At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead service architecture for major digital and cloud transformations in a secure environment.
- Company: Join a leading organisation focused on national security and defence.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic team with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in secure environments while shaping the future of service architecture.
- Qualifications: Experience in service architecture and ITIL processes is essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: London (hybrid working) - ad-hoc visits to Glasgow
Duration: 12 months +
Vetting: SC security clearance required to start (DV application upon starting)
Must-have candidate criteria:
- Lead service architecture – Lead Service Architect or equivalent on a major digital, cloud, secure, defence, national security, regulated or large enterprise transformation.
- Operational readiness and acceptance – Designed readiness gates, operational acceptance criteria, runbooks, handover models and go/no-go evidence for products moving into live service.
- Service transition and dual-run – Experience transitioning from legacy to new services, including phased migration, pilots, early adopters, staged onboarding or dual-run operations.
- Applied ITIL service management – Practical ITIL-aligned process design across incident, problem, change, release, request, configuration, knowledge and service level management.
- Multi-tier/federated support – Designed support tiers, escalation paths, service boundaries, RACIs and OLAs across internal teams, suppliers and partner/user organisations.
- Secure/high-assurance context – Worked in secure, regulated, defence, national security, critical infrastructure, public sector or similarly complex enterprise environments. UK SECRET experience is highly desirable, but not the only route in.
- Supplier and SIAM integration – Understands multi-supplier models, retained organisation responsibilities, supplier handoffs, performance measures and operational governance.
- Commercial/service proposition awareness – Understands how service architecture connects to catalogue, service tiers, standard versus custom requests, supplier obligations, SLAs and cost-to-serve.
- Stakeholder leadership and delivery – Can work across senior, technical, operational, commercial, security, supplier and partner stakeholders, turning ambiguity into usable artefacts at pace.
Useful but not essential:
- ServiceNow awareness, particularly ITSM, CSM, CMDB, service portal, reporting and dashboards.
- Cloud service operations, public sector/cross-government or defence delivery experience.
- Experience contributing to business case evidence, including operating model, deliverability, transition and cost assumptions.
- Awareness of FinOps, charging models, service catalogue development, DDaT capability mapping, or Jira Service Management as an interim front door.
Our client operates hybrid working 2-3 days into London, with occasional client site visits required into Glasgow.
Lead Service Architect employer: Synapri
As a Lead Service Architect with us, you'll thrive in a dynamic hybrid working environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our London-based team values operational excellence and offers extensive opportunities for professional growth within the realms of digital transformation and national security. With a strong commitment to employee development and a culture that encourages knowledge sharing, we provide a unique platform for you to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the flexibility of ad-hoc visits to Glasgow.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Service Architect
✨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 Synapri 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 Synapri 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 Synapri!
✨Direct Apply to Synapri
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Synapri 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 Lead Service Architect
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 Synapri.
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 Synapri. 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 Synapri
✨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.
