Platform Lead

Description

Job Summary: Santander is seeking a Platform Lead with high responsibility and visibility to lead a technology unit, manage budgets and teams, and ensure the delivery and operation of critical products. Key Highlights: 1. Lead a high-responsibility Technology unit 2. Direct impact on the delivery and operation of critical products 3. End-to-end budget management and team leadership Platform Lead Country: Spain **NOW IS THE TIME** Santander (www.santander.com) is evolving from being a **globally impactful brand** to a **technology-driven organization**, with people at the heart of this journey. Together, we are leading a **customer-centric transformation** that values **disruptive thinking**, the courage to challenge what’s possible, and the ability to **innovate**. This is more than a strategic shift: **it’s an opportunity to grow, learn, and make real impact**. Our mission is to help more **people and businesses thrive**. We embrace a strong risk culture and expect all our teams to adopt a proactive and responsible approach to risk management. **Santander Digital Services** is Santander’s technology and operations team. We strongly believe in aligning technology with business needs and recognize that our work not only delivers value to users, people, and communities but also fosters individual creativity. Our team of over 10,000 professionals across 8 countries (Spain, Portugal, Poland, the UK, the United States, Mexico, Chile, and Brazil) develops and implements financial solutions across a broad spectrum of technologies (including Blockchain, Big Data, and Angular, among others) on both local and cloud-based platforms. **THE IMPACT YOU WILL GENERATE** Santander Digital Services is seeking a **Platform Lead** based in Madrid. We are looking for someone to **lead a high-responsibility and highly visible Technology unit**, with direct impact on the delivery and operation of critical products, end-to-end budget management (RUN and CHANGE), and executive-level engagement with internal and external stakeholders—including direct interaction with institutional client executive teams. We are redefining how we work through innovation, cutting-edge technology, collaboration, and the freedom to explore new ideas. Your **mission** is to ensure end\-to\-end Delivery (CHANGE) and operational sustainability (RUN) of the products and technological capabilities under your responsibility—leading teams (internal and external), managing the budget, aligning priorities, and guaranteeing compliance with corporate, regulatory, and technical excellence standards. In this role, your key **responsibilities** will include: **Unit Governance and Budget Management** * Budget management for RUN and CHANGE activities across assigned Technology teams. * Monitoring cost models, financial control, forecasting, and decisions regarding efficient resource allocation. **Team and Vendor Leadership** * Leading and developing IT Leads within your areas of responsibility. * Comprehensive management of internal and external teams: culture, growth, performance, sizing, and vendor governance (quality, costs, capacity, compliance). **Contractual Responsibility and Institutional Engagement (High Visibility)** * Responsible for the Technology area under Santander’s contract framework for the institutional client domain, with direct engagement with the client’s executive team. * Management of the external audit team associated with the contract. **Technology Delivery and Product/Capability Execution** * Lead, plan (medium/long-term), coordinate, and execute delivery, ensuring consistency in priorities, standards, quality, and outcomes. * Drive alignment where cross-dependencies and conflicting priorities exist, ensuring timely decision-making and removal of impediments. * Ensure consistency of delivery and operational metrics (quality, stability, performance, SLAs) and promote a continuous improvement culture. **Compliance, Risk Control, and Technical Excellence** * Ensure compliance with regulatory/business requirements, as well as with Architecture, Security, Risk, Data, Testing strategies and policies—and with technical debt management/containment, as well as alignment with Chapters on technical excellence and engineering practices. * Ensure execution of contingency plans defined by IT Risk areas. **RUN Sustainability and Operational Stability** * Guarantee RUN sustainability: scalability, observability, resilience, and stable operations. * Govern end\-to\-end operations with focus on continuity, support, and user/operational experience. **Advanced Stakeholder Management** * Manage “own” stakeholders (Business, Operations, CAUs, Training, Architecture, Cyber, Institutional Client, etc.) and cross-functional stakeholders (Payments, Accounting, ATMs, Assisted Channels, Websites, Legal, Change Management, etc.), building trust-based relationships and sustained alignment. * Ability to communicate at an executive level, escalate risks or sensitive decisions when appropriate, and handle complex conversations with sound judgment. **WHAT YOU WILL BRING TO THE TEAM** Our people are our greatest strength. Each person contributes unique perspectives that make us stronger as a team and as an organization. We value who they are and amplify what they bring. The following requirements represent the **essential knowledge, skills, and competencies for this role**. **Professional Experience** * \+8 years of proven experience leading complex, strategic, and multidisciplinary technology initiatives (mandatory) * Solid experience managing teams (direct and indirect) and vendors in demanding environments (mandatory) * Experience in delivery (CHANGE) and operation (RUN) of platforms and products with high criticality and cross-functional dependencies (mandatory) * Experience in budget management, financial control, and cost/value-based decision-making (mandatory) **Education** * University degree in Engineering, Economics, Business Administration, or related disciplines (mandatory) * Additional training in project management and transformation (desirable) **Languages** * Spanish: native or bilingual (mandatory) * English: advanced level (desirable) **Key Skills (Mandatory)** * Knowledge of cost models, budgeting, and financial control. * Ability to structure complex analyses and translate them into executable plans. * Ability to combine strategic thinking with practical execution. * Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills. * Tolerance for complexity, executive judgment, and composure in high-visibility contexts. **WE VALUE YOUR IMPACT** Your contribution matters—and we recognize it. At Santander, you can expect a fair and competitive compensation package that reflects your impact and the value you deliver. Take a moment to understand what we mean: * **Unlimited Growth.** We empower our teams with **global opportunities and extensive career paths**, enabling them to go further. * Flexibility that works. Enjoy a **hybrid work model**—some days remote and others in the office with your team—plus flexible hours. * **Continuous Learning.** Access hundreds of courses on our platforms, including exclusive access to our global learning space: **Santander Open Academy (**www.santanderopenacademy.com) * **Competitive Rewards.** Receive a **highly competitive salary plus a bonus** for your achievements, motivating you to keep growing with us. * **Financial Benefits.** Access preferential banking conditions, special loan interest rates, life insurance, and much more. * **Your Health Is Our Priority.** Through **BeHealthy**, our global wellbeing program, we **promote holistic wellbeing**: physical, emotional, social, and financial. * **Family Comes First.** We know your family is everything. That’s why we offer childcare support and family programs tailored to every life stage. * **Always By Your Side.** Access **Santander Contigo**, our employee and family program offering legal advisory services, emotional support, and administrative assistance. * **Extra Benefits.** Gym/WellHub access, on-site medical centers at several of our facilities, meal subsidies, parking, shuttle service across various points in Madrid, plus exclusive discounts and offers for Santander employees. And this is just the beginning… we’ll tell you much more once you join! We’re here to **keep you motivated**, help you **achieve your goals**, and **celebrate your achievements** at every step of the way. **LOCAL COMPLIANCE** Santander takes pride in being an organization that provides equal opportunity regardless of age, gender, disability, marital status, race, religion, or sexual orientation. We are committed to delivering an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for everyone. **WHAT’S NEXT?** If everything you’ve just read resonates with you, apply and join our team. **Ready to Take the Next Step?** \#LI\-FB1