Business Systems Service and Operations Manager

Job Title: Business Systems Service and operations Manager

Location: Samlesbury – Hybrid, 3 days on site per week

Salary: £70,000 + depending on experience

Who we are:

Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future, for all of us.

From the depths of the ocean, to the far reaches of space, there’s no limit to where a career at BAE Systems could take you.

Job Description:

The Business Systems Application Services Manager leads the support, performance, and continuous improvement of critical business applications, ensuring reliable, secure, and high-quality service delivery.

The role manages a small team of IT specialists responsible for maintaining and enhancing Business Systems applications and supporting infrastructure. Working closely with Business Systems Functional teams, the postholder ensures application services align with evolving business needs and organisational priorities.

Key responsibilities include driving service improvement initiatives, developing application service strategies, optimising system performance, and maintaining hosting environments that underpin service delivery. The role also provides technical leadership, supports issue resolution, and ensures users receive effective and timely assistance.

You will champion security best practices, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and safeguarding Business Systems data. You will also identify risks associated with hardware, software, and hosting obsolescence, providing recommendations and remediation plans to maintain service resilience.

Strong leadership, stakeholder management, and technical expertise are essential to delivering efficient, secure, and continuously improving application services that support business objectives.

Core duties:

• Spearhead continuous improvement initiatives within Business Systems application services, focusing on enhancing efficiency, user experience, and overall service delivery
• Manage and optimise the performance of Business Systems applications, with a focus on providing excellent application services that span multiple networks
• Lead a team of IT professionals, with focused specialisms, to ensure effective support and continuous improvement of Business Systems applications
• Collaborate closely with Business Systems Functional teams to align application services with evolving business requirements
• Develop and implement IT service strategies to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of Business Systems application services
• Ensure compliance with security standards and implement measures to safeguard Business Systems data
• Provide technical guidance and support to end-users, troubleshooting issues, and implementing solutions
• Maintain hosting capabilities that underpin the delivery of application services
• Highlight obsolescence relating to Business Systems Hardware, Hosting and Software and advise on the remediation

Essential Skills:

• Relevant Information Systems or Engineering qualifications, and/or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of ITIL framework and processes and IT trends and good practice
• Understanding of software development lifecycle, methodologies, reviews, policies, standards and governance
• Experience in leading teams

The Business Systems Competency Centre:

The Business Systems Competency Centre is responsible for the introduction, maintenance, support, consolidation and retirement of IM&T Systems consumed by PM, ITS, Export Control, Security, Materials Engineering, Procurement and Commercial. The Business Systems Team works across all lines of business within the AIR Sector. Business Systems takes responsibility for these systems across the entire software development lifecycle. Applications range from 3rd party COTS to internally developed web applications, most apps are hosted on premise and are used solely by AIR, a small number of apps are used by other business groups within BAE.

Why BAE Systems?

Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive:

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 28th September 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

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