IT Operations Delivery Lead at WaterAid UK

About the team

The WaterAid global IT team is a strategic, customer-focused function that enables secure, scalable and sustainable technology services across our federation.

The team leads the delivery of front-line IT support, cybersecurity and infrastructure services, while also guiding the strategic development and integration of applications and enterprise architecture.

In addition to providing direct services to over 250 UK-based staff, the team supports WaterAid personnel across more than 20 countries, working in close partnership with external vendors and in-country teams to ensure a consistent, high-performing global IT experience.

Through a focus on technical standards, resilience and innovation, the team plays a critical role in delivering WaterAid’s digital ambitions and ensuring technology underpins effective, efficient and impactful global operations.

The IT Operations Delivery Lead is responsible for ensuring the effective and efficient delivery of WaterAid’s core IT operational services. This role leads the delivery and continuous improvement of baseline IT operations, primarily through the management of a third-party Managed Service Provider (MSP) and plays a key role in shaping the future of WaterAid’s service delivery model.

The role acts as Product Owner for WaterAid’s enterprise service management platform (ServiceNow), ensuring it supports IT service delivery processes and evolves in alignment with organisational needs. It also plays a critical role in integrating new technical capabilities into baseline operations, coordinating closely with delivery teams to ensure sustainable, well-supported change.

With a focus on automation, service maturity and operational excellence, the IT Operations Delivery Lead identifies and implements opportunities to reduce manual effort, improve efficiency and scale support capabilities across WaterAid’s diverse country programme and UK-based operations.

About the role

As our IT Operations Delivery Lead, you will ensure the reliable, efficient delivery of core IT services and drive operational excellence across WaterAid’s global technology landscape, working closely with the Managed Service Provider, technical delivery teams and colleagues across the UK and international programmes to enable sustainable, scalable change.

In this role, you will:

• Lead the delivery of reliable, responsive IT support services across UK and global operations.
• Manage and optimise the performance of the Managed Service Provider, ensuring strong vendor relationships and effective service governance.
• Act as Product Owner for the service management platform (ServiceNow), driving process maturity, user experience and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate the smooth transition of new tools, platforms and services into operational support through readiness planning and clear handovers.
• Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding.

Requirements

To be successful, you will need:

• Experience leading IT service delivery or IT operations in a complex or multi-country environment.
• Ability to manage third party suppliers, including SLAs, escalations and continuous improvement.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, able to work with technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
• Ability to analyse service performance data and drive practical, scalable improvements.

Although not essential, we’d prefer you to have:

• Experience acting as Product Owner or Service Manager for an ITSM platform such as ServiceNow.
• Knowledge of ITIL practices and service management frameworks.
• Experience supporting operational change, automation, or service optimisation initiatives.