Interim Head of Technical Support

Station; Southampton; On-site; GBP 111,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Station is seeking an experienced Interim Head of IT Support in Southampton to own the IT support function, drive service improvement and lead across Problem Management, Major Incident Management and the Service Desk.

This on-site, 6-month contract requires current SC clearance and a day rate of 600-650 GBP Inside IR35, with a focus on ITIL-based service delivery, governance, and preparation for audits while shaping future ITSM platforms.

Qualifications

• ITIL best practice experience across incident, problem and change management.
• Strong leadership and accountability across IT support functions.
• Experience managing senior stakeholders and third-party suppliers.
• Experience driving service improvement and ITSM maturity.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of day-to-day IT support operations and lead the three reporting lines.
• Manage relationships with stakeholders and third-party suppliers to improve service delivery.
• Review and improve ITSM processes across incident, problem, change, request and asset management.
• Lead preparation for SDI audit and identify gaps to strengthen assurance and maturity.
• Support adoption of new ITSM platform and ensure alignment with business needs.

Skills

ITIL

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Service management

IT service delivery

Job description

Interim Head of IT Support Southampton (On-site - ideally 3 days per week) Contract - Initial 6 months 600 - 650 per day (Inside IR35) Current SC clearance essential

We’re working with a public sector organisation looking for an experienced Interim Head of IT Support to take ownership of its IT support function and drive service improvement. This is a senior operational role, leading through three key reports across Problem Management, Major Incident Management and the Service Desk. You’ll be responsible for maintaining effective service delivery, managing a complex customer base and working closely with third-party suppliers supporting key business systems. A key priority will be improving IT service management maturity, taking ownership of preparation for an upcoming SDI audit and identifying practical ways to strengthen processes, assurance and customer experience. There will also be an opportunity to influence how IT support evolves as the organisation moves towards a new ITSM platform.

Key Responsibilities

Take ownership of day-to-day IT support operations, providing clear leadership and accountability across the function. Lead through the Problem Manager, Major Incident Manager and Service Desk Manager, ensuring effective service delivery and escalation management. Build strong relationships with a varied and sometimes complex customer base, managing expectations and improving the customer experience. Oversee supplier relationships and service performance across key systems delivered by third-party providers. Review and improve ITSM processes across incident, problem, change, request and asset management, applying ITIL best practice. Lead preparation for the SDI audit, identifying gaps and coordinating the actions needed to improve service maturity and assurance. Identify opportunities to challenge legacy processes, improve ways of working and embed sustainable service improvements. Contribute to the adoption of a new ITSM platform, ensuring operational requirements and process improvements are reflected in how the service develops.

Required Experience

Proven experience operating at Head of IT Support, Head of Service Management or an equivalent senior IT service delivery level. Strong ITIL and IT service management knowledge, with experience across incident, problem and change management. Experience leading managers and teams across a service desk or IT support function. A track record of improving service delivery, processes and operational performance. Experience managing senior stakeholders, complex customer relationships and third-party suppliers. Strong understanding of service assurance, governance, escalations and continuous improvement. The ability to take ownership quickly, work with minimal supervision and deliver tangible improvements. Current, valid SC security clearance. Particularly Valuable Experience leading or preparing for SDI audits, service desk assessments or ITSM maturity improvement programmes. Experience supporting a complex public sector organisation would also be relevant. This is an opportunity for an experienced interim leader to make a tangible difference over an initial six-month assignment, taking ownership of an established IT support function and helping improve its service management maturity.