Problem Lead

Problem Lead

Full-Time 27776 - 30354 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Places for People

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead end-to-end Problem Management and drive improvements in IT Operations.
  • Company: Join Places for People, a leading UK Social Enterprise focused on community spirit.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 35 days holiday, healthcare cashback, and ongoing training.
  • Other info: Hybrid working model with excellent career progression opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by solving problems and enhancing service reliability.
  • Qualifications: Experience in Problem Management and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 27776 - 30354 £ per year.

At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers! So, if you like the sound of one of our jobs, experience and track record are important, but we're more interested in hiring someone that embodies our People Promises. That's someone that does the right thing, is enthusiastic and motivated to grow, believes in Community spirit, is respectful and enjoys their work. As the UK's leading Social Enterprise we're dedicated to creating inclusive and thriving Communities for both our Customers and Employees.

More about your role

You will take ownership of end-to-end Problem Management across IT Operations, ensuring the root causes of incidents are identified, understood and resolved to prevent repeat issues. You will lead root cause investigations and drive both proactive and reactive problem management activities, working closely with incident, service delivery and technical teams. You will provide insight and reporting on trends, risks and service impacts, while coordinating teams and suppliers to deliver long-term solutions. You will also ensure known errors and workarounds are recorded, improve service reliability through continual improvement initiatives, and embed a strong culture of learning, prevention and ITIL best practice across the organisation.

Essential criteria

  • Demonstrable experience in Problem Management, IT Service Management or IT Operations
  • Proven experience leading root cause analysis and problem investigations
  • Strong working knowledge of ITIL Problem Management practices
  • Experience using ITSM tools or service management platforms
  • Experience working with technical teams and third-party suppliers

More about you

You will bring strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret trends and identify underlying issues that impact service performance. You are comfortable working with a range of stakeholders and can build effective relationships across technical teams and suppliers. You will be confident taking ownership of processes, driving improvements and ensuring governance standards are met, while contributing to a culture focused on continuous learning and service excellence.

Benefits

We are a large diverse and ambitious business, which will give you all the challenge you could wish for. We know that there's always more we can do to make you smile, that's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package with each role, yours will include:

  • Competitive salary with regular annual review
  • Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
  • Bonus scheme for colleagues at 2%
  • 35 days holiday (including bank holiday) with option to buy or sell days
  • Healthcare cashback plan for everyday medical costs - up to £500 savings per year
  • Access to wellbeing support such as counselling and flu jabs
  • Private GP and health support services available
  • Access to a rewards platform with retail and lifestyle discounts
  • Savings on groceries, travel, shopping and home products
  • Ongoing training and development opportunities
  • Access to professional qualifications and career progression
  • Internal development programmes and learning support
  • Recognition schemes such as Star Awards and Colleagues Awards
  • Strong focus on inclusion, wellbeing and colleague engagement
  • Free membership to Places Gyms

Full-time Hybrid | Skelmersdale (2 days onsite). Permanent | Competitive salary + bonus + benefits.

Problem Lead employer: Places for People

Places for People in Birmingham is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises community engagement and exceptional service delivery. With flexible working arrangements and health memberships, employees are supported in achieving a healthy work-life balance while also having access to numerous growth opportunities within the leisure and hospitality sector.

Places for People

Contact Details:

Places for People Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Problem Lead

Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions

Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like Problem Lead at Places for People!

Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks

Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Places for People or be willing to refer you for that Problem Lead position!

Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences

Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Places for People who’s on the lookout for their next Problem Lead star!

Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online

Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time Problem Lead role at Places for People!

We think you need these skills to ace Problem Lead

Problem Management
Root Cause Analysis
IT Service Management
ITIL Practices
Analytical Skills
Stakeholder Management
Service Delivery Coordination

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!

Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Places for People. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!

Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.

Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Places for People

Master the Case Study Game

In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!

Know Your Numbers

Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!

Show Your Leadership Flair

As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Be a Cultural Fit

We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Places for People. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!