Service & Lifecycle Lead
- Corby, Northamptonshire
- Permanent
- Full-time
RS Group is currently seeking a permanent IT Service & Lifecycle Lead to join our team. The IT Service & Lifecycle Lead is a leadership position responsible for governing incoming IT demand (both project-based and “Keep The Lights On” efforts) to ensure alignment with business objectives, IT strategy, and resource capacity.This role establishes best practices, prioritises high-impact initiatives, and shapes the strategic and operational direction for how new services are vetted and introduced. Through proactive lifecycle planning-from asset refreshes and upgrades to end-of-life decisions-you will replace ad-hoc, reactive approaches with a well-structured, future-focused model. In this leadership capacity, you will mentor, coach, and guide cross-functional teams, ensuring that IT investments deliver sustained value and that governance processes continue to evolve with organisational needs.What You Will Be Doing
- Demand Governance: Evaluate incoming IT requests for feasibility, strategic fit, and resource impact. Maintain a transparent intake and prioritisation process.
- Service Lifecycle Management: Oversee the full lifecycle of IT services, including planning, upgrades, and decommissioning, ensuring minimal disruption and cost efficiency.
- Strategic Collaboration: Partner with IT leadership and architects to shape the IT portfolio and integrate new services effectively.
- Process Improvement: Drive continuous improvement using ITIL best practices and performance metrics.
- Risk & Compliance: Monitor project performance, manage risks, and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with business units and vendors to align services with evolving needs and contractual obligations.
- Reporting: Deliver insights and dashboards to inform leadership decisions and track service performance.
In this role, you'll have the opportunity to foster a culture of continual service improvement. Consistently exploring ways to meet stakeholder expectations, enhance customer and user satisfaction, and improve overall effectiveness and efficiency.Ideal candidates should have expertise in:
- Strong process competencies with a solid understanding of the Service Value chain.
- ITIL certification (Foundation minimum; ITIL 4 Managing Professional or Strategic Leader certifications preferred).
- Strong command of ITIL processes (e.g., Demand, Service Portfolio, Financial, Capacity, and Lifecycle Management).
- Familiarity with various IT environments (infrastructure, cloud, SaaS) and project-delivery frameworks (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid). ITSM toolsets such as ServiceNow, and exposure to architectural frameworks (e.g., TOGAF).
- Demonstrated experience in implementing intake processes or governance frameworks, including backlog prioritization and resource allocation.
- Adept at partnering with cross-functional teams and steering committees, bridging diverse viewpoints and gaining consensus.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to create clear, concise documentation and presentations for various audiences.
- Proven leadership in mentoring and guiding teams through process improvements and adoption of structured methodologies.
- Strong ability to analyse cost, risk, and impact to inform decision-making.
- Track record of driving process improvements and championing change management in complex IT environments.
- Help for people to take control of ongoing Health conditions such as diabetes or asthma.
- Support for Neurodiverse colleagues and families with neurodiverse members.
- Support for Women at different life stages from streamlined fertility support through to diagnosis and monitoring of both endometriosis and menopause.
- Helping our LGBTQ+ community through enhanced coverage for trans colleagues.