IT Operational Readiness Specialist
We're partnering with a large, complex organisation undertaking significant technology and transformation initiatives. As part of this, we're seeking an IT Operational Readiness (ITOR) Specialist to ensure new and changed IT services are fully supportable, governed, and ready for transition into BAU.
This role sits at the intersection of project delivery and IT operations, providing assurance that solutions are designed and implemented with operational sustainability in mind.
Role Overview
As an ITOR Specialist, you'll be embedded within project teams, working closely with delivery leads, architects, cyber teams, vendors, and BAU support teams. Your focus will be ensuring operational readiness, governance alignment, and a smooth transition from project to operations.
You'll act as the critical link between delivery and IT Service Management, ensuring ITSM standards are embedded early and consistently across initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
Operational Readiness & Governance
* Ensure alignment with ITSM / ITIL practices and organisational standards
* Review and validate solution designs (HLDs / LLDs) to confirm operational requirements are addressed
* Validate compliance with cyber security and architecture governance requirements
* Ensure support models, escalation paths, SLAs / OLAs, and vendor responsibilities are clearly defined
* Apply ITSM processes across project deliverables including Change, Incident, Knowledge, and CMDB
* Identify operational risks and gaps and work with project teams to resolve them early
* Transition & Readiness Execution
* Develop and review transition artefacts including support models, operational procedures, knowledge articles and training materials
* Validate monitoring, alerting, backup, disaster recovery, and security readiness
* Coordinate production readiness and operational acceptance activities
* Ensure governance checkpoints and approvals are completed including CAB and operational sign-off
Project & Stakeholder Collaboration
* Work day-to-day with project teams, technical leads, and vendors to keep readiness activities on track
* Coordinate BAU support engagement and kick-off sessions
* Clearly communicate support impacts, risks, and mitigation strategies to stakeholders
Skills & Experience
* Strong understanding of ITIL Service Design, Service Transition and operational escalation models
* Proven ability to interpret technical and solution designs from an operational perspective
* Experience working with ITSM processes, monitoring, support models, and multi-vendor environments
* Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
* Ability to analyse documentation, identify gaps, and recommend practical improvements
Desirable
* ITIL v4 certification
* Experience in complex enterprise or large-scale project environments
* Hands-on experience with ServiceNow ITSM including process design, improvement or implementation