At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team providing critical support for high-availability applications in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Global tech-driven financial services organisation with a strong international presence.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, bonus, and a focus on learning and development.
- Other info: Inclusive culture valuing diverse perspectives and excellent career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of production support while making a real impact in a tech-led organisation.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading Level 2 support teams and strong technical skills in various environments.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
We are a global technology-driven financial services organisation operating at scale across international markets. The business provides critical infrastructure, platforms, and data solutions that support high-volume, high-availability trading environments. With a long-established history and a significant international footprint, the organisation employs thousands of people worldwide and operates across multiple regions and time zones. Technology is central to the business, underpinning complex, mission-critical systems that demand reliability, performance, and continuous improvement.
This is a key leadership role within a production environment undergoing transformation. As Production Support Team Lead, you will play a central part in strengthening how Production Support aligns with business needs, improving operational resilience, and driving service excellence. Based in Belfast, you will lead a local Level 2 Production Support team and act as the primary escalation point for critical production issues. This is a hands-on role combining technical depth with people leadership, supporting complex distributed applications across on-premise and cloud-based environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and manage Belfast-based resources within a global Production Support function
- Provide Level 2 support for business-critical applications in a high-availability environment
- Act as the escalation point for complex production incidents, performing root cause analysis and resolution
- Manage Incident, Problem, and Change Management processes in line with ITIL principles
- Oversee application installations, upgrades, fixes, and enhancements across production and non-production environments
- Monitor application performance, system health, and service availability
- Manage application stacks across environments in collaboration with international support teams
- Develop and maintain automation scripts (Shell, PowerShell, Perl, Python, SQL)
- Create and maintain technical documentation, including runbooks and troubleshooting guides
- Lead major incident calls and production-related initiatives
Leadership & Management
- Drive team performance against agreed objectives and service standards
- Monitor and report on operational KPIs
- Plan workloads, resource allocation, and operational priorities
- Promote strong collaboration with technology and business stakeholders
- Develop learning and development roadmaps for team members
- Support recruitment and internal mobility initiatives
Essential Experience & Skills
- Proven experience leading a Level 2 Production Support team
- Strong experience with Windows Server environments
- Advanced Unix/Linux skills
- Strong SQL skills (T-SQL, SQL Server Management Studio)
- Working knowledge of networking tools (SSH, SFTP, traceroute)
- Scripting experience in PowerShell, Bash, or Perl
- Strong understanding of ITIL-based support processes
- Experience with monitoring and observability tooling
- Demonstrated use of automation to improve efficiency
- Solid understanding of Change Management
Desirable
- Exposure to cloud or hybrid architectures
- Knowledge of HTML, JavaScript, or CSS
- Additional database optimisation experience
- Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices
Why Join?
- Lead a critical function within a large-scale, technology-led organisation
- High-impact role supporting complex, business-critical systems
- Opportunity to shape team structure and operational processes in Belfast
- Hybrid working model
- Strong focus on learning, development, and career progression
- Inclusive culture where diverse perspectives are valued
IT Application Support Team Lead in Newtownabbey employer: MCS Group
Join a leading global technology-driven financial services organisation in Belfast, where you will have the opportunity to lead a critical Production Support team within a dynamic and inclusive work culture. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, hybrid working options, and a commitment to continuous improvement, this role offers a unique chance to shape operational processes while supporting complex, high-availability systems. Experience a rewarding career in an environment that values diverse perspectives and prioritises professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Application Support Team Lead in Newtownabbey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to production support. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with articulating your experience and skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your technical skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository where you can display your automation scripts and any projects you've worked on. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Application Support Team Lead in Newtownabbey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the job description. Highlight your experience with Level 2 Production Support and any relevant technical skills like SQL or scripting. We want to see how you fit into our world!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Production Support Team Lead, we’re looking for someone who can lead and inspire a team. Share examples of how you've driven team performance and managed incidents in high-pressure environments.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use bullet points where possible to make your achievements stand out. We appreciate clarity and directness in communication!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to track your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at MCS Group
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your technical skills, especially around Windows Server environments, Unix/Linux, and SQL. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you've used these skills in a production support context.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Production Support Team Lead, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead a team effectively. Prepare examples of how you've driven team performance, managed incidents, and collaborated with stakeholders in previous roles.
✨Understand ITIL Principles
Familiarise yourself with ITIL-based support processes, as this role heavily relies on them. Be prepared to discuss how you've applied these principles in managing incidents, problems, and changes in past positions.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that require you to think on your feet, such as how you'd handle a major incident or improve operational resilience. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies clearly.
