Service Architect (West Midlands)

• Service Architect - Public Sector
• £500-£550 Outside IR35
• Hybrid Working - 1-2 days on site a week

The Service Architect will be responsible for designing and documenting service architecture and processes that aligns with business objectives. The Service Architect will be required to work closely with the M365 Project Manager, Technical Architect, service delivery teams, and the wider stakeholder community.

The Service Architect will ensure the new service model supports not only the new M365 services but the continuation of service for existing technologies within the estate.

Key responsibilities

• To be responsible for the development and documentation of the ICT Service Strategy and associated service model roadmaps.
• Creation of Service Architectures that maximises the efficiency of all support scenarios whilst minimising the costs for Service Delivery
• To ensure that the ICT service architecture meets all the relevant industry/national standards and demonstrates consistency of design across all ICT related programmes and projects.
• To design all functional and technical aspects of a service for business change, developing a service design to meet those requirements including defined cost, security and service level requirements, leveraging standard service building blocks as much as possible. Identifying risks and providing mitigations options for these to the delivery team.
• To work with the organisation to define the transition of new 365 services into the production service environment whilst being mindful of servicing existing technologies.
• To assess individual capabilities and development needs and agree appropriate development plans to enable high performance and potential progression.
• Collaborate with technical and solution architects to ensure service alignment with infrastructure and application layers
• Define operational support models and acceptance criteria
• Provide guidance for service transition and operational readiness
• Ensure that service models are aligned to ITIL or other relevant Frameworks

Experience/Skills:

• To be educated to degree level or equivalent in a related ICT discipline, or have substantial relevant knowledge gained from direct experience in similar roles within complex ICT environments
• ITIL Certification (Service Management), or equivalent framework experience
• Strong knowledge of Service Architect Design and ensuring that services are designed to meet the business need with appropriate support model and service levels
• Substantial knowledge of ICT enterprise architecture principles gained through significant experience of service delivery and performance monitoring in similar size organisations
• Demonstrate significant experience of architecting service solutions in ICT in a similar large complex multi-faceted organisation.
• Clear ability to think strategically whilst having a strong focus on ICT technologies and operational service delivery.
• Demonstrate experience of translating business requirements into ICT service designs
• Able to take ownership of the service design from inception, delivery and performance monitoring to the end customer
• Relevant experience demonstrating an aptitude for analysing systems, processes and operational procedures
• Ability to take the lead during meetings and help to drive governance and programme level boards with associated stakeholder management
• Strong problem-solving skills with ability to gather and assimilate information.
• Demonstrate a high level of communication, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Ability to think ahead and anticipate/mitigate risks and find suitable solutions to issues.
• Demonstrate ability to manage teams of key stakeholders and suppliers with the flexibility to adjust approach and style accordingly.
• Excellent people skills built on a combination of great listening, empathy, insight and intellect.
• Ability to positively influence others and lead change within organisations
• Commercial acumen relating to 3rd party support negotiations.
• You will need to hold National Vetting.