Service Assurance Lead

About the role

As the Service Assurance Lead you will provide assurance that all Service Management Centre outcomes are being delivered effectively across the Partnership.

You will define the appropriate outcomes and then ensure key stakeholders in Technology Product and Platform teams are carrying out the required activities relating to Capacity, Disaster Recovery (DR), Business Continuity (BC), Risk and Service Design & Transition. You will ensure technology and security controls are effectively and proportionately monitored and managed across the Technology function.

In the Technology Shared Capability, you will have the opportunity to develop and stretch personally and professionally to achieve your potential.

• Expected Salary - £60,000 - £75,000

• Contract type - This position is a Secondment/Fixed Term contract - September 2025 till March 2026.

• Working pattern/flexible working - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. 

• Location - This role is based at our Bracknell site once a week

As the Service Assurance Lead you will own the decisions for: 

•  Defining and implementing the appropriate guardrails predominantly relating to Capacity Management and service continuity 

• Ensuring Product and Platform teams are compliant with the above, providing subject matter expertise and intervening where required 

• Drafting and ongoing management of assurance outcomes with third party suppliers and contracts 

• You will also have key input into decisions on DR/BC Testing, Risk Management, Audit, Business Capacity Planning - key business events and processes which feed into Operations (change management). 

• You will work closely with the other Service Management areas and interface with the established Product & Platform teams to embed capability within areas.

Essential skills/experience you’ll need

• Recognised internally and externally for knowledge and expertise in areas of Capacity and Availability Management/ Service Continuity 

• Strong working knowledge of ITIL (3 or 4) or equivalent qualification 

• Demonstrates a broad outlook and ability to think on medium to long-term horizons 

• Demonstrates ability to ‘think on feet’ anticipate complications and establish priorities 

• Thinks conceptually; recognises connections to larger frames of reference (the big picture) and translates between abstract ideas and practical use 

• Demonstrates clear leadership experience and the ability to influence and persuade 

• Ability to make sound decisions which influence the work of the Partnership’s objectives and financial performance

• High impact leader and trusted advisor: has full confidence of peers and senior IT Leadership 

• Demonstrates consistent ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively, formally and informally, with all stakeholders 

• Demonstrates understanding and knowledge of audience and tailors message and delivery method accordingly

Desirable skills/experience you may have 

• Experience of working in a SIAM environment 

• Working knowledge of Agile methodologies eg Scrum, Kanban 

• Relevant qualification or relevant industry knowledge and experience 

• Experience with working with offshore managed service providers

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The Partnership

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.  

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.  

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.