At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead service transitions, ensuring new IT services are ready and supportable.
- Company: Join AQA, a forward-thinking organisation focused on digital transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible hybrid working, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of exciting projects like AI initiatives and digital exams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring critical systems are reliable from day one.
- Qualifications: Experience in service transition or IT project delivery; strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54300 - 60700 € per year.
If you enjoy bringing order to complexity and making things work seamlessly behind the scenes, this could be a great fit. As a Service Transition Lead, you'll play a key role in ensuring new IT services don't just go live-but land well. You'll be at the centre of change, helping shape how services transition into real-world use across AQA.
Purpose of the Role
You'll make sure new and changing services are introduced in a way that is controlled, secure and fully supportable. Working closely with projects and programmes, you'll ensure everything is in place before go-live-from support models and documentation through to stakeholder readiness.
This is an opportunity to join a growing function at AQA. Service Transition is now embedded into the wider project delivery framework, meaning every project flows through it. With major programmes on the horizon-including digital transformation, AI-driven initiatives and the move toward digital exams-you'll be part of shaping how these services land and operate successfully for colleagues and learners alike.
Key Responsibilities
- Leading service transition across projects, ensuring services are ready, supportable and aligned at go-live
- Working with project teams to define and secure service acceptance criteria, including running readiness checkpoints
- Connecting teams across Enterprise Technology to ensure support teams and stakeholders are prepared for live service
What We Are Looking For
You'll suit this role if you're confident working across teams, comfortable challenging where needed and focused on outcomes.
- Experience in service transition, service management or IT project delivery, or a similar governance role
- Understanding of ITIL principles (certification helpful but not essential)
- Ability to influence and guide stakeholders, including handling challenging conversations
- Experience working across multiple teams or suppliers in an IT environment
- Strong communication, with a calm and pragmatic approach
What's in It for You
This is a role where your work has real impact-making sure critical systems are ready and reliable from day one.
- Opportunity to build expertise in service transition and IT service management
- A 35-hour working week with flexible, hybrid working
- Exposure to high-profile, business-critical programmes.
- 25 days' annual leave (rising to 30), plus Christmas closure days
- Excellent pension (up to 11.5% employer contribution)
Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone-regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background-is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Application Process
To apply, please submit your CV along with a short cover statement outlining your interest.
Application deadline: Sunday 31 May 2026
Interview process:
- Stage 1: Microsoft Teams interview
- Stage 2: Face-to-face interview at our Manchester office
Service Transition Lead in Manchester employer: AQA
AQA is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a supportive work culture where your contributions directly impact the success of critical IT services. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, AQA fosters an environment where all voices are heard, and provides opportunities for professional development through exposure to high-profile projects and a flexible hybrid working model. Enjoy a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and an excellent pension scheme while being part of a forward-thinking organisation in the heart of Manchester.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Transition Lead in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at AQA or similar organisations. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just help you land that Service Transition Lead role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for service transition roles and practice your answers. We want you to showcase your experience in IT project delivery and your understanding of ITIL principles with confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your soft skills! As a Service Transition Lead, you'll need to influence and guide stakeholders. Be ready to share examples of how you've handled challenging conversations and worked across teams in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team at AQA.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Transition Lead in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Service Transition Lead role. Highlight any relevant experience in service transition or IT project delivery, and don’t forget to mention your understanding of ITIL principles!
Craft a Compelling Cover Statement:Your cover statement is your chance to shine! Keep it concise but impactful. Explain why you’re interested in the role and how your background makes you a great fit for AQA. Show us your passion for making services work seamlessly!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:As a Service Transition Lead, strong communication is key. In your application, demonstrate your ability to influence and guide stakeholders. Use clear and professional language, and don’t shy away from sharing examples of challenging conversations you've navigated successfully.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at AQA
✨Know Your Service Transition Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your service transition knowledge, especially around ITIL principles. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed transitions in the past and how you can apply that experience to AQA's projects.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves connecting teams and influencing stakeholders, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Think of examples where you've navigated challenging conversations and how you ensured everyone was on the same page during a project.
✨Prepare for Real-World Scenarios
Expect questions about specific situations you might face as a Service Transition Lead. Prepare to share how you'd handle readiness checkpoints or ensure support teams are ready for go-live. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Emphasise Your Teamwork Experience
This role requires collaboration across multiple teams, so highlight your experience working in cross-functional environments. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to lead, influence, and work effectively with diverse groups to achieve common goals.
