At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT service and operations, ensuring performance and governance in a global tech environment.
- Company: Join a successful, regulated organisation with a strong focus on technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and the chance to shape IT services.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and influence in a global setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile leadership role with genuine ownership.
- Qualifications: Proven IT leadership experience, strong governance, and risk management skills.
A senior IT leadership role with real ownership and influence.
Are you an experienced IT leader who thrives at the intersection of service, operations, governance, risk and transformation?
We're looking for a Head of IT Service & Operations to take ownership of the end-to-end performance, resilience and governance of IT services within a successful, regulated organisation operating as part of a global technology environment.
This is a role with genuine accountability. You'll lead the UK IT Service & Operations function, managing a small leadership team and overseeing a wider team of around ten, while working closely with global technology teams, third-party suppliers and senior stakeholders.
What you'll be doing:
- Own and evolve the UK SIAM model, bringing together global and third-party technology providers.
- Set and manage SLAs, OLAs and KPIs, ensuring IT performance is aligned with business outcomes.
- Lead major incident and problem management governance, driving root-cause analysis and continuous improvement.
- Own the vendor management and multi-supplier governance framework.
- Take accountability for the UK IT risk, controls and audit environment.
- Own the IT and Information Security policy framework, ensuring alignment with wider Group standards and regulatory expectations.
- Drive business continuity and operational resilience, ensuring the organisation is prepared for disruption.
- Lead, mentor and develop the IT Service & Operations team, including recruitment, performance and career development.
- Contribute to the Senior Management Group, helping shape the wider technology operating model and direction of the business.
What we're looking for:
You'll be a senior IT service leader with strong experience across ITSM, SIAM, governance and risk, ideally within a regulated environment.
You'll bring:
- Proven experience leading and developing IT teams.
- Strong understanding of regulatory accountability, risk and controls.
- Strategic thinking combined with a structured approach to governance.
- Excellent stakeholder management across local, global and third-party environments.
- Confidence operating under regulatory scrutiny.
- Strong analytical and risk-management capabilities.
- Excellent communication skills, particularly during incidents and periods of change.
- The ability to influence, challenge and drive organisational change.
The opportunity:
This is an opportunity to step into a high-profile IT leadership position with genuine ownership of how technology services are delivered, governed and continuously improved.
You'll have the visibility and influence to shape the operating model, strengthen resilience, improve supplier performance and develop a talented IT function, while working within a global technology organisation.
If you're ready for a role where IT service, operational resilience, governance and leadership genuinely sit at the heart of the business, we'd love to hear from you.
Head of IT Service and Operations employer: Robert Half
At Robert Half, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As an IT Project Manager, you'll have the opportunity to lead transformative projects in a highly regulated environment, supported by a team that values professional growth and development. With competitive benefits and a commitment to employee well-being, we ensure that our team members thrive both personally and professionally in their roles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT Service and Operations
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Robert Half values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Robert Half 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.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Robert Half!
✨Direct Apply to Robert Half
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Robert Half website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT Service and Operations
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 Robert Half.
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 Robert Half. 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 Robert Half
✨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.
