Service Introduction Engineer (8m FTC)

About Penguin We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone. About the team The Technology team provides expertise and effective solutions to Penguin Random House. We integrate flexibility and agility which supports our consistent way of working. We set ourselves up for success by holding ourselves accountable and welcoming change. Each member of the Technology team brings skill and initiative to their role; we take personal ownership within a one team culture, working collaboratively to meet expectations from our stakeholders who trust us to deliver. The role We are looking for a highly motivated Service Introduction Engineer to join our growing Technology team on a 8-month fixed term contract basis. This role can be based at either our London or Colchester office and is offered with hybrid working (2 days per week onsite). Reporting to our Service Introduction and Change Manager, the Service Introduction Engineer will lead the rollout and operational readiness of a major SAP HANA implementation project. This role will be pivotal in ensuring that new and enhanced SAP services are designed, tested, and transitioned seamlessly into live operation, in line with enterprise service management standards. You will act as the bridge between project delivery and operational support teams, ensuring that the SAP HANA platform and its associated services are fully supportable, documented, and aligned with business needs. Key responsibilities: • Manage and deliver all aspects of service transition for the SAP HANA project, ensuring smooth handover to BAU support. • Develop and maintain service introduction plans, including testing, validation, training, and documentation. • Ensure all service readiness activities such as monitoring setup, incident management processes, and support documentation are completed prior to go-live. • Collaborate with project managers, SAP architects, and infrastructure teams to identify and mitigate operational risks. • Review and validate technical and support documentation, ensuring completeness and clarity. • Participate in the design and implementation of operational support models, ensuring compliance with ITIL best practices. What you’ll bring Essential criteria: • Strong background in service transition, operations, or service management within complex IT environments. • Hands-on experience supporting or onboarding SAP HANA or SAP ERP systems. • Solid understanding of ITIL principles, especially Service Transition and Service Operation. • Experience of using Agile methodologies and toolsets to successfully deliver a service. • Experience with enterprise infrastructure, including cloud, databases, and integration platforms. • Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. • Detail-oriented, proactive, and comfortable working in fast-paced project environments. Preferred criteria: • ITIL v4 Foundation or higher certification. • Experience working in large-scale SAP transformations or migrations. • Familiarity with change and release management processes. Application instructions Please apply with your CV by 23:59 on Wednesday 19th November 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the advert may close at any time. We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note we are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate. AI Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team. We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself! While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you. Salary The salary band for this position is £50,000-£55,000 pro rata for the duration of the contract, depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus a generous bonus scheme and benefits. Hybrid working While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect that you will work from the London (Embassy Gardens) or Colchester (Frating) office a minimum of 2 days per week, with a willingness to travel across both sites as required.