Operational Readiness Analyst

Kforce Inc; Lake Forest (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kforce is seeking an Operational Readiness Analyst in Lake Forest, IL to ensure technology solutions are fully prepared for production deployment and ongoing support. You will partner with project teams, IT operations, infrastructure, and business stakeholders to drive readiness activities and manage risk across cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities include leading readiness assessments, coordinating service transitions, preparing documentation and recovery plans, and tracking milestones to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business, Computer Science, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in IT Operations, Service Management, Project Coordination, Service Transition, or Operational Readiness.
• Understanding of IT service management principles and operational support processes.
• Experience with change, incident, problem, and release management practices.
• Familiarity with ITIL-based processes including change, incident, and release management.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational readiness assessments for technology initiatives.
• Coordinate service transition and production support handoffs.
• Ensure support processes, documentation, monitoring, and recovery plans are in place before go-live.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks and readiness gaps.
• Facilitate cross-functional readiness reviews and stakeholder signoffs.
• Track readiness milestones, deliverables, and status reporting.

Skills

IT Operations

Service Management

Project Coordination

Operational Readiness

ITIL Processes

Stakeholder Management

Communication Skills

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT/Business/CS

Tools

ServiceNow

Job description

Responsibilities

Kforce has a client in Lake Forest, IL that is looking for an Operational Readiness Analyst to help ensure technology solutions are fully prepared for production deployment and long-term support. This role partners with project teams, IT operations, infrastructure, and business stakeholders to coordinate readiness activities, mitigate risk, and support seamless transitions into ongoing operations. Key Responsibilities:

• Lead operational readiness assessments for technology initiatives
• Coordinate service transition and production support handoffs
• Ensure support processes, documentation, monitoring, and recovery plans are in place before go-live
• Identify and mitigate operational risks and readiness gaps
• Facilitate cross-functional readiness reviews and stakeholder signoffs
• Track readiness milestones, deliverables, and status reporting

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business, Computer Science, or a related field
• 3+ years of experience in IT Operations, Service Management, Project Coordination, Service Transition, or Operational Readiness
• Understanding of IT service management principles and operational support processes
• Experience working with change management, incident management, problem management, and release management practices
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities
• Experience working across cross-functional technical and business teams
• Familiarity with ITIL-based processes, including change, incident, and release management
• Strong communication, organization, and stakeholder management skills
• Experience with ServiceNow or other ITSM platforms is a plus

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave.

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.