Job Description

Who are we?
Sanlam Group Technology is responsible for the provision of a digitally enabled technology service as a group COE, drive business and transformation and provide group-wide digital and data architecture. We operate the various technology platforms and shared services, ensure Cyber and Information Security resilience, and act as technology governance and risk orchestrator for technology across Sanlam.
What will you do?
This is a technical (Engineering) management role, reporting to the SGT Executive Head: Application Platforms.
The Application Manager role is a role within the SGT Application Management structure and is specifically intended to bring technical oversight, operational stability and disciplined engineering practices to the applications being developed and supported.
The Application Manager is accountable for the end-to-end management, stability, and evolution of a defined portfolio of business applications, comprising both bespoke-built and vendor-supplied solutions. The role involves leading software engineering teams, establishing and maintaining modern engineering practices, coordinating with product vendors, and ensuring delivery of high-quality, secure, and reliable software that supports Sanlam's business objectives.
This individual will provide both strategic and operational leadership to ensure that applications remain fit-for-purpose, cost-effective, compliant, and continuously improved within an Agile delivery environment.
What will make you successful in this role?
Application Portfolio Management

• Take ownership of a small portfolio of applications, including software development lifecycle management, FinOps, budgeting, cost recovery and performance monitoring.
• Ensure applications remain aligned with business needs, technology strategy, and compliance standards.
• Develop and maintain application roadmaps (Functional & technical) in collaboration with business stakeholders and architecture teams.
• Coordinate operations including upgrades, patches, and enhancements for both bespoke and vendor systems.

Software Engineering Leadership

• Establish and maintain sound software engineering practices for bespoke applications (Including Coding standards,
• CI/CD, test automation, code reviews, documentation).
• Foster a DevSecOps culture within the team to ensure fast, secure, and reliable delivery.
• Introduce improvements in tooling, testing, deployment, and observability.
• Ensure all solutions adhere to Sanlam's architectural and security standards.
• Consistently maintain evergreen principles.

People and Team Management

• Lead and mentor a small multidisciplinary Agile delivery team (developers, analysts, testers, test automation engineers, DevOps engineers).
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Support career development and skills growth within the team.
• Ensure capacity planning, resourcing, and succession planning for key roles.

Agile Delivery & Stakeholder Management

• Operate within an Agile framework, while being empowered to adapt or enhance delivery processes as needed.
• Facilitate effective collaboration between product owners, business stakeholders, and technical teams.
• Drive delivery predictability, transparency, and quality.
• Ensure incidents, defects, and enhancements are managed effectively and business value is optimised.

Governance, Risk, and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with IT policies, data protection standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Resolve critical compliance and audit gaps.
• Manage application risks, including technical debt, obsolescence, and security vulnerabilities.
• Prepare and present regular performance, risk, and roadmap reports to senior stakeholders.

Qualification

• Grade 12
• Appropriate Technical Post Matric 3-year qualification in Information Systems or Engineering.
• Management training would be beneficial.

Experience:

• 5+ Years of experience in managing software development & Support teams.
• 10+ Years of IT experience in general.
• 5+ Years of proven experience regarding enterprise application ownership.
• Experience in Cloud environments would be beneficial
• Working experience in Microsoft and Open Systems technologies would be beneficial

Knowledge:

• Agile software development practices.
• DevSecOps and modern engineering practices.
• Good understanding of application architecture.
• Significant knowledge of Microsoft and Open Systems technologies

Personal Attributes
Balances stakeholders - Contributing independently
Collaborates - Contributing independently
Cultivates innovation - Contributing independently
Drives results - Contributing strategically
Nimble learning - Contributing independently
Build a successful career with us
We're all about building strong, lasting relationships with our employees. We know that you have hopes for your future - your career, your personal development and of achieving great things. We pride ourselves in helping our employees to realise their worth. Through its five business clusters - Sanlam Fintech, Sanlam Life and Savings, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Allianz, Santam, as well as MiWay and the Group Office - the group provides many opportunities for growth and development.
Core Competencies
Being resilient - Contributing through others
Collaborates - Contributing through others
Customer focus - Contributing through others
Cultivates innovation - Contributing through others
Drives results - Contributing through others
Turnaround time
The shortlisting process will only start once the application due date has been reached. The time taken to complete this process will depend on how far you progress and the availability of managers.
Our commitment to transformation
The Sanlam Group is committed to achieving transformation and embraces diversity. This commitment is what drives us to achieve a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace as we believe that these are key components to ensuring a thriving and sustainable business in South Africa. The Group's Employment Equity plan and targets will be considered as part of the selection process.

Skills Required