IT Operations Delivery Lead

  • WATERAID
  • Feb 12, 2026
Full time I.T. & Communications

Job Description

IT Operations Delivery Lead

Contract: Permanent , Full time 35 hours per week

Location: London, UK.

UK hybrid working a minimum of 60 % of working time is spent face-to-face in the London office with flexibility around the remaining two days. As needed, the role might be required to be in person more than 3 days on any given week.

Salary: £57,415 - £60,436 per year with excellent benefits.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that for everyone, everywhere. Join us and your energy will help unlock people s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

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.

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.

Closing date: Applications will close 12:00 PM UK time on 02 March 2026. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 09 March 2026.

How to apply: Click Apply to answer the pre-screening questions and upload your CV only.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre-employment screening: To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Benefits

  • 36 days holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
  • Option to buy an extra 5 days annual leave
  • Employer pension contribution up to 10 %
  • Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
  • Season ticket loan
  • Free annual eye tests
  • Give as you Earn charitable giving scheme
  • Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
  • Sabbaticals
  • One paid volunteer day each year

As part of our annual leave policy, all employees receive three additional days of annual leave on top of their standard allocation of 25 days. These days are designated to cover the period when our UK office closes between Christmas and New Year, allowing all UK Water Aiders to take a well-deserved break.

These days are automatically scheduled and cannot be changed or moved. Annual leave is accrued based on your start date. If sufficient leave has not been accrued by the time of the closure, the 3 days will be taken as unpaid leave or pro-rated, depending on your circumstances.

Our Global Commitment:

Our people promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change!