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.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with a focus on service improvement and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by ensuring critical systems run smoothly and efficiently.
- Qualifications: Experience in application operations, especially within Insurance or Reinsurance sectors.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ 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’ll 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’ll ensure that incidents are handled efficiently, releases run smoothly, and environments remain secure and reliable. You’ll 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’ll 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
Join a dynamic and growing insurance business as a Senior Internal Controls Analyst, where you will be part of a collaborative work culture that values innovation and continuous improvement. With opportunities for hybrid working in London, you will engage with senior stakeholders and gain invaluable experience in controls testing and remediation within a regulated environment. The company is committed to employee growth, offering a broad role that enhances your skills in internal controls, audit, and risk management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Application Service Manager
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Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Pioneer Search might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
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We think you need these skills to ace Application Service Manager
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 Pioneer Search.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Pioneer Search. 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.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Pioneer Search
✨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.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨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.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
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.