Sr. Manager, Service Desk & IT Automation (Hybrid in Bangalore)

Smartsheet is looking for a highly technical leader to head our India-based Service Desk and IT Automation operations. This is a working manager role that requires both hands-on technical execution and team leadership. You will manage a team spanning Service Desk, Tier 1 SOC support, and IT Automation Engineering — driving the technical maturity of our global support infrastructure through automation, scripting, and deep systems integration.

This is a unique working manager role that requires both hands-on technical contribution and team leadership. The position operates in a collaborative matrix structure, where the India-based manager ensures execution and delivery while US-based managers maintain accountability for outcomes and strategic direction. This role reports directly to the Director of End User Systems with close, cooperative partnership with US-based Desktop Support managers.

You Will

IT Automation & Architecture

• Support the IT automation function, driving initiatives that reduce repetitive work and scale operations efficiently
• Identify repetitive Tier 1 tasks and drive end-to-end automation from identification through build, testing, and measurement
• Mentor team on automation best practices and review technical designs before deployment

Team Leadership & Execution

• Manage India-based Service Desk team with daily coordination with US managers
• Ensure clear direction, track progress, remove blockers, and escalate capacity constraints to the Director
• Monitor team performance against SLAs, quality standards, and service desk metrics
• Lead new employee onboarding sessions

Hands-On Technical Contribution

• Resolve tickets across hardware, software, network, and user access; handle overflow and critical issues
• Perform desktop administration: software deployment, system configuration, user provisioning, and hardware lifecycle management
• Create and maintain knowledge base articles and process documentation

Security & People Development

• Oversee Tier 1 SOC operations: triage, alert response, and adherence to incident response playbooks
• Coach, mentor, and support career growth for India-based engineers; hire and develop top technical talent

You Have

Experience

• 8+ years in IT engineering or Service Desk operations, including automation engineering experience
• 4+ years managing or leading technical support teams in matrixed or distributed organizations
• Proven track record delivering cross-functional projects with technical ambiguity

Technical Skills

• Deep proficiency in PowerShell or Python; experience building scalable IT automation workflows
• Strong hands-on experience with Freshservice (or similar ITSM), including workflow orchestration and API integrations
• Experience with Active Directory, M365, Jamf, and endpoint management via Intune and/or Jamf
• Working knowledge of EDR platforms, firewalls, and incident response; familiarity with ITIL or equivalent frameworks

Work Style

• Excellent English communication skills; self-motivated with strong follow-through
• Comfortable balancing hands-on technical work with management in a US-directed, India-based structure
• Flexible to accommodate daily cross-timezone coordination (India ↔ US)
• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience

Working Relationship Model:

Direct Report: Director of End User Systems | Daily Coordination: US-based Desktop Support managers | Responsibility: Ensuring work execution and providing on-site team support | Accountability for Outcomes: Resides with US-based managers

Note: This role requires daily coordination with US-based teams and flexibility in working hours to accommodate cross-timezone collaboration.