Head of App Services

Kyndryl

Head of App Services transforming Kyndryl’s UK application services through AI, modern engineering and global delivery. Driving portfolio growth, operational excellence and client outcomes.

Posted 9/2/2026full-timeLondon • 🇬🇧 United KingdomLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates extensive experience in IT Services and application transformation, with a strong focus on AI, automation, and DevSecOps methodologies. Proven ability to manage large-scale service portfolios and drive operational excellence through strategic planning and execution.

Highest-signal resume keywords

15+ Years IT Services ExperienceLarge-Scale App Services LeadershipP&L Ownership and Financial ManagementAI and Automation ImplementationRisk Management and Governance

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Application DevelopmentService Portfolio ManagementDevSecOpsCloud Operating ModelsApplication MaintenanceAI-Assisted Service DeliveryITILAgileSRELegacy Modernisation

Soft Skills

Executive CommunicationClient Relationship ManagementLeadershipStrategic ThinkingProblem Solving

Tools & Technologies

AWSMicrosoft AzureGoogle CloudAIOpsObservability ToolsIntegration PlatformsCybersecurity SolutionsIdentity and Access ManagementData Protection ToolsOperational Resilience Frameworks

Certifications & Qualifications

Public Cloud CertificationsMBAAdvanced Technology Degree

Industry Keywords

Application Management ServicesIT Managed ServicesService TransitionChange ManagementIncident ManagementProblem ManagementCommercial ModelsGovernance ControlsContinuous ImprovementTalent Development

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AWSAzureCloudCyber SecurityITSM

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define and execute the UK App Services strategy and three-year transformation roadmap
Build differentiated AI-powered App Services propositions and own the service portfolio lifecycle
Act as senior App Services thought leader and represent Kyndryl in the marketplace, industry forums and partner ecosystem
Partner with Sales, Alliance, Ecosystem, Account Management and Solutioning teams to drive bookings, renewals and expansion revenue
Contribute to major pursuits, transformation proposals and executive briefings
Own the App Services business plan, investments, operating model and overall performance
Design and establish a global Development Factory primarily leveraging India
Define the factory operating model, organisational structure, location strategy, governance and talent ramp-up plan
Create standardised product ownership, development, QA, release, test automation, DevSecOps and knowledge management processes
Build scalable global delivery workforce and integrated UK/India delivery organisation
Develop and institutionalise an AI-, automation- and data-driven App Services methodology
Embed AI-assisted incident triage, ticket routing, knowledge generation, root cause analysis and predictive service management
Establish AI-assisted engineering, modern architecture, DevSecOps, SRE, continuous delivery and agent-based operating practices
Define engineering, ITSM, observability, automation, knowledge management and AI tooling architectures with governance controls
Create reusable delivery playbooks, service patterns, accelerators, templates and control points
Develop UK and India workforce strategy, talent pipelines, competency frameworks, career paths, learning programmes and succession plans
Establish partnerships with vendors, universities, training providers and industry bodies
Govern portfolio delivery, contractual commitments, SLAs, KPIs, service reviews, incidents, escalations and continuous improvement
Drive application modernisation, technical debt reduction, platform transformation, engineering improvement and AI adoption programmes
Own risk management, controls, resilience, continuity planning, regulatory compliance and executive risk reporting
Own P&L performance, pricing strategy, solution economics, deal reviews, renewals, utilisation and margin improvement
Act as executive sponsor for strategic clients and lead executive reviews, transformation briefings, risk discussions and innovation showcases

Requirements

What you’ll need

15+ years of experience in IT Services, application and system integration transformation and programme delivery, managed services or enterprise technology delivery
10+ years leading large-scale App Services, application operations or managed service organisations
Proven experience managing significant service portfolios, ideally £50m+ in annual revenue or equivalent operational scale
Experience across application development, product lifecycle management, application maintenance and modernisation
Experience establishing or scaling offshore/global delivery centres, preferably in India
Strong understanding of application support, maintenance, enhancement, modernisation and service transition
Experience implementing AI, automation, DevOps, SRE, ITIL and cloud operating models in a production service environment
Strong risk, governance and control experience across complex managed service contracts
Financial and commercial management experience, including P&L ownership, margin improvement and deal economics
Experience working with senior client executives and leading complex client escalations
Desirable: experience in a Tier 1 global systems integrator or large-scale UK IT Services organisation
Desirable: experience building new service lines
Desirable: knowledge of Agentic AI operating models and AI governance in enterprise environments
Desirable: public cloud certifications or strong operating knowledge of AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud or hybrid cloud environments
MBA, advanced technology degree or equivalent senior business leadership qualification listed as desirable
Knowledge of Application Management Services, IT managed services operating models, application development, AI-assisted service delivery, AIOps, observability, ITIL, Agile, DevOps, DevSecOps, SRE, cloud-native applications, enterprise applications, integration platforms, legacy modernisation, cybersecurity, identity and access management, data protection, operational resilience, regulatory controls, commercial models, service transition, change, release, incident and problem management

Benefits

Comp & perks

Flexible, supportive environment
Well-being prioritized
Hybrid-friendly culture
Be Well programs supporting financial, mental, physical, and social health
Personalized development goals and continuous feedback
Cutting-edge learning opportunities
Certifications with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon
Coaching and hands-on experiences
Career path tools and in-demand skills development
Employee referral opportunity