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- Tasks: Monitor and protect critical digital services for millions across the UK.
- Company: Join DWP, the UK's largest government department, focused on digital innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be the first line of defence in IT operations and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT operations and familiarity with monitoring tools required.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career growth and a commitment to diversity.
The predicted salary is between 38772 - 43300 £ per year.
Pay of £38,772, plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work-life balance. Are you ready to be the first line of defence in protecting critical national digital services?
As an Associate IT Operations Controller, you'll join a 24/7 operations team responsible for monitoring systems and tooling that keep DWP's digital services stable, secure and available for millions of people across the UK. You'll thrive in a fast-paced operational environment, working with vendor partners, internal teams and technical specialists to detect IT issues early, respond quickly, and help prevent service disruption. If you're someone who loves problem-solving, staying calm under pressure, and working collaboratively across technical teams, this could be the perfect next step in your IT operations career.
This role is based from either Newcastle or Manchester; the locations of our physical command centre. Important: This is a 24/7 shift role with a 20% shift allowance. You'll be required to work 14 shifts every 28 days/nights on a 12-hour rota, rotating between days (07:00-19:00) and nights (19:00-07:00).
About DWP: DWP. Digital with Purpose. We are looking for an Associate IT Operations Controller to join our community of tech experts in DWP Digital. We're using fresh ideas and leading-edge tech to build and maintain digital solutions that will be used by nearly every person in the UK, every day and at key moments in their lives. DWP is the UK's largest government department. We help people into work and make payments worth over £195bn a year to support and empower millions of people. The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We'd love you to join us.
What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?
- Experience working in a live IT operations environment, such as problem management, change management, incident management, monitoring, or event management.
- A background in first-line command centre, service monitoring, or incident resolution teams.
- Practical knowledge of monitoring tools such as BMC and Dynatrace (or similar enterprise monitoring tools).
- Understanding of IT infrastructure technologies, such as networks, servers (Wintel, Unix, Linux), storage platforms and databases.
As our Associate IT Operations Controller you will act as the first line of defence in detecting IT service issues before they impact users. You will support the protection of critical DWP services used by millions of people. You will help safeguard sensitive information and maintain system integrity across complex networks and digital platforms.
As part of the User Experience Command Centre (UXCC) within IT Service Operations, you'll be responsible for monitoring infrastructure and applications across datacentre and cloud environments (AWS and Azure) using enterprise-grade tooling. You'll follow event management processes, triaging and categorising alerts, raising incidents, and providing initial diagnosis to minimise disruption. This role will also involve collaborating with internal teams, external suppliers and 2nd/3rd-line technical SMEs to drive timely resolution of issues.
Key responsibilities include supporting batch monitoring, vulnerability management and operational security activities as you help drive improvements in performance, processes and user experience. On a regular basis you'll be analysing patterns and trends, identifying opportunities for simplification with the aim of increasing efficiency. This is a role where your actions have real impact on service stability, customer experience and the resilience of DWP's key national systems.
Benefits and rewards
- Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies
- Time off volunteering and charitable giving
- Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
- Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
- Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket
- Sports and social activities
- Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities
We have an award-winning Environment And Culture:
- DWP recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence Awards
- Diverse and Inclusive Leadership winner at Digital Leaders Awards 2024
- Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital at the Computing Digital Technology Leaders Awards 2025
- Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at the 2025 Women in Tech Employer Awards
Details and application process
- Location: Newcastle or Manchester
- Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model - you'll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face-to-face in a hub.
- Pay: £38,772 per annum
- Pension: 28.97% employer contributions, worth up to £11,241 per year
- Holidays: 24 days rising to 26 after one year; up to 3 extra days per month on flexi-time; public holidays
- Application process: Two-stage process (Apply via Civil Service Jobs; Interview online)
IT Operations Controller in Manchester employer: Graphics Unlimited (Vic) Pty Ltd
Contact Detail:
Graphics Unlimited (Vic) Pty Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Operations Controller in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at DWP on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your problem-solving skills. Think of examples from your past experiences where you tackled IT issues head-on. DWP loves candidates who can stay calm under pressure!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your tech knowledge! Familiarise yourself with monitoring tools like BMC and Dynatrace. Being able to discuss these in detail during your interview will definitely impress the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the DWP team and contributing to their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace IT Operations Controller in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Associate IT Operations Controller. Highlight your experience in live IT operations and any relevant tools you've used, like BMC or Dynatrace. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your problem-solving skills can help us protect critical digital services. Keep it engaging and personal – we love authenticity!
Showcase Relevant Experience: In your application, be sure to showcase any experience you have with incident management or service monitoring. We’re keen on candidates who can demonstrate their ability to stay calm under pressure and work collaboratively across teams.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at DWP Digital. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Graphics Unlimited (Vic) Pty Ltd
✨Know Your Tech
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of monitoring tools like BMC and Dynatrace. Familiarise yourself with IT infrastructure technologies such as networks, servers, and databases. Being able to speak confidently about these will show that you're ready to dive into the role.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully resolved IT issues under pressure. Highlight your ability to stay calm and think critically, as this is crucial for the fast-paced environment you'll be working in.
✨Understand the Role's Impact
Research how the Associate IT Operations Controller role contributes to the overall stability and security of DWP's digital services. Be ready to discuss how your actions can directly impact user experience and service reliability.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, shift patterns, and how success is measured in the role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company culture aligns with your values.
