Head of Service Architecture & Tooling

Salary: £68,000 - 108,000 per year

Requirements:

• We require strategic and technical leadership, with the ability to drive high-quality, innovative service solutions and a culture of continuous improvement.
• We need experience navigating complex delivery environments across supplier networks, internal teams, and wider government stakeholders.
• We require the ability to deliver robust, resilient services within time, cost, and quality constraints, including effective implementation, testing, and documentation.
• We need experience shaping and defining standards, contributing to service strategies and technical roadmaps aligned to organisational priorities.
• We require the ability to anticipate future technology developments and advise on opportunities to enhance services and capability.
• We need strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to adapt approach for senior stakeholders and manage expectations.
• We require a flexible, pragmatic delivery approach across agile, DevOps, and traditional methodologies where appropriate.
• We need knowledge of Lean, Agile, and DevOps in product-centric delivery environments, with the ability to drive process improvement and establish best practice.
• We require a solid understanding of ITIL functions and core service management methodologies.
• We require ITIL foundation.
• We require relevant project/programme management qualifications, such as Agile, PRINCE2, DevOps, SIAM, or Lean, or a willingness to acquire them.

Responsibilities:

• We lead the development of end-to-end service design for new and evolving services, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and the wider service ecosystem.
• We provide strategic oversight of service design and transition activity, ensuring services are supportable, sustainable, and deliver value.
• We engage senior stakeholders across ESMCP, suppliers, and partner organisations to shape requirements, influence decisions, and resolve complex delivery challenges.
• We oversee the production and quality of key service artefacts, including Service Design Packages, ensuring consistency with best practice and governance standards.
• We lead service readiness and transition planning for new services, ensuring effective integration into live operations and alignment with existing capabilities.
• We drive continuous improvement across service management, identifying opportunities to modernise processes, improve tooling, and increase automation.
• We establish and promote best practice within the IT Operations and service management community, building organisational capability.
• We maintain oversight of the transition pipeline, forecasting demand and ensuring effective resource planning.
• We lead, develop, and manage a multi-disciplinary team, fostering a high-performing and inclusive culture, supporting professional development and succession planning.
• We may also undertake other duties within the scope of the grade and our skills, competence, and training.
• Over time, this role transitions from hands-on delivery to a predominantly assurance-focused function, with greater emphasis on oversight and performance.

Technologies:

• DevOps
• ITIL
• Architect
• Support
• Matrix
• Security

More:

We are the Home Office, working to make our country safer by reducing crime, enforcing the law, protecting the vulnerable, and providing refuge to those who have been displaced or are seeking asylum. This role sits within the Public Safety Group, where we work with partners across government, local government, the voluntary sector, and law enforcement to develop and implement policy, provide funding, and deliver legislation. As Head of Service Architecture and Tooling, you will join a fast-paced environment supporting ministerial commitments and working closely with Live Services, ESN Service Operations, wider ESMCP workstreams, suppliers, and emergency services organisations. The role is based in Bristol or London, is full time, and offers a salary of 76,879 to 88,967 per year, along with Civil Service benefits including a pension, annual leave, reward scheme, and hybrid working where business needs allow.

last updated 35 week of 2026