Life of an AmeXio Service Delivery Manager

Author: Noémi Govaerts

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11 February 2025

GET TO KNOW Michaël Milis

Within the AmeXio organization, Service Delivery Managers are part of the dedicated AmeXio Service Center. The AmeXio Service Center comprises 30 highly skilled professionals, each specializing in a specific technology from the AmeXio portfolio.

The role of a Service Delivery Manager (SDM) at AmeXio is pivotal, bridging the gap between the client and the technical team. A SDM ensures that the services provided meet the client's expectations, are delivered on time, and maintain a high level of quality. This role requires a blend of technical knowledge, project management skills, and customer service expertise.

Here's a closer look at what my life is like for an SDM at AmeXio.

Daily Responsibilities


Client Engagement and Relationship Management

As SDM, I’m the main point of contact for my assigned clients, responsible for managing expectations, handling escalations, and ensuring satisfaction.

Regular meetings with my clients help me understand their evolving needs so I’m able to provide feedback to the AmeXio internal service team. Daily standup, Bi-weekly status meeting or Monthly Tactical / steering committee meetings are all examples of client and team meetings that cross my path at AmeXio.

Building strong relationships with clients is crucial. I must be approachable, reliable, and responsive to maintain client trust and ensure long-term partnerships. Avoid this job in case you have an allergic reaction when using Teams, efficient communication is key.

Service Performance Monitoring

A significant part of my role involves monitoring the quality of delivered services. This includes defining / configuring customer Key Performance Indicators and monitoring them through service level agreements (SLAs), i.e. ensuring uptime, and making sure that any issues are resolved promptly.

We use various tools and dashboards to monitor service metrics, identify trends, and anticipate potential problems before they escalate. Atlassian Jira (Service Desk), Pingdom, Uptimerobot, Datadog, SLA dashboards / reporting are a few of the tools we have at our disposal at AmeXio to track performance.

Coordination with the team

AmeXio SDM’s colaborate closely with various colleagues / AmeXio roles. Within this ‘internal’ collaboration we ensure that everyone is aligned with the client's expectations and that any challenges are addressed quickly.

Collaboration is key. I must effectively communicate the client's needs to the team and translate technical details back to the client in a way all different parties understand. Being able to translate the needs of my client to the technical team will be crucial in my success. At AmeXio we all have the best intentions for our clients in mind, however we don’t always speak the same language, that is where I can make a difference.

Problem Resolution and Incident Management

When issues arise, I step up and take charge of the situation, coordinating with the appropriate colleague(s) to resolve the problem as quickly as possible. We manage incident reports, root cause analysis, and ensure that corrective actions are implemented as soon as possible.

In high-pressure situations, the SDM's ability to stay calm, organized, and solution-focused is essential. Luckily at AmeXio we are surrounded by committed and talented colleagues, meaning we never face a potential crisis alone.

Service Improvement Initiatives

Beyond maintaining the quality levels of service, the SDM is also responsible for driving continuous improvement. This involves identifying areas where services can be enhanced, proposing new solutions, and implementing best practices.

Within this area, I may conduct service reviews, gather feedback from clients, and collaborate with the innovation / solutions team to introduce new technologies or processes that can enhance service delivery.

Reporting and Documentation

Regular reporting is also an important aspect of my SDM job. I provide clients with detailed reports on service performance, incident resolution, and ongoing projects. Internally, I document processes, maintain records of client interactions, and update service delivery plans. As mentioned earlier I will often present my reports in meetings with clients, in a steerco or tactical meetings.

Accurate and timely documentation ensures that there is a clear record of all activities, which is essential for transparency and accountability.
 

"One of the biggest challenges for SDM’s... is managing client expectations, especially in evolving IT landscapes. We need to negotiate realistic timelines and service levels without compromising quality."


Key Skills and Competencies
 

Technical Acumen

While I may not be as technically deep as the engineers, a solid understanding of IT infrastructure, software development, and cloud services is crucial. This knowledge allows me to effectively communicate with both clients and technical teams. To support this, AmeXio will give you the opportunity to follow all necessary trainings.

Service/Project Management methodologies

Managing timelines, budgets, and resources is a significant part of my SDM role. I need to be adept at certain project management methodologies like Agile, Scrum, or more general ITIL, which are commonly used / mentioned in IT service management.

Communication Skills

Excellent communication skills are non-negotiable. I must be able to convey technical concepts in a way that clients can understand them.

Problem-Solving

The ability to think on one’s feet and find solutions to unexpected challenges is essential. As a SDM at AmeXio, I must be proactive in identifying potential issues and ideally resolving them before they impact the client.

Leadership and Team Coordination

As a leader, the SDM must inspire confidence in the team, manage conflicts, and keep everyone focused on delivering the best possible service to the client.

Customer-Centric Mindset

Understanding the client’s business needs and goals is critical. I always keep the client’s perspective in mind and strive to deliver services that align with their strategic objectives.
 

Challenges Faced by Service Delivery Managers
 

Balancing Client Expectations with Resource Constraints

One of the biggest challenges for SDM’s (and moreover Project Managers) is managing client expectations, especially in evolving IT landscapes. We need to negotiate realistic timelines and service levels without compromising quality. At AmeXio we have regular planning meetings to match the right resource with the right work or project, at AmeXio we always try to be inventive and flexible in proposing solutions. However, where planning, scope, budget are main well-known assets to play with, we don’t like to touch quality.

Handling High-Stress Situations

Exceptional service disruptions, system outages, or project delays can lead to stress situations. The SDM must remain calm under pressure, ensuring that the team stays focused on resolving the issue and communicating effectively with the client throughout the process.

Keeping Up with Technological Changes

The IT industry is constantly evolving, with new technologies and methodologies emerging all the time. Also in the field of Service Delivery Management, one must stay informed about these changes and understand how they can impact service delivery. AmeXio will offer various opportunities to train and stay on top of your field.
 

The Rewards of the Role

Being an AmeXio Service Delivery Manager is highly rewarding. It offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of technology and business, making a tangible impact on the success of both the client and the IT company. SDMs are often seen as the unsung heroes of the IT world, ensuring that services are delivered smoothly and that clients remain satisfied.

In conclusion, my life of a Service Delivery Manager at AmeXio is dynamic, challenging, and highly collaborative. It requires a unique blend of technical knowledge, people skills, and a customer-centric approach. For those who thrive in a fast-paced environment and enjoy solving complex problems, it can be an incredibly fulfilling career.

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Michaël Milis
Service Delivery Manager - AmeXio 

Author: Noémi Govaerts

Back to overview

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