At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT service readiness, ensuring smooth operations and risk management.
- Company: Join Post Office Ltd, a vital community service provider in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27.5 days leave, bonuses, car allowance, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on IT services that support communities across the UK.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT Service Management and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
As an IT Operational Readiness Lead, you will join us on our journey and undertake a truly valuable role responsible for defining, building, delivering and assuring IT services that support the Post Office business and are fully aligned to the Post Office strategy, IT Strategy and target operating model.
You will be a lead practitioner within the Introduction & Improvement Management team, providing senior capability to shape, embed, and assure the operational viability of services before they enter live operation. This role offers you a unique opportunity to influence programmes and product teams early, driving consistent standards, and providing independent challenge to ensure operational risks are understood and managed.
How our people behave is as important to Post Office as what is delivered. The IT Operational Readiness Lead will role model the Post Office behaviours and demonstrate a Postmaster first mindset.
What we can do for you: Our business is changing and we understand that attracting the right talent is pivotal in driving the positive change needed, to help us achieve our ambitious goals. Beyond a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- 27.5 days annual leave (rising to 30 after 2 years), plus bank holidays
- Up to 18% on target bonus opportunity
- Annual car allowance
- Generous pension scheme with minimum 9% employer contribution
- Access to 24/7 digital GP services and our Employee Assistance Programme
- 6 x Life assurance and income protection after 12 months service
- Over 400 online courses, mentoring, apprenticeships, and development programmes
- Access to our benefits platform for exclusive discounts & savings
What you’ll need to succeed: To be successful in this role you will have significant experience operating in IT Service Management, Service Design & Transition, or Operational Readiness roles within complex, enterprise environments. As an IT Operational Readiness Lead, you will have experience defining and embedding frameworks, standards, and governance models to assure services entering live operation. In addition to this, the ideal candidate will:
- ITIL Foundation or equivalent service management certification.
- Proven experience managing teams that support both operational service delivery and technology adoption.
- Demonstrable experience providing independent assurance, oversight, and challenge across complex programmes and product-based delivery models.
- Strong track record of influencing senior stakeholders and delivery teams to embed operational considerations early in the lifecycle.
- Experience driving continuous improvement in operational practices, using insight, feedback, and lessons learned from live services.
- Experience working across cross-functional teams, including Product, Engineering, Service Operations, and Delivery, to drive consistent outcomes.
- Proven ability to identify and manage operational risks, issues, and dependencies within change portfolios.
- Experience of operating within governance forums, readiness reviews, and go/no-go decision-making environments.
- Project or programme management certification (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile).
About us: At Post Office Ltd, we’re proud to be at the heart of communities across the UK, upheld by the dedication and service of our postmasters. We offer essential services that people rely on every day, from parcels and banking to identity and government services. While we continue to evolve with digital innovation, our commitment to personal, face-to-face service remains core to who we are.
Our journey is one of reflection, growth, and meaningful change. We’re looking for people who think differently. Those with resilience, purpose, and a deep sense of responsibility to our postmasters, partners and the communities they serve. If you're driven by the chance to make a real impact and help shape a future, built on progress and integrity, we’d love to hear from you.
Application Guidance: Our commitment to embracing diversity extends beyond just words. While we’ve outlined key skills above, we recognise that great candidates come from a variety of backgrounds. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. As a Disability Confident Employer, we recognise the value people with disabilities can bring to our business. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process or would like further details on the job description, please reach out.
We’re thrilled by your interest in this opportunity and truly value every application we receive. Please note the advert may close early if we receive a high volume of applications. Unfortunately, we’re unable to provide individual feedback on all submissions.
IT Operational Readiness Lead in London employer: Post Office Ltd
At Post Office Ltd, we pride ourselves on being a supportive and inclusive employer, offering a dynamic work culture that values innovation and collaboration. As an IT Operational Readiness Lead in the heart of London, you will benefit from a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and extensive professional development opportunities, including access to over 400 online courses and mentoring programmes. Join us in making a meaningful impact within our communities while enjoying a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and career growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Operational Readiness Lead in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Knowing their values will help you align your answers and show you're a great fit for the team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform when it counts.
✨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 take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Operational Readiness Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the IT Operational Readiness Lead role. Highlight your experience in IT Service Management and any relevant certifications like ITIL. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission at Post Office. Keep it engaging and personal, so we get a sense of who you are.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've influenced operational practices or managed risks in previous roles. We love seeing tangible results!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Post Office Ltd
✨Know Your ITIL Inside Out
As an IT Operational Readiness Lead, you'll need to demonstrate a solid understanding of ITIL principles. Brush up on your ITIL Foundation knowledge and be ready to discuss how you've applied these frameworks in past roles. Think about specific examples where you’ve defined and embedded standards or governance models.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Influence
This role requires strong influencing skills, so prepare to share stories about how you've successfully engaged with senior stakeholders. Highlight instances where your input shaped operational considerations early in the project lifecycle. Be specific about the outcomes and how they benefited the organisation.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to manage operational risks and dependencies. Think through potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would address them. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
The Post Office values continuous improvement, so come prepared with examples of how you've driven enhancements in operational practices. Discuss how you've used feedback and lessons learned from live services to make impactful changes. This will show your commitment to evolving processes and delivering better outcomes.
