KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Cloud Strategy & Architecture: Lead the design and execution of cloud migration strategies for banking data centres, ensuring secure, compliant, and scalable Azure and hybrid cloud environments; Architect containerised solutions using Kubernetes, OpenShift, and Docker for banking applications with high availability and fault tolerance; Develop and implement cloud security frameworks tailored to banking regulatory requirements (SEC, PCI-DSS, GxP compliance).
Technical Project Management: Manage end-to-end delivery of complex cloud transformation and infrastructure projects using PRINCE2 and Agile methodologies; Lead cross-functional, multi-regional teams, ensuring alignment with project goals, timelines, budgets, and quality standards; Drive DevOps adoption, including CI/CD pipeline creation, automated testing, and release management.
Enterprise Architecture & Governance: Establish and enforce enterprise architecture governance to align IT initiatives with banking business strategies and compliance mandates; Advise CIOs and senior leadership on cloud technology roadmaps, investment prioritisation, and risk mitigation; Lead federated architecture communities to balance decentralised decision-making with enterprise-wide standards.
Operational Excellence & Innovation: Implement automation frameworks (Terraform, Ansible, Puppet) and scripting (Python, PowerShell) to optimise infrastructure provisioning and management; Replace legacy monitoring with agentless, out-of-band hardware monitoring to improve operational efficiency and security; Continuously evaluate emerging cloud technologies and integrate innovative solutions to enhance banking IT infrastructure.
Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Act as trusted advisor to business and IT stakeholders, translating complex technical concepts into business value; Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and SLAs with key technology providers (Microsoft, AWS, Cisco, Dell, IBM, VMware); Facilitate communication and collaboration across business units, IT teams, and external partners.
Team Leadership & Development: Lead, mentor, and develop a diverse team of cloud SMEs and architects, fostering a culture of continuous learning and high performance; Conduct performance reviews, conflict resolution, and career development planning.
MANDATORY SKILLS
- Extensive experience (15+ years) in cloud architecture and IT infrastructure within banking/financial services.
- Microsoft Certified Azure Expert/AWS Certified Advanced Networking Specialty.
- PRINCE2/PMP Practitioner certification.
- Proven expertise in cloud migration, hybrid cloud, and data centre transformation projects.
- Strong knowledge of banking regulatory compliance (SEC, PCI-DSS, GxP).
- Hands-on experience with Azure, AWS, VMware, Cisco UCS, Dell iDRAC, HP iLO.
- Proficiency in container orchestration: Kubernetes, OpenShift, Docker.
- Infrastructure as Code expertise: Terraform, ARM templates.
- Configuration management tools: Ansible, Puppet, CFEngine.
- Programming and scripting: Python, PowerShell, Shell scripting, PERL, C#, .NET.
- Monitoring and management tools: Dynatrace, PRTG, IBM Tivoli, Nagios, Azure Insights.
- Strong project management skills with experience managing multi-year, complex IT projects.
- Agile, Scrum, and DevOps methodologies expertise.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience managing multicultural, geographically distributed teams.
DESIRABLE SKILLS
- Support Experience designing hybrid internal cloud platforms using Azure SDK and JSON templates.
- Knowledge of software packaging and deployment (MSI, RPM, pkgadd).
- Familiarity with big data technologies: Hadoop, HDFS, MapReduce.
- Business analysis and requirements management skills.
- Vendor management and contract negotiation experience.
- Familiarity with database technologies: Oracle, PL/SQL, SQL Server.
- Experience with version control systems: Git, SVN, CVS.
- Experience in telecom and clinical research domains with GxP compliance.
- Ability to mentor and coach technical teams and peers.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and detail-oriented mindset.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electronics, Communication Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical discipline.
Additional certifications in Cisco Data Centre, Agile, DevOps, are advantageous.