Head of App Services

The Head of App Services will define, build and lead a next-generation Application Development and Management Services business for a large UK IT Services firm. The role combines business leadership, service transformation, global delivery strategy, AI-led innovation, risk management, operational excellence and talent development. The candidate will combine product and service management disciplines to shape the strategic direction of the App Services business, balancing customer outcomes, operational excellence, innovation and commercial performance.

The successful candidate will establish a market-leading App Services capability that uses Generative AI, Agentic AI, automation, application security, cloud-native engineering, observability, modern engineering disciplines and industrialised delivery methods to improve client outcomes, accelerate application change, reduce cost-to-serve and strengthen service quality and resilience. The successful candidate will be the chief advocate for application services within the UKI business and be able to work within a global delivery model to grow and transform the App Services business.

They will demonstrate thought leadership on key trends in the application services market including application operations, modernisation and AI driven services. The successful candidate will help clients realise measurable business outcomes through modern application services, including accelerated business change, improved operational resilience, reduced technical debt, enhanced customer experience and increased delivery productivity. This will be achieved through a balanced blend of solutioning, programme delivery and managed services leadership across both transformational change initiatives and large-scale operational environments, recognising the different disciplines, risks and success measures associated with each The candidate will drive overall business transformation through a modern application focus that also considers all other technology elements such as infrastructure and data.

Critical to success will be the ability to leverage strategic alliances, hyperscaler partnerships, software vendors and technology ecosystems to create differentiated client value and accelerate business outcomes. The candidate will work closely with sales, account teams and strategic partners to develop differentiated propositions, create market opportunities and drive profitable growth across the App Services portfolio.

• Define and execute the App Services strategy for the UK business, positioning App Services as a strategic growth engine.
• Develop a three-year roadmap for App Services transformation, capability expansion and commercial growth.
• Build differentiated App Services propositions centred on AI-powered application support, application modernisation, leading engineering methods, Dev Sec Ops , cloud operations, observability, SRE and continuous improvement.
• Own the App Services service portfolio and lifecycle, ensuring services remain market relevant, commercially viable and aligned to client needs.
• Act as the senior App Services thought leader within the UKI business, shaping market positioning, industry engagement, technology direction and client innovation agendas.
• Represent Kyndryl within the marketplace, industry forums and partner ecosystem, building brand awareness, influencing next-generation application services trends and positioning Kyndryl as a recognised leader in modern application services.
• Partner with Sales, Alliance and Ecosystem partners, Account Management and Solutioning teams to drive App Services bookings, renewals and expansion revenue.
• Contribute to major pursuits, client transformation proposals and strategic executive briefings.
• Own the App Services business plan, investment priorities, operating model and overall business performance.

• Design and establish a world-class Development Factory primarily leveraging India but also other collaboratives, for application development, maintenance, enhancement, testing, modernisation and AI-assisted engineering.
• Work with the Global App Services factory lead to define the factory operating model, organisational structure, location strategy, governance framework and talent ramp-up plan. Key considerations will include the establishment of Centres of Excellence focused on Agentic AI-enabled App Services, modern engineering practices and strategic…