At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT Service Continuity strategy and ensure critical services are recoverable.
- Company: Join Defra, the UK government department focused on a sustainable environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on innovation and collaboration across teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on safeguarding our natural environment and essential services.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in IT Service Continuity and strong communication skills.
Location: Bristol, London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Reading, Warrington, York
About the job:
Defra is the UK government department responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, supporting our world-leading food and farming industry, and sustaining a thriving rural economy. Our broad remit means we play a major role in people's day-to-day life, from the food we eat, and the air we breathe, to the water we drink. Digital, Data, Technology and Security (DDTS) is the trusted team for digital across the entire Defra Group. We have around 1000 colleagues across DDTS and our ambition is to make it easier and faster than ever for people to interact with Defra. If you are ready to drive innovation and push boundaries, we want to hear from you. Join us and together we will create a great place for living, and a green and healthy future for all.
The Senior IT Service Continuity Manager is responsible for ensuring the organisation's critical IT services can be recovered and restored in the event of disruption. This role provides strategic leadership across IT Service Continuity Management (ITSCM), developing and maintaining robust resilience capabilities, recovery plans, and governance frameworks. The post holder will work closely with senior technology leaders, operational teams, suppliers, and business stakeholders to safeguard essential services and uphold agreed Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs). Through subject matter expertise and strong communication skills, this post influences and drives the ITSC operational design and improvement of new, existing and changed services.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership & Governance: Lead the organisation's IT Service Continuity strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and regulatory requirements. Maintain and enhance the ITSCM framework, policies, standards, and assurance processes. Provide expert guidance to senior stakeholders on service resilience, recovery risks, and mitigation strategies.
- Service Continuity Planning: Oversee the creation, maintenance, and validation of IT Service Continuity Plans and Disaster Recovery (DR) documentation. Ensure RTO/RPO requirements are understood, documented, and met through effective architecture, design, and operational controls. Coordinate impact assessments, dependency mapping, and risk evaluations across key services.
- Testing & Validation: Develop and lead an annual programme of DR and continuity testing, including scenario-based exercises, failovers, and tabletop simulations. Analyse test results, identify gaps, and drive remediation actions to strengthen resilience and recovery capability. Report findings, risks, and progress to senior leadership and governance boards.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration: Work closely with technical teams, architects, service managers, and suppliers to ensure end to end service resilience. Engage with business continuity teams to ensure IT recovery plans support wider organisational continuity objectives. Build strong relationships with internal and external partners to maintain cohesive, reliable recovery arrangements.
- Continuous Improvement: Monitor emerging risks, technologies, and industry trends to enhance organisational resilience. Provide expert input into post-incident reviews, ensuring lessons learned are embedded into future planning. Drive continuous improvement across the ITSCM lifecycle, promoting best practice and compliance with industry standards.
Skills & Experience:
- Extensive experience leading IT Service Continuity or Disaster Recovery functions within a complex technology environment.
- Strong understanding of infrastructure, cloud technologies, networking, and application service dependencies.
- Proven track record of developing and delivering organisation wide continuity and recovery strategies.
- Experience designing and conducting DR tests, simulations, and failover activities.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate technical risks into business aligned insights.
- Strong stakeholder management and leadership capabilities.
- Knowledge of relevant standards (e.g., ISO 22301, ITIL).
Senior IT Service Continuity Manager - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - G7 employer: Government Digital & Data
Defra is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a commitment to safeguarding the natural environment and supporting vital industries, employees enjoy meaningful work that contributes to a sustainable future. The organisation fosters professional growth through continuous learning opportunities and a supportive culture, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a real impact in their careers.
Contact Details:
Government Digital & Data Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior IT Service Continuity Manager - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - G7
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior IT Service Continuity Manager - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs - G7
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 Government Digital & Data.
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Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Government Digital & Data. 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.
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How to prepare for a job interview at Government Digital & Data
✨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.
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✨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.
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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.
