Freelancer Content Strategist

Job Title:

Senior Cloud Infrastructure Engineer (Azure)

Department & Team

Technology

Location:

India

Reporting To:

Enterprise Solutions Architect

Role Purpose:

The purpose of the role is to ensure high systems availability across a multi-cloud environment, enabling the business to continue meeting its objectives.

This role will be mostly Azure / Windows / Active Directory / Azure AD focused but will include a requirement to understand comparative solutions in AWS.

Desire to maintain full hands-on status but to add Team Lead responsibilities in future

Client’s cloud strategy is based around a dual vendor solutioning model, utilising AWS and Azure services.  This enables us to access more technologies and helps mitigate risks across our infrastructure.

The Infrastructure Services Team is responsible for the delivery and support of all infrastructure used by Client twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.  The team’s primary function is to install, maintain, and implement all infrastructure-based systems, both On Premise and Cloud Hosted. The Infrastructure Services group already consists of three teams:

1. Network Services Team – Responsible for IP Network and its associated components

2. Platform Services Team – Responsible for Server and Storage systems

3. Database Services Team – Responsible for all Databases

This role will report directly into the Enterprise Solutions Architect and will have responsibility for the day to day running of the Azure public cloud platform, as well as playing a key part in designing best practise solutions. It will enable the Client business to achieve its stated objectives by playing a key role in the Infrastructure Services Team to achieve world class benchmarks of customer service and support.

Responsibilities:

Operations

· Deliver end to end technical and user support across all cloud platforms (Primarily Azure)

· Day to day, fully hands-on OS management responsibilities (Primarily Windows Server OS)

· Contribute to continuous improvement efforts around cost optimisation, security enhancement, performance optimisation, operational efficiency and innovation.

· Take an ownership role in delivering technical projects, ensuring best practise methods are followed.

· Design and deliver solutions around the concept of “Planning for Failure”. Ensure all solutions are deployed to withstand system / AZ failure.

· Work closely with Cloud Architects / Infrastructure Services Manager to identify and eliminate “waste” across cloud platforms.

· Ensure robust tagging strategy followed in the organisation with accurate cost allocation of resources in Azure.

· Ensure all Client data in all forms are backed up in a cost-efficient way.

· Use the appropriate monitoring tools to ensure all cloud / on-premise services are continuously monitored.

· Drive utilisation of most efficient methods of resource deployment.

· Drive the adoption, across the business, of serverless / open source / cloud native technologies where applicable.

· Ensure system documentation remains up to date and designed according to Azure best practise templates.

· Participate in detailed architectural discussions, calling on internal/external subject matter experts as needed, to ensure solutions are designed for successful deployment.

· Take part in regular discussions with business executives to translate their needs into technical and operational plans.

· Engaging with vendors regularly in terms of verifying solutions and troubleshooting issues.

· Designing and delivering technology workshops to other departments in the business.

· Takes initiatives for improvement of service delivery.

· Ensure that Client delivers a service that resonates with customer’s expectations, which sets Client apart from its competitors.

· Help design necessary infrastructure and processes to support the recovery of critical technology and systems in line with contingency plans for the business.

· Continually assess working practices and review these with a view to improving quality and reducing costs.

· Champions the new technology case and ensure new technologies are investigated and proposals put forward regarding suitability and benefit.

· Motivate and inspire the rest of the infrastructure team and undertake necessary steps to raise competence and capability as required.

· Help develop a culture of ownership and quality throughout the Infrastructure Services team.

Skills & Experience:

· Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert AZ-303– REQUIRED

· Microsoft Certified Professional ( MCP ) – REQUIRED

· AWS Certified Cloud Practicioner - Preferred

· Must be able to demonstrate working knowledge of designing, implementing and maintaining best practise Azure solutions.

· Strong working knowledge of on-prem Active Directory, including GPO and Azure AD

· Proven examples of ownership of large Azure project implementations in Enterprise settings.

· Enterprise production experience of deploying infrastructure as code using Terraform

· Experience managing the monitoring of infrastructure / applications using tools including Cloud native, Solarwinds, New Relic, etc.

· Must have practical working knowledge of driving cost optimisation, security enhancement and performance optimisation.

· Solid understanding and experience of transitioning IaaS solutions to serverless technology

· Need to be able to demonstrate security best-practise when designing solutions in Azure.

· Working experience of ‘On Premise to Cloud’ migrations

· Good working knowledge around WAN connectivity and how this interacts with the various entry point options into Azure public cloud. 

· Production knowledge of Windows file servers / DFS

· Strong experience in desktop virtualisation technologies in Azure

· Good appreciation of ISO27001, ITIL and Project management

· Good understanding of new and emerging technologies

· Excellent presentation skills to both an internal and external audience

· The ability to share your specific expertise to the rest of the Technology group

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Behavioural Fit:

· Professional appearance and manner

· High personal drive; results oriented; makes things happen; “can do attitude”

· Can work and adapt within a highly dynamic and growing environment

· Team Player; effective at building close working relationships with others

· Effectively manages diversity within the workplace

· Strong focus on service delivery and the needs and satisfaction of internal clients

· Able to see issues from a global, regional and corporate perspective

· Able to effectively plan and manage large projects

· Excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills at all levels

· Strong analytical, presentation and training skills

· Innovative and creative

· Demonstrates technical leadership

· Visionary and strategic view of technology enablers (creative and innovative)

· High verbal and written communication ability, able to influence effectively at all levels

· Possesses technical expertise and knowledge to lead by example and input into technical debates

· Depth and breadth of experience in infrastructure technologies

· Enterprise mentality and global mindset

· Sense of humour

Role Key Performance Indicators:

· Design and deliver repeatable, best in class, cloud solutions.

· Pro-actively monitor service quality and take action to scale operational services, in line with business growth.

· Generate operating efficiencies, to be agreed with Infrastructure Services Manager.

· Establish a “best in sector” level of operational service delivery and insight.

· Help create an effective team.