Job Description

If you are a current Linnaeus Associate, you will need to apply internally. In order to do this, please contact our Talent Acquisition team (details can be found via The Link) and someone will be in touch to discuss and progress your application.

Applications Lead

Location:

Hybrid (working from the Shirley office 1-2 times a week)

Department:

Digital - Central Support

Reports to:

Applications Manager

About Linnaeus

Linnaeus is a forward-thinking partnership of highly respected primary care and referral veterinary practices across the UK and Ireland, comprising some of the best clinicians in the profession.


While each of our practices is unique, we're united by two key principles -- our

commitment to excellence

and our

passion to make A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS

.


We carefully select our partner practices to ensure the highest levels of patient care and foster a growing community of veterinary professionals who share our values. Across small animal, farm, and equine care, we're proud to support a culture that's collaborative, compassionate, and focused on continual improvement.


At Linnaeus, our

Five Principles

guide everything we do:

Quality

- We deliver the highest standards of care and service.

Responsibility

- We take ownership and act with integrity.

Mutuality

- We seek shared benefit for all stakeholders.

Efficiency

- We maximise the value of our resources.

Freedom

- We maintain independence to make the best decisions for pets and people.

The Role

As Linnaeus continues its exciting digital transformation journey, we are seeking an experienced and motivated

Applications Lead

to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our technology estate.


You will drive continuous service improvement and support the applications team and landscape including legacy and new applications.



This is a fantastic opportunity to join a dynamic digital team within a growing organisation that values innovation, collaboration, and professional development.

Key Responsibilities

Champion and evolve frameworks to translate stakeholder needs into effective technical solutions, including user stories, process maps, and technical requirements. Liaise with suppliers and third-party vendors to assess project proposals and ensure alignment with Linnaeus' needs. Deputise for the Applications Manager, supporting escalations, resource allocation, and decision-making. Identify resource and skill requirements to support system activities. Define and document test processes to ensure successful technical delivery and solution validation. Supervise testing resources and ensure adherence to quality and risk management processes. Collaborate closely with technical teams to deliver system projects that meet business and technical requirements. Support and coordinate system upgrades and maintenance activities, ensuring standard operating procedures are followed. Ensure service transition processes are followed and that comprehensive support materials (training, FAQs, documentation) are available. Drive continuous service improvement and support the governance and structure of application projects. Assist in identifying and mitigating risks within the applications landscape.

Experience (Essential)

5+ years' experience in IT Systems, leading application delivery. 3+ years' experience in stakeholder management. Proven experience in requirements gathering, testing documentation, and managing delivery teams or resources. Strong understanding of

Prince2, Agile, or DevOps

methodologies. Experience in vendor management and risk/change management.

Knowledge & Qualifications

Strong grasp of the

Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)

and Agile/Scrum practices. Understanding of

programming concepts, integrations, databases, and application security.

Degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience. Familiarity with ITIL, DevOps, or Agile delivery frameworks (certifications desirable).

Skills & Attributes

Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences. Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organisational abilities. Comfortable working independently and managing multiple priorities. Collaborative, proactive, and adaptable mindset. Credible and confident in navigating change and influencing across teams.

What We Offer

Competitive salary and benefits package. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Opportunity to contribute to a major digital transformation initiative. Supportive, inclusive, and growth-oriented culture.

#LICP-1


#LI-HYBRID


We are proud to be Linnaeus, part of Mars. Linnaeus is a forward-thinking group of highly respected primary care and specialist referral practices in the UK and Ireland. Being family owned and part of Mars Veterinary Health, the largest veterinary company in the world, allows us to focus on advancing the veterinary profession to provide industry-leading pet care and unique career opportunities for our people. Why Linnaeus? - We pride ourselves in offering high-quality excellence of service and clinical care for our clients and their pets - We lead on sustainability and collectively drive positive change for people, pets and the planet - We prioritise your mental health and wellbeing - valuing equity, diversity and inclusion - We support your personal and professional development with best-in-class career frameworks and training programmes. We will empower and support you to grow your career from day one. We team up within our Mars family in partnership for a stronger future. Linnaeus is an equal-opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We treat each other fairly and equitably and we are committed to fostering a culture that is inclusive and diverse for all our Associates. At Linnaeus, A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS starts with a better world for our people. If you would like to apply for this role, please click the Apply Button or for more information, please feel free to reach out directly to our Talent Acquisition team at careers@linnaeusgroup.co.uk