IT Service Design Lead (18 Month FTC)

IT Service Lead (18 Month FTC)

Salary: £56,000 – £62,000 per Annum

Location: Basingstoke 2x a Week

Overview

My client is seeking a Service Design Lead. This role would be responsible for ensuring that IT services, systems, and products are effectively transitioned from design into live operations. This role works closely with project teams, operational teams, and business stakeholders to create service designs that are reliable, secure, maintainable, and aligned with organisational goals. Acting as the bridge between project delivery and ongoing operations, the role ensures new or updated services are fully operational from day one.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive service design activities across multiple initiatives, from initial impact assessment to the development of Service Design Packages and operational support models.
• Define and document operational requirements, including staffing, processes, technology, tooling, SLAs/OLAs, and reporting needs.
• Lead workshops with project teams, service owners, IT operations, and stakeholders to collaboratively develop the service support model.
• Ensure smooth handover to live/BAU teams with complete documentation, knowledge transfer, and operational readiness.
• Identify and mitigate risks, address potential challenges, and propose improvements to processes and frameworks.
• Maintain ongoing communication with stakeholders to ensure service designs meet operational and business requirements.

Essential Requirements

• Experience in IT service design, IT architecture, or related IT/digital service environments.
• Strong knowledge of service design principles, frameworks, and best practices.
• Understanding of infrastructure, applications, and cloud-based services.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience producing clear, comprehensive documentation.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement abilities, including influencing and collaborating across teams.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and work independently with minimal supervision.

Desirable Requirements

• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams and working with diverse stakeholders.
• Knowledge of ITIL Service Design/Architecture or other ITSM frameworks (ITIL certification preferred).
• Proactive and innovative approach with a focus on continuous improvement and operational excellence.