The role in a nutshell: The role in a nutshell: The Development Manager – Digital Platform and API is accountable for the product ownership, strategy (in conjunction with BTS management), delivery and life-cycle management of Toyota Financial Services UK’s Digital Platform and API (Integration Layer). The role ensures Digital applications and API’s/integrations are designed, governed, delivered and evolved to support business capabilities, enable digital transformation, and align with enterprise architecture, security and regulatory standards. The role operates as a Product Owner across both API capabilities and Digital Platform; managing priorities, roadmaps, delivery outcomes, costs/budgets and stakeholder relationships. The role will manage a team of two Solutions Architects and external development partners. It includes line management responsibility for the API and Digital Platform team, oversight of platform capability growth, and management of vendor relationships. The role will support the evolution of Digital Platforms from an initial customer portal replacement solution into a broader strategic application delivery capability within the organisation. What you’ll be doing: API & Digital Platform Product Ownership: Own the product vision, roadmap and delivery priorities for APIs, integrations and the Digital platform. Treat APIs, integrations and platform capabilities as products with defined consumers, value outcomes and lifecycle management. Prioritise the product backlog based on business value, risk, technical health and strategic alignment Digital Platform Management: Lead the development, adoption and governance of the Digital platform Oversee delivery of applications and enhancements, ensuring alignment to business needs, architecture principles, security guidelines and quality standards Shape the evolution of Digital Platform as a strategic digital delivery platform Standards & Architecture: Define and maintain API standards in collaboration with architects and vendors Support the evolution towards event-driven and platform-based integration models Submit/Present to the ARB and TDA (UK and Regional) Agile Delivery & Ways of Working Establish and run agile ceremonies including planning, refinement, reviews, and retrospectives Delivery & Lifecycle Management: Own end-to-end delivery from discovery through design, build, release Project Manage delivery of small works Service Design, Transition and Operational support Establish agile delivery practices including planning, refinement, reviews and retrospectives Own and prioritise (in conjunction with business stakeholders) the API/Digital Platform backlog based on business value, risk, and technical health Coordinate dependencies across teams, vendors and business stakeholders Ensure operational readiness, including support and incident management processes Governance, Risk & Compliance: Own and operate API/Digital Platform governance aligned to enterprise IT governance structures Ensure APIs/Digital Platforms comply with security, GDPR, GISG, ISO27001 and regulatory expectations Partner with Architecture, Information Security, Compliance and business stakeholders Manage remediation activities and governance through CAB, ARB and relevant technical forums Partner with Information Security, Legal, Compliance, and the Data Protection Officer Align with TFS project frameworks Balancing agile delivery with existing enterprise governance and controls Scaling API/Digital Platform governance without creating unnecessary bureaucracy Vendor Management: Manage vendor relationships to ensure capability, delivery quality and value for money Align with internal TFS vendor management processes Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Build strong relationships with business stakeholders, IT teams, and Group colleagues Manage Digital Platform and API vendor relationships and vendor assessment processes Represent the API function at governance and design forums People Leadership: Provide line management and professional oversight for the Solutions Architects Potential increase in team size (over time) subject to the adoption of Digital Platform Financial Management: Align with BTS finance team to mange cost control Manage Procurement (Purchase Orders and Invoices) Budgeting across API/Digital Platform Requirements Key Experience & Skills: Experience working as a ‘Product Manager / Product Owner’ in an IT or digital environment Experience managing application delivery, platforms, APIs or integration capabilities Strong understanding of ‘API concepts, including SOAP, REST, synchronous vs asynchronous APIs, and integration patterns Experience working within ‘enterprise IT governance’ structures. Proven stakeholder management and communication skills Experience working with architecture, security, and engineering teams Familiarity with agile delivery frameworks and practices Proven experience in developing, implementing, maintaining and leading an effective information security control assurance programme Strong stakeholder management skills, including technical members of staff and senior executives, stakeholder negotiation and influencing Good analytical skills Strong understanding of GDPR & ISO27001 Product Owner / Product Management certification (e.g. CSPO, PSPO, SAFe POPM) and advantage Agile certification (Scrum, SAFe, or equivalent) Experience with organisational governance forums (ARB, CAB, Technical Forums) Attributes & Behaviours: Strong written and verbal communication skills Ability to interact professionally and influence and collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Keen problem solver and critical thinker Strong multi-tasker, able to work effectively on multiple projects at one time in a busy and time-driven work environment Proactive and self-motivated Demonstrates leadership behaviours, coaching mindset and commitment to team development Benefits At Toyota Financial Services (TFS) it is more than just an externally bench