At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to ensure smooth server platform operations and delivery.
- Company: Join Kingfisher, a passionate team dedicated to better homes and lives.
- Benefits: Competitive benefits package with growth opportunities and a focus on diversity.
- Other info: Work from B&Q Head Office with flexible office days and potential out-of-hours support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by coordinating teams and driving operational excellence.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT service management and strong people management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
hackajob is collaborating with Kingfisher to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. We’re Kingfisher, a team of over 74,000 passionate people who bring Kingfisher, B&Q, Screwfix, Brico Depot, Castorama and Koçtaş to life. Guided by our purpose "Better Homes. Better Lives. For Everyone." We believe a better world starts with better homes, and we work every day to make that a reality.
We have a new opportunity for a Server Platforms Operations Lead to bring clarity, structure and momentum to how server platform operations and delivery are run day to day. Acting as the central point for coordination, reporting and governance while enabling disciplined execution and proactive risk management, the role ensures teams and partners work in sync to deliver reliable outcomes. This is a people‑management‑focused role, rather than a hands‑on technical lead position. This role will be based out of our B&Q Head Office just outside Southampton, with a minimum expectation of 12 days a month in the office. Due to the nature of the role and services it supports, there may be occasions where support is needed out of hours, so a willingness to be available and spend more time in the office if required is important.
Responsibilities
- Lead and support a permanent team of technical specialists, creating clear objectives, encouraging development and maintaining high delivery standards.
- Coordinate server platform operational and project activities, ensuring accurate tracking, governance and stakeholder alignment across onshore and offshore teams.
- Own operational reporting, including BAU activities, OKRs and service performance, ensuring information is clear, current and actionable.
- Manage third‑party suppliers day to day, holding partners to agreed SLAs and leading escalations to minimise service impact.
- Oversee the progression and resolution of incidents, requests and problems through ServiceNow and delivery tracking through Jira.
- Proactively identify operational risks, blockers and delays, communicating early and driving effective mitigation.
- Partner closely with project managers and internal stakeholders to align priorities, assess impacts and support delivery planning.
Qualifications
- Experience in a comparable IT service management, operational or leadership role within a technology environment.
- Practical knowledge of ITIL frameworks and wider IT Service Management practices.
- Team/people management experience.
- Proven experience managing third‑party suppliers and enforcing Service Level Agreements.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to build trust and work effectively across technical and non‑technical teams.
- A structured, proactive and detail‑focused approach, with a clear commitment to delivering high‑quality service outcomes.
Benefits
We offer a competitive benefits package and plenty of opportunities to stretch and grow your career.
Diversity & Inclusion
Our customers come from all walks of life – and so do we. We’re committed to ensuring all colleagues, future colleagues, and applicants are treated equally, regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, ethnicity, culture, religion, belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation.
Interested? Great, apply now and help us to Power the Possible.
Server Platforms Operations Lead in Southampton employer: hackajob
At Kingfisher, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, fostering a vibrant work culture that champions diversity and inclusion while empowering our employees to grow their careers. Located just outside Southampton at our B&Q Head Office, we offer a competitive benefits package and a supportive environment where you can lead a dedicated team of technical specialists, ensuring high delivery standards and operational excellence. Join us in our mission to create better homes and better lives for everyone, and be part of a passionate team that values your contributions and encourages your professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Server Platforms Operations Lead in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Kingfisher or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Kingfisher's values and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate how your experience aligns with their mission of 'Better Homes. Better Lives.'
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your people management skills! Since this role is all about leading a team, think of examples from your past where you’ve successfully managed a group or resolved conflicts. We want to see your leadership shine!
✨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 us you’re serious about joining the Kingfisher family.
We think you need these skills to ace Server Platforms Operations Lead in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Server Platforms Operations Lead role. Highlight your experience in IT service management and people management, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications like ITIL frameworks.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about creating better homes and lives, and how your skills can help us achieve that. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves working with both technical and non-technical teams, make sure to demonstrate your strong communication skills in your application. Use clear language and examples that show how you’ve built trust and collaborated effectively in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at hackajob
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on IT service management and operational leadership concepts. Familiarise yourself with ITIL frameworks and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your previous roles. This will show that you understand the technical side of the job, even if it's not a hands-on position.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
Since this role is focused on people management, prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Think about times when you set clear objectives, encouraged development, or maintained high delivery standards. Be ready to share how you built trust and worked effectively across different teams.
✨Be Ready for Real-World Scenarios
Expect questions about managing third-party suppliers and enforcing SLAs. Prepare specific examples of challenges you've faced in these areas and how you resolved them. This will demonstrate your proactive approach to risk management and your ability to handle operational issues.
✨Align with Their Purpose
Kingfisher's mission is all about 'Better Homes. Better Lives. For Everyone.' Think about how your values align with this purpose and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their goals. Showing that you're passionate about their mission can set you apart from other candidates.
