Operations Manager

Hybrid | Portsmouth | SC Cleared

-90,000100,000

This is a high-impact role where reliability, security, and performance are critical. You''ll lead the operational support function, ensuring services are delivered consistently, securely, and in line with ITIL best practice, while driving continuous improvement across a complex digital estate.

Working closely with engineering, delivery teams, stakeholders, and third-party suppliers, you''ll play a central role in keeping essential services running smoothly within a highly regulated environment.

What you''ll be doing

• Own day-to-day operations across a large portfolio of live digital services
• Lead ITIL-aligned processes including incident, problem, change, release, and service management
• Drive proactive service assurance, monitoring, and continuous improvement
• Ensure rapid resolution of issues impacting availability, security, or performance
• Support the smooth transition of services from delivery into live operations
• Manage third-party suppliers and ensure SLAs are consistently met
• Produce service reporting, performance insights, and risk assessments for senior stakeholders
• Maintain governance aligned to public sector/ defence standards and cyber security requirements

What we''re looking for

• Strong background in IT Operations, Service Management, or Application Support
• Proven experience applying ITIL best practices across multiple live services
• Experience supporting large portfolios of live applications
• Excellent stakeholder and supplier management skills
• Ability to operate confidently in critical, high pressure environments
• Current SC clearance (essential)
• Experience in defence or government environments

This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a strategically important role supporting critical defence capability, with real ownership and visibility from day one.