Lead Service Design Manager in Preston

hackajob is collaborating with BAE Critical Skills to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.

Job Location: Preston or Frimley – Hybrid - Team meetings on site 1 x month in Preston. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Up to £72,000 depending on experience

Who we are: Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow – shaping a safer future, for all of us.

Role Description: Would you like to be part of a forward-thinking part of the business, which is going through a period of sustained growth? The Lead Service Design Manager will be accountable to the Head of Service Transition and will be responsible for managing a team of Service Design Managers. You will be responsible for managing work assignments to the team, reviewing deliverables and developing best practice. You will act on behalf of the Service Operations team as gatekeeper for services entering operational support to ensure mature Service are created and tested sufficiently to ensure acceptance at Operation Readiness Reviews.

Core Duties:

• Managing a team of Service Design Managers including regular 1:1’s and Development Reviews
• Reviewing Service Design methodology and best practice with an aim to support continuous improvement
• Manage team project work assignments to ensure team is not over/under loaded.
• Provide support to Project Managers to aid financial Service resource estimate to inform project budgets
• Provide regular project status and risk reporting to Head of Service Transition
• Review and approve team deliverables including Service Design Packs
• Provide User Experience assessments
• Provide Senior Service Design Manager support to Projects as required (no more than 50% of available capacity)
• Provide assurance to strategic partner projects

Essential Skills:

• Detailed knowledge of service design, including ITIL service design package
• Excellent understanding of ITIL processes, along with a qualification/experience in ITIL is desirable
• Good technical knowledge of end user devices/systems e.g. desktops, laptops, tablets, mobile devices and the back-office systems supporting them
• Experience working in an Agile environment (JIRA, Confluence)
• A clear understanding of user experience and use-centre design

The Service Design team: This is an opportunity to lead a friendly and experienced team of professionals, fostering a supportive and collaborative working environment. The role offers a great deal of variety, with regular opportunities to support on a range of projects with different levels of complexity, keeping the work both engaging and challenging. You’ll also have a high level of autonomy, allowing you to manage your own workload and make decisions independently. At any one time, your team members will be responsible for managing between five and ten projects, ensuring they are delivered efficiently and to a high standard. This is an exciting time for Shared Services, as Enterprise IT goes through a transformation period.

Why BAE Systems? Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work – this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family – support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive: We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 19th August 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.