Business Engagement Manager - IT

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,500 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

We are looking for a Business Engagement Manager to act as the strategic bridge between IT and the business.

This role sits at the front door of IT, partnering with business leaders to understand challenges, identify opportunities, shape technology demand and ensure the organisation gets maximum value from technology investments. You will build trusted relationships with stakeholders, influence decision-making, and help translate business priorities into practical technology solutions and roadmaps.

This is not a technical delivery role. Instead, we are looking for someone who can listen, challenge, advise and build credibility with business leaders while working closely with IT teams to ensure the right solutions are prioritised and delivered.

You will operate as a trusted advisor within your business area.

• Strategic Business Partnering
• Serve as the primary point of contact between IT and assigned business functions.
• Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders and department leaders.
• Understand business challenges, opportunities, objectives and pain points.
• Translate business strategies into technology opportunities and improvement initiatives.
• Facilitate strategic planning discussions and help shape future technology roadmaps.
• Provide guidance on technology capabilities, innovation opportunities, AI solutions and digital transformation initiatives.
• Demand Management & Portfolio Shaping
• Capture, assess and qualify business demand for technology solutions.
• Lead discussions to define scope, benefits, priorities and expected outcomes.
• Challenge and refine business requirements to ensure clarity and value.
• Develop business cases and support ROI assessments.
• Collaborate with PMO, architecture and delivery teams to prioritise initiatives and maintain portfolio visibility.
• Ensure technology investments align with business strategy and enterprise standards.

• Act as a trusted escalation point for IT service concerns and business issues.
• Gather feedback from stakeholders and help drive improvements in service delivery.
• Work closely with service, operations and delivery teams to resolve challenges and improve user experience.
• Ensure business functions receive effective support from IT and maintain confidence in technology services.
• Champion continuous improvement and simplification across business processes and technology platforms.

• Participate in governance forums, leadership meetings and prioritisation discussions.
• Support decision-making through clear assessment of risks, value, dependencies and organisational readiness.
• Collaborate across architecture, cyber security, data, operations and project delivery teams.
• Ensure enterprise-wide implications are considered when shaping new initiatives.

• Naturally curious and passionate about understanding how businesses operate.
• Able to build credibility quickly with both business and IT stakeholders.
• Comfortable challenging thinking and influencing decisions constructively.
• A strong listener who can identify the root cause behind business problems.
• Commercially aware and capable of evaluating value, benefits and return on investment.
• Confident navigating ambiguity and helping stakeholders…