Service Design Lead

On behalf of UKRI, we are looking for a Service Design Lead (Inside IR35) for a 3 month contract (possibility of extension) based Hybrid in Swindon.

UKRI is seeking a Service Design Lead to redesign how it delivers core IT services such as End User Devices (EUD) and network management. This strategic, hands on role is responsible for leading the design and development of the organisation's Target Operating Model (TOM), transitioning from the current ("as-is") state to the desired future ("to-be") state. It includes conducting a full assessment and estimating the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to inform strategic and financial planning, while managing change and aligning internal teams and suppliers to a more effective operating model.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong service design background with the ability to think like a business architect, who can understand organisational structures, supplier relationships, governance and translate that into a practical, sustainable operating model.

As a Service Design Lead your main responsibilities will be to:
. Lead the design, documentation and validation of the Target Operating Model for IT Services.
. Focussing on End User Device (EUD) & Networks Management, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and objectives.
. Validate and adapt end-to-end analysis of the current operating model to identify opportunities for improvement, efficiency gains and cost optimisation.
. Develop detailed TCO estimates to support business case development and investment decision-making.
. Provide strategic leadership and expert guidance to ensure the TOM is both practical and achievable within the organisation's operational and financial constraints.
. Benchmark design principles against industry best practice and comparable models across enterprise and public sector organisations.
. Oversee implementation planning, ensuring clear governance, ownership and measurable success criteria.
. Collaborate with senior stakeholders to embed organisational change, ensuring the new model is sustainable and fully adopted.

Essential:
. Proven experience in Service Design and Operating model redesign for IT services.
. Experience designing and implementing Target Operating Models in large, complex organisations.
. Strong understanding of TCO modelling, financial planning and cost attribution.
. Ability to lead cross-functional teams and engage senior stakeholders to drive organisational change.
. Experience applying best practice frameworks across enterprise and public sector contexts.
. Excellent analytical, communication and presentation skills.
. Ability to translate complex concepts into actionable plans.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, UKRI guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Commitment

UKRI guarantees to interview veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".