At a Glance
- Tasks: Oversee stability and performance of core business applications in a hybrid role.
- Company: Leading London Market organisation focused on modern technology and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring critical systems run smoothly and efficiently.
- Qualifications: Experience in application operations, service delivery, and cloud environments.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on innovation and service excellence.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 78000 £ per year.
A leading London Market organisation is seeking an Applications Service Manager to oversee the stability, performance, and support of its core business platforms. This is a hybrid role combining service delivery oversight with technical application knowledge, ideal for someone who enjoys owning business-critical systems end-to-end, working with vendors and internal teams to keep environments stable and continuously improving.
The Opportunity
You will take responsibility for a suite of underwriting, claims, and workflow applications integral to day-to-day business operations. The position sits at the junction of service management, vendor coordination, and technical operations, where you will ensure that incidents are handled efficiently, releases run smoothly, and environments remain secure and reliable.
You will work with a mix of on-premise and cloud-based systems, interacting with development, infrastructure, and third-party suppliers, MSPs and Vendors to maintain high availability and quality of service.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain operational control of multiple business-critical applications, ensuring stability, uptime, and quality of service.
- Coordinate with vendors and internal teams to investigate and resolve complex issues within application, database, and integration layers.
- Oversee incidents, problems, and changes through the full lifecycle, applying ITIL best practices.
- Use tools such as Azure DevOps and ServiceNow (or similar) to track releases, defects, and workflow performance.
- Analyse system performance data, validate vendor reporting, and identify improvement opportunities.
- Act as the escalation point for technical incidents, ensuring root cause accuracy and follow-through on corrective actions.
- Support audits, DR exercises, and service readiness activities across the application landscape.
What We’re Looking For
- Strong background in application operations or service delivery specifically within Insurance Reinsurance or Specialty London Market Insurance.
- Proven ability to manage services in hybrid or cloud environments (Azure, AWS, or similar).
- Working knowledge of SQL, release pipelines, and environment management.
- Experience coordinating between business stakeholders, developers, and offshore support partners.
- Understanding of ITIL processes and practical use of enterprise service tools.
- Confident working with both technical and non-technical stakeholders to drive service improvement.
What Will Set You Apart
- Prior experience supporting or managing policy administration, claims, or workflow systems.
- Hands-on familiarity with database or configuration troubleshooting (e.g., checking logs, queries, or deployments).
- A track record of improving vendor performance and service metrics through data-driven management.
- Demonstrated success in balancing incident resolution, release management, and longer-term service optimisation.
Why Join
This position offers the chance to work within a growing London-based organisation that values modern technology, collaborative problem-solving, and high-quality service delivery. You will play a central role in keeping critical systems running smoothly while shaping the future of how technology supports the business.
Application Service Manager employer: Pioneer Search
Contact Detail:
Pioneer Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Application Service Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its applications. Understand their tech stack and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios related to application management and service delivery. This will show your potential employer that you can think on your feet and handle real-world challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Applications Service Manager. Highlight your experience in application operations, especially within the insurance sector, and don’t forget to mention any relevant technical skills like SQL or cloud environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this hybrid role. Talk about your experience with service delivery and how you’ve successfully managed business-critical applications in the past.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex issues in previous roles. We want to see your ability to coordinate between teams and vendors to resolve incidents efficiently, so don’t hold back on those success stories!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates regarding your application status.
How to prepare for a job interview at Pioneer Search
✨Know Your Applications Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of the core business applications you'll be managing. Brush up on their functionalities, how they integrate with other systems, and any recent updates or issues they've faced. This will show your potential employer that you're not just familiar with the role but also genuinely interested in the applications you'll be overseeing.
✨Familiarise Yourself with ITIL Best Practices
Since the role involves applying ITIL best practices, it’s crucial to understand these processes thoroughly. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented ITIL in past roles, particularly in incident management and service delivery. This will demonstrate your capability to maintain operational control and improve service quality.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to SQL, Azure DevOps, and cloud environments. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you've used these tools. Providing concrete examples will help illustrate your expertise and problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Vendor Management Skills
Since the role requires coordination with vendors and internal teams, think of examples where you've successfully managed vendor relationships or improved service metrics. Highlighting your experience in balancing stakeholder needs and driving service improvements will set you apart from other candidates.