Permanent contract | Belval

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.

Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https://www.list.lu/

Context

The Head of IT Operations leads and continuously improves the organisation’s end-to-end IT operational services.

The role involves ensuring that IT services are delivered securely, reliably and efficiently in line with business expectations, regulatory requirements and agreed service levels.

In addition to owning service management and user-facing IT operations, the Head of IT Operations plays a key role in establishing and running IT Security Operations, coordinating system patching and vulnerability remediation, and overseeing end user computing and software asset management. The role acts as the operational backbone of IT, ensuring that services are stable, compliant, and resilient in a complex, research-driven environment.

The Head of IT Operations manages the entire IT Operations organisation, including Service Desk, End User Computing, ITSM processes, and operational security capabilities. Acting as the primary interface between IT and end users, this role shapes how IT services are delivered, consumed, and continuously improved across the organisation.

Working closely with other IT domain leaders (IT Infrastructure, Applications & Development, Information Security), the Head of IT Operations ensures strong operational coordination, security-by-design in day-to-day operations, and readiness for both routine activities and strategic initiatives.

Your team and environment

Your team - 10 people across 3 areas

• Service Desk - 6 agents | first line of support for 840 users across research and administrative functions

• Operational Security - 3 specialists | endpoint protection, access management operations, patching, and incident response support

• Software Asset Management - 1 specialist | licence compliance, CMDB, and vendor accountability

The IT Operations Office is structurally distinct from the Information Security.

On a day-to-day basis, you will work closely with the Head of Information Technologies service, your manager. He’s in charge of 4 Offices, including the IT operations one. In total, around 40+ people (IT Service).

Description

You will be mainly responsible for:

IT Operations Leadership & Governance

·         Manage the full IT Operations organisation, including Service Desk, End User Computing (EUC), IT Security Operations, and ITSM process ownership 

·         Define and execute an IT Operations strategy aligned with the overall IT strategy, with a strong focus on service reliability and operational excellence 

·         Establish clear operational governance, roles, responsibilities, and escalation paths across IT operational services 

·         Act as a member of the IT leadership team, contributing to operational risk management, prioritisation, and decision-making

Service Management & ITSM

·         Own and continuously improve IT service management (ITSM) processes, including incident, request, problem, change, release, and service catalogue management 

·         Own and continuously optimise the ITSM solution, driving adoption, automation, self-service, and process maturity in line with ITIL best practices

Service Desk, End User Computing & User Experience

·         Own Service Desk performance and service quality, ensuring a consistent, efficient, and user-centric support experience 

·         Oversee End User Computing (EUC), including workplace services, device lifecycle management, operating system and application standardisation, and support for remote and hybrid working 

·         Act as the primary interface between IT and end users, ensuring clear communication, expectation management, and a strong customer-service culture across IT Operations

Incident, Request & Operational Control

·         Lead incident and request management, ensuring effective prioritisation, timely resolution, and transparent stakeholder communication 

·         Own and coordinate major incident management, including stakeholder communication, root cause analysis, and tracking of corrective actions

IT Security Operations & Patching

·         Manage IT Security Operations in coordination with Information Security and IT Infrastructure teams 

·         Ensure operational execution of security controls, including endpoint protection, access management operations, monitoring, and incident response support 

·         Oversee system and application patching processes, ensuring timely remediation of vulnerabilities across servers, endpoints, and core systems 

·         Contribute to vulnerability management, audit readiness, and compliance activities from an operational perspective

Asset, License & Vendor Management

·         Own IT asset and configuration management, ensuring CMDB accuracy and lifecycle management 

·         Oversee software license management, ensuring compliance, cost optimisation, and vendor accountability 

·         Manage operational vendor relationships and service providers, ensuring performance against SLAs and contractual commitments 

·         Support budgeting, forecasting, and cost control related to IT operational services

Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

·         Define, monitor, and report on service performance using KPIs, SLAs, operational metrics, and user satisfaction indicators 

·         Analyse trends, recurring incidents, and systemic issues, driving structured continuous service improvement initiatives 

·         Champion standardisation, reliability, and operational excellence across IT services

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

Education

Background & experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

• Relevant certifications (ITIL, Microsoft, cloud) is a plus

• Extensive experience (10+ years) in IT Operations management, including hands-on experience in system management.

• Proven experience managing Service Desk, End User Computing, and operational IT teams

• Demonstrated experience implementing and running ITSM processes and tools 

• Practical exposure to IT security operations, system patching, and vulnerability remediation

• Solid technical understanding of enterprise IT environments (endpoints, servers, networks, identity, applications)

• Strong service-oriented and risk-aware mindset, balancing usability, security, and operational stability 

• Proven ability to manage incidents, security events, and operational escalations effectively 

• Experience with asset, license, and configuration management in complex environments 

• Strong analytical, organisational, and problem-solving skills 

• Excellent communication skills, able to engage with technical teams, management, auditors, and end users 

• Strong leadership skills with experience in managing and developing an IT Operations team

• Ability to foster a collaborative and innovative team culture while providing coaching and professional development to team members

• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships with business leaders, vendors, and other stakeholders

• Solid project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities concurrently

You are probably not our candidate if…

✗ You have managed IT operations exclusively in environments with fewer than 300 users - the scale and diversity of an 840-person RTO will be a steep curve

✗ You are looking for a very stable environment with “perfect” processes and tools, etc

✗ You are primarily a technical architect or engineer looking for a step into management - this role requires seasoned leadership, not a first exposure to people management

✗ You are uncomfortable operating with autonomy - we value initiative and self-direction

✗ You expect a homogeneous, technically predictable user base - our users include physicists, environmental engineers, software developers, administrative staff… with vastly different technical profiles and expectations

✗ Your approach to service improvement is based primarily on intuition rather than data - we expect decisions to be grounded in metrics, SLA analysis, and structured root cause methodology

✗ You are not fluent in English - both languages (English and French) are actively used within the IT team and with the broader research community

Language skills

·          Fluency in English both oral and written.

·          Good level in French.

Your LIST benefits

·          An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects

·          Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society

·          Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do

·          An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas

·          Personalized learning programme to foster our staff’s soft and technical skills

·          Multicultural and international work environment with more than 50 nationalities represented in our workforce

·          Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions

·          Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science

·          32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance

·          Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to Digital lunch vouchers

Apply online

Your application must include:

·          A motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience

·          A CV with contact details

·          Contact details of 2 references

Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

Application procedure and conditions

We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes only, as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.

LIST is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on national origin, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age, or disability.

Applications will be continuously reviewed until the position is filled. An assessment committee will thoroughly evaluate applications, adhering to guidelines designed to ensure equal opportunities. The primary criteria for selection will be the alignment of the applicant's existing skills and expertise with the requirements mentioned above.

As part of our recruitment process, the selected candidate might be subject to a background check in accordance with applicable laws and institutional policies. Further checks and restrictions might apply to candidates in compliance with export controls requirements

For the purposes of the position and in accordance with applicable legislation, the successful candidate may be requested to provide a recent criminal record certificate.