Moving from IT Project Management into Service Management

[Rev Limit]

Hi All,

Bit of background first, I’ve been working in IT Project Management for around 6 years now, mainly focused around infrastructure and end user computing and mainly in large Insurers.

I’ve wanted to move into IT Service Management for a while now as I’ve been feeling ‘burnt out’ with project management, but haven’t really had any opportunity to make an internal move as the companies I’ve worked for previously didn’t really have much of a service management function and what they did have was outsourced, so I put the move on the back burner.

I’m now stepping up my efforts to try and move across, I recently got down to the final interview stage for an IT SDM role at a well known insurer but was pipped to the post by someone with more in role experience, which was disappointing but not entirely surprising.

So I’m looking for some tips/guidance on moving into service management, I think a lot of the skills I’ve developed as a PM over the years are transferable but it’s just finding a company that would be willing to take me on. My ideal role would be an internal Service delivery manager within financial services. I did ITIL v3 some years back and have just started ITIL4 too, so hopefully that will increase my chances.

Cheers
Alex

[ozzuk]

In my experience SDM roles are often relatively low paid and lower skilled, could be a step back for you. Have you considered Business Partner roles? You'd be able to use your PM knowledge to help businesses identify and delivery projects, but getting more satisfaction as you'd be sticking around to ensure/judge the benefits realisation (usually the PM has moved on by then). Typically much higher paid than SDM unless you get really lucky.

[Rev Limit]

I’ve had plenty of people say that Project Management is a low skilled career too!

I’d consider a BP role too, my stakeholder management experience would transfer into that I guess.