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Director, Capabilities Pillar Lead

London, United Kingdom

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Date live: 26/09/2025

Business Area: GTB SLT

Area of Expertise: Change

Contract: Permanent

Reference Code: JR-0000074031

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Barclays Change

Change leads and oversees transformational change initiatives at Barclays. Your role will involve managing projects and programs that drive strategic improvements and ensure successful implementation of change across the organization.

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Colleague Capabilities Lead will be accountable for defining and executing the Capabilities Pillar within Barclays’ Corporate Bank-wide transformation. This senior leadership role will focus on enabling the organisation with the skills, capabilities, and technology tools required to accelerate the pace and quality of change delivery. As part of the Transformation Leadership Team, the Director will partner closely with the Heads of Ways of Working and Transformation Office to ensure that colleagues across the bank are equipped to deliver consistently, adopt modern practices, and leverage innovative tools at scale.

Key Responsibilities

  • Enterprise Capability Strategy
    • Define and lead the Capabilities Pillar strategy aligned with Barclays’ transformation agenda.
    • Partner with senior executives to embed capability building as a core enabler of pace, quality, and client outcomes.
    • Drive alignment between skills development, tooling adoption, and business transformation priorities.
  • Skills Transformation
    • Establish a front to back comprehensive skills transformation framework (to include gap analysis and learning pathways), identifying critical capabilities for the future of banking for both job families and specific role-based expertise requirements.
    • Oversee the design and rollout of enterprise-wide training and certification programmes, including Product Owner, Agile, and Leadership enablement.
    • Partner with HR, Learning & Development, and business leaders to track skill progression and ensure investment delivers measurable outcomes.
  • Technology & Tools Enablement
    • Lead the adoption of modern technology platforms and tools (e.g., Jira/Confluence, DevOps toolchains, collaboration platforms) to support agile ways of working.
    • Ensure tools are configured, scaled, and embedded consistently across the organisation.
    • Partner with CIO and platform leads to align tool strategy with enterprise architecture and engineering standards.
  • Change Leadership & Adoption
    • Act as a senior change leader, engaging executives and leaders to role-model behaviours that accelerate adoption.
    • Establish “train-the-trainer” and change champion networks to embed skills and tools sustainably.
    • Support cultural change by reinforcing Barclays’ values and driving accountability for new ways of working.
  • Measurement & Outcomes
    • Define and track capability KPIs (e.g., % certified, backlog readiness, tool adoption rates, quality of execution).
    • Report progress and impact to the Transformation Leadership Team, ExCo, and Board as required.
    • Link capability investments to tangible improvements in pace, quality, and client delivery.

Essential Skills

  • Setting up and governing Agile collaboration tools such as Jira, Confluence, Miro, and Slack/Teams to enable backlog, sprint, and PI planning 
  • Establishing engineering foundations, including source control (Git), CI/CD pipelines, code quality, and security scanning 
  • Implementing testing frameworks (unit, integration, regression, performance) and ensuring test data and environments are production-ready 
  • Aligning product and platform backlogs with MVP scope, value streams, dependencies, and outcome-driven metrics 
  • Proven leadership experience in enterprise-scale transformation in a global, complex organisation.
  • Deep expertise in skills transformation, talent development, and learning enablement.
  • Strong knowledge of agile delivery models, DevOps tooling, and collaboration platforms.
  • Ability to design and execute strategy that connects training, tools, and measurable delivery outcomes.
  • Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, with experience working at MD/ExCo level.

Stakeholder Management and Leadership

  • Build strong and productive relationships with critical partners across the Corporate Bank and broader BX business area
  • Build strong and productive relationships within BX and functional partners including HR, Finance and Corporate Communications
  • Ensure effective development and understanding of the business’ plans across stakeholder groups
  • Create a shared understanding and sense of urgency and excitement around the targeted culture as well as targeted business results via digital and technology strategies – taking strong action when necessary to ensure individual actions, processes and practices are aligned to what the business needs from stakeholders around the Corporate Bank
  • Resource, develop and retain a motivated high performing team committed to delivering agreed objectives successfully, through each other and in partnership with colleagues within the business and across the Corporate Bank
  • Agree appropriately stretching performance and development objectives for all direct reports, providing regular feedback and coaching to ensure their maximum potential is achieved
  • Be a role model for our people demonstrating advanced leadership behaviours, excellent communications skills and a team working approach to delivering results

Risk and Control Objective

Ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise-Wide Risk Management Framework and internal Barclays Policies and Policy Standards

Purpose of the role

To support the organisation, achieve its strategic objectives  by ensuring the business is ready to receive the agreed change (address business problems and opportunities), ensuring that change initiatives are successfully assessed and implemented to enable them to be embedded in the organisation.  

Accountabilities

  • Identification and analysis of business impact and opportunities that require change within the organisation.
  • Development of business readiness strategies that will help to ensure the successful implementation of change initiatives.
  • Communication with stakeholders, including senior management, project teams, and external partners, to ensure that they are informed about change initiatives and that their needs and expectations are being met.
  • Collaboration with Client Readiness, Operational Readiness & Tech Delivery to ensure business, sales, operations, client servicing and functional partners are prepared for a smooth transition of technology delivery into BAU (including Target Operating Model, Training, Communications, Service Agreements.) .
  • Management of resistance to change, ensuring that stakeholders are engaged and that their concerns are addressed.
  • Review of business readiness plans and status reports in conjunction with change delivery managers to ensure business readiness activities completed on time including newly identified risks, issues and dependencies.
  • Collaboration with project teams to ensure that change initiatives are aligned with project objectives and that change management activities are integrated into project plans.
  • Provision of guidance and support to business stakeholders, ensuring that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to implement change initiatives successfully.

Director Expectations

  • To manage a business function, providing significant input to function wide strategic initiatives. Contribute to and influence policy and procedures for the function and plan, manage and consult on multiple complex and critical strategic projects, which may be business wide..
  • They manage the direction of a large team or sub-function, leading other people managers and embedding a performance culture aligned to the values of the business. Or for an individual contributor, they lead organisation wide projects and act as deep technical expert and thought leader, identifying new ways of working and collaborating cross functionally. They will train, guide and coach less experienced specialists and provide information affecting long term profits, organisational risks and strategic decisions..
  • Provide expert advice to senior functional management and committees to influence decisions made outside of own function, offering significant input to function wide strategic initiatives.
  • Manage, coordinate and enable resourcing, budgeting and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
  • Escalates breaches of policies / procedure appropriately.
  • Foster and guide compliance, ensure regulations are observed that relevant processes in place to facilitate adherence.
  • Focus on the external environment, regulators, or advocacy groups to both monitor and influence on behalf of Barclays, when appropriate.
  • Demonstrate extensive knowledge of how the function integrates with the business division / Group to achieve the overall business objectives.
  • Maintain broad and comprehensive knowledge of industry theories and practices within own discipline alongside up-to-date relevant sector / functional knowledge, and insight into external market developments / initiatives.
  • Use interpretative thinking and advanced analytical skills to solve problems and design solutions in often complex/ sensitive situations.
  • Exercise management authority to make significant decisions and certain strategic decisions or recommendations within own area.
  • Negotiate with and influence stakeholders at a senior level both internally and externally.
  • Act as principal contact point for key clients and counterparts in other functions/ businesses divisions.
  • Mandated as a spokesperson for the function and business division.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate a clear set of leadership behaviours to create an environment for colleagues to thrive and deliver to a consistently excellent standard. The four LEAD behaviours are: L – Listen and be authentic, E – Energise and inspire, A – Align across the enterprise, D – Develop others.

All colleagues will be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship – our moral compass, helping us do what we believe is right. They will also be expected to demonstrate the Barclays Mindset – to Empower, Challenge and Drive – the operating manual for how we behave.

Barclays welcomes applications from all candidates and is committed to ensuring reasonable adjustments (accommodations) are put in place to allow for a fair and inclusive recruitment process. For more information and how to request one, please review Adjustments to the recruitment process.

We’re a global, vital and highly respected financial organisation with an inspiring Purpose. Operating in 39 countries and employing around 100,000 people across the world, we help communities, individuals and businesses thrive. And we’ve created financial solutions and technology that the world now takes for granted. A career with us can offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience, and the chance to learn from some of the best minds in technology and finance.

To find out more about Barclays' strategy please click here.

We are an equal opportunity employer and opposed to discrimination on any grounds. It is the policy of Barclays to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, colour, creed, religion, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law.

Barclays is required by law to confirm that you have the Legal Right to Work in any role that you apply for. If you currently hold a work visa sponsored by Barclays, or you would require sponsorship from Barclays, you must declare this as part of your application. Sponsored visas are role and entity specific and any changes must be reviewed. It is important that you ensure you are working on the correct visa at all times. Failure to accurately disclose your visa status or Legal Right to Work may result in your application or any employment offer being withdrawn at any time.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

This is Barclays London

Our global HQ is in Canary Wharf, at the heart of London’s financial district. There are over 10,000 colleagues here – a hugely diverse workforce made up of the world’s best financial and tech talent. If you love the buzz of city life, this is the place to be.

Supporting active commuters

Cycle or run to work? We’ve got everything you need – from cycle hire and parking areas to new showering and changing facilities.

Time to connect

CoSpace is our drop-in co-working space, where networks are built, problems are solved collectively and our community is strengthened.

Wellbeing in focus

Our Wellness Suite includes a well-equipped gym and exercise studios, and provides personal training sessions and massage therapy.

Advanced trading floors

Our new trading floors enhance communication, integrate sustainability, and support health and wellbeing through innovative design and British-sourced furniture.

Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more

Application Process

Your application

We’ll ask for information about you, your CV and cover letter.

1

Your assessment

Covering your behaviours and ability at work.

2

Your interview

Exploring your past experiences and skills.

3

Next step

We’ll request additional information so that you can complete our screening process

4
How to ApplyRead our FAQ's
Barclays

Working flexibly

We’re committed to providing a supportive and inclusive culture and environment for you to work in. This environment recognises and supports your personal needs, alongside the professional needs of our business. If you'd like to explore flexible working arrangements, please discuss this with the hiring manager. Your request will be reviewed in-line with the requirements of the role/business needs of the team.

Hybrid working

We have a structured approach to hybrid working, where colleagues work at an onsite location on fixed, ‘anchor’, days, as set by the business area. Please discuss the working pattern requirements for the role you are applying for with the hiring manager. Please note that working arrangements may be subject to change on reasonable notice to ensure we meet the needs of our business.

Barclays is built on an international scale.

Our geographic reach, our wide variety of functions, businesses, roles and locations reflect the rich diversity of our worldwide customer base. All of which means we offer incredible variety, depth and breadth of experience.
And the chance to learn from a globally diverse mix of colleagues, including some of the very best minds in banking, finance, technology and business. Throughout, we’ll encourage you to embrace mobility, exploring every part of our operations as you build your career.

Find more information

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Multicultural ERGs at Barclays

Be you. Be valued. Belong.

We celebrate the unique perspectives and experiences each individual brings, believing our differences make us stronger and drive success.

You can learn more about our commitment to our colleague on our Inclusion and Opportunities page.

Learn more