At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and optimise the Freshservice ITSM platform while managing support tickets and configurations.
- Company: Join First Rail, a leading UK rail operator with a commitment to innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy travel discounts, shopping perks, share schemes, and a supportive employee assistance programme.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while enhancing your tech skills.
- Qualifications: Hands-on experience with ITSM platforms and strong problem-solving abilities required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
First Rail is one of the most experienced rail operators in the UK, with more than 770,000 passenger journeys daily last year across our Department for Transport contracted operations and open access routes. We operate two major UK train operating companies - Avanti West Coast, Great Western Railway (GWR), and two open access passenger rail services, Hull Trains and Lumo. We are also 'shadow operator' on the HS2 programme and operate the London Trams service on behalf of Transport for London.
This position requires a hands‑on specialist with strong experience in supporting the Freshservice ITSM platform. You will be responsible for answering support tickets, configuring and optimising modules and workflows, driving adoption of the self‑service portal, and staying up to date with newly released features. Working closely with business stakeholders, IT teams, and third‑party vendors, you will ensure the platform aligns with best practices and delivers measurable value, as we extend its use beyond core IT and evolve it into a broader enterprise service management solution.
Your main responsibilities will be:
- Platform Stability & Availability – Ensure Freshservice always operates reliably. All incidents and service requests are triaged, owned, and resolved within agreed SLAs, with zero unplanned outages attributable to unmanaged platform issues.
- BAU Demand Management – Manage and resolve the day‑to‑day operational demand on the platform, such as incidents, service requests, user administration, and licence management, enabling the ITSM Platform Manager to focus on strategy and roadmap delivery.
- Configuration Delivery – Execute approved platform configuration changes accurately and on time, including workflows, automations, service catalogue items, and integrations, with all changes tested, documented, and released without incident.
- Sprint Contribution – Actively contribute to the team’s delivery sprints as a reliable delivery resource, completing assigned tasks to acceptance criteria and maintaining consistent velocity across the programme.
- Platform Quality & Documentation – Maintain a high standard of platform stability: accurate configuration documentation, up‑to‑date user guidance, and a clean, well‑governed Freshservice instance that is always audit‑ready.
- Enterprise Service Management Enablement – Support the extension of Freshservice beyond IT to Finance, HR, Procurement, and other business functions, contributing to onboarding, configuration, and testing activities that bring new services onto the platform.
- Stakeholder & Relationship Management – Build strong and effective relationships with internal OpCo stakeholders and Freshservice Support, establishing trust and credibility as a key operational contact point. Actively engage with stakeholders to understand their requirements, challenges, and pain points, ensuring these are clearly captured, documented, and prioritised within the backlog for review and action.
- Platform Optimisation & Adoption – Maintain awareness of the Freshservice product roadmap and newly released functionality, assessing opportunities to enhance the current platform. Review existing configuration in line with new capabilities, identifying and implementing improvements that enhance user experience and operational efficiency. Proactively drive adoption of the Freshservice portal through targeted communication and engagement, increasing utilisation and promoting best practice use of the platform.
As a minimum you will need to have:
- Experience: Proven hands‑on experience with ITSM platforms (Freshservice preferred), including administration, configuration, and implementation of new modules. Strong knowledge of ITIL processes and best practices. Experience in technical troubleshooting within a complex enterprise environment. Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively across IT and business.
- Technical Skills: Deep knowledge in Freshservice, with an understanding of workflow automation, reporting, and integrations. Experience with PowerShell scripting and API integrations. Knowledge of ITSM governance, reporting, and analytics. Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a structured approach.
- Soft Skills: Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders across multiple business units and of different levels of seniority. Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions and vice versa. A proactive, problem‑solving mindset, always looking for opportunities to improve.
The Reward:
- Travel Offers for Bus and Rail
- Shopping Discounts including discounts and cashback on electrical goods, your weekly shop, holidays, cinema trips, car insurance, upgrading your mobile and lots more
- Buy as You Earn – allows you to buy shares each month. You can vary the amount you save or stop it at any time. You need to participate in the scheme for at least 3 years to receive the matching shares
- Save as You Earn – allows you to use your savings after three years, to buy shares at a discounted price, or take your savings back as cash
- Employee Assistance Helpline – free, confidential employee support service provided by an independent provider
- Payroll Giving – donate directly from your pay to a Charity of your Choice
ITSM Platform Engineer in London employer: First Rail
First Rail is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide extensive training opportunities and a supportive culture that values every team member's contributions. Located at the heart of the UK's rail operations, our head office fosters a sense of community while providing access to unique benefits such as travel offers, shopping discounts, and share purchase schemes, making it a rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land ITSM Platform Engineer in London
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what First Rail values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges First Rail might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at First Rail!
✨Direct Apply to First Rail
Let's not forget to apply directly through the First Rail website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace ITSM Platform Engineer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at First Rail.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at First Rail. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Rail
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.