At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the delivery of critical IT services and ensure operational excellence.
- Company: Join UKRI, a leading organisation driving innovation and research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and hybrid work options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and engagement with senior partners.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on service delivery in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership skills and experience in IT service management.
The predicted salary is between 70752 - 70752 £ per year.
UKRI Salary: £70,752 per annum. Band: UKRI Band G. Contract Type: Open ended. Hours: Full-time/ Part Time (minimum 0.8 FTE) (flexible working available). Location: Polaris House, Swindon, Wiltshire - Hybrid working available. Closing Date: Sunday 2nd August 2026.
About the role
The Head of Service Delivery is a senior leadership role with accountability for the performance, resilience and governance of live IT and business-critical services across corporate hub and most UKRI head office functions. Operating across a complex, federated, multi-supplier environment, the role provides strategic direction and operational leadership to ensure that services are stable, secure, responsive to business need and aligned to organisational priorities. The postholder will lead the development of a high-performing service delivery function, bringing together service management, supplier governance, operational assurance and continual improvement.
The role requires confident engagement with senior partners across Digital, Corporate Services and the wider organisation, with the ability to influence across organisational boundaries and deliver outcomes where direct line authority may not exist. The postholder will translate service performance, risk and technical issues into clear business insight and ensure that critical services support UKRI's operational effectiveness and strategic objectives.
Your responsibilities:
- Provide senior leadership for the end-to-end delivery of live IT and business-critical services, ensuring clear service ownership, strong performance management and effective operational governance.
- Establish and maintain a robust service delivery framework that supports resilience, service quality, risk management and continuous improvement across a diverse technology and supplier landscape.
- Lead the organisational response to major service issues, providing strategic oversight, clear decision making and effective communication during high-impact incidents and service recovery activity.
- Oversee change, release and service transition governance, ensuring that new and changed services are introduced in a controlled manner with appropriate operational readiness and minimal disruption to users.
- Drive strong supplier and partner management, holding internal and external providers to account.
Head of Service Delivery in London employer: UKRI
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters professional growth and collaboration. With a strong commitment to employee development, the LMB provides comprehensive training opportunities and encourages continuous learning, making it an ideal place for HR professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in the scientific community. Located in the vibrant Cambridge Biomedical Campus, employees benefit from a supportive culture that values innovation and teamwork, ensuring a rewarding career path in Human Resources.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Service Delivery in London
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
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✨Engage in Professional Networks
Join professional management associations relevant to your career goals. These networks often host workshops, panels, and networking events that can put you in front of hiring managers. Plus, they can give you the scoop on upcoming roles, such as the full-time positions with companies like UKRI.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When reaching out to potential employers, particularly for leadership roles, demonstrate your leadership capabilities with real examples. Share stories from your previous positions that illustrate how you handled challenges and drove results. This will help you stand out when you apply to places like UKRI.
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Service Delivery in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Leadership Skills:In the corporate leadership and management field, it's essential to highlight your leadership experience. Use your CV to flesh out examples of how you've led teams to success or managed significant projects. We want to see specific instances where your actions made a tangible difference in your previous roles!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers talk, especially in management! When detailing your achievements in your CV or cover letter, don’t just say you improved team performance. Instead, say you boosted productivity by 30% over six months through effective strategy implementation. This makes your application pop and shows us what you can bring to UKRI.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to narrate your professional journey. We’re looking for motivation and a clear understanding of what corporate leadership means to you. Dive into your aspirations and how they align with the values and vision of UKRI. Make it personal – we want to get to know you!
Tailor Your CV for Management Roles:Ensure your CV reflects the management skills that are essential for this role. Focus on competencies like strategic planning, team building, and problem-solving. Use a clean layout, and don’t forget to align your experiences with those keywords mentioned in the job listing. This will help you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll want to thoroughly convey your unique approach to leadership. During the interview with UKRI, be ready to share real-life examples of how you've inspired and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific achievements that illustrate your strategic thinking and your ability to drive results.
✨Brush Up on Management Theories
Expect some technical questions related to management theories and practices. Brush up on concepts like transformational leadership, servant leadership, or situational leadership. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these theories to the role at UKRI, especially in the specific context of the challenges they’re currently facing.
✨Craft Your Vision for the Company
Since this is a full-time leadership role, spending time thinking about your vision for UKRI could really set you apart. Consider potential strategies for growth and how you would lead teams towards achieving them. This shows not just enthusiasm, but also strategic foresight that they’ll likely be looking for in a candidate.
✨Emphasise Team Dynamics and Culture
In corporate leadership, team dynamics and organisational culture are everything. Be ready to discuss how you've fostered a positive work environment in previous roles. Bring up examples of how you've managed diverse teams effectively—this will resonate well at UKRI as they’re likely seeking a candidate who can enhance their workplace culture.
