Head of Cloud Infrastructure
| Posting date: | 18 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 18 May 2024 |
| Location: | Edinburgh, EH12 5HD |
| Company: | Reed Talent Solutions |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | RPO03246-294156 |
Summary
Permanent
Edinburgh/Hybrid
£61,626 - £72,684 per annum (Grade M1)
Everything we do at the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) aims to create the right environment for colleges and universities to thrive.
The Scottish Funding Council is Scotland’s tertiary education and research authority. Our ambition is to make Scotland an outstanding place to learn, educate, research, and innovate – now and for the future. So, naturally, we have a clear focus on recruiting the best people and developing them throughout their career. We invest around £2 billion every year, and our funding enables colleges and universities to provide life-changing opportunities for over half a million people.
We’re not only looking for the best people to come and work for us, but also people who will connect with our guiding principles which include working in partnership, championing diversity, and supporting sustainability for future generations.
By fostering our guiding principles, we are very proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. We are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds: we want our colleague base to reflect the people and communities that we serve.
Job Summary
Reporting to the Chief Information Officer, and supported by a small team, this post is responsible for the development, growth, management, and delivery of SFC’s Cloud infrastructure and associated projects. This is high profile work as part of SFC’s longer-term Digital Transformation that will turn SFC into a smarter and more secure organisation.
Key Responsibilities
• Define and implement the strategic vision and direction of the Azure Cloud Infrastructure in alignment with business objectives and IT standards.
• Lead, manage, and mentor a high-performing team of Cloud IT professionals, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and customer-centric service delivery.
• Develop and maintain an Azure Cloud Infrastructure roadmap, addressing both short-term operational needs and long-term strategic growth objectives.
• Ensure robustness, scalability, security, and compliance of the Azure Cloud Infrastructure, enforcing best practices and regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with various internal teams and external partners to build an integrated and optimized IT infrastructure.
• Direct the assessment and selection of Azure Cloud services and tools, conducting cost-benefit analyses and risk assessments to inform decision-making.
• Oversee the design and implementation of Azure Cloud migrations, ensuring minimal business impact and maximum value realisation.
• Manage the budget for Azure Cloud infrastructure, ensuring cost-efficiency and value for money.
• Facilitate regular knowledge sharing and training sessions for the team to stay up-to-date with the latest Azure Cloud advancements.
Person specification
It is important through your CV / Cover Letter that you give evidence of proven experience of each of the following essential criteria:
Essential Requirements:
• Proven experience in a similar senior role, managing and developing Azure Cloud Infrastructures.
• Extensive knowledge of Azure services, cloud computing technologies, business IT applications, security, network configurations, and system operations.
• Demonstrable experience in cybersecurity best practices and the integration of cybersecurity strategies into cloud operations to mitigate potential threats.
• Demonstrated leadership and team management abilities, including the capacity to lead high-performing, diverse teams through prior technical coaching/leadership roles.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent analytical, strategic conceptual thinking, strategic planning, and execution skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to liaise with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to analyse, understand and respond to complex issues demonstrating good judgement.
• Relevant certifications across major Cloud Providers, preferably Microsoft Azure.
• Degree level education (SCQF level 9) or equivalent experience
Desirable:
• Qualified in structured Project delivery methodologies (for example PRINCE II or Project Management Professional)
• Microsoft Expert Certifications, Solution Architect, Enterprise Administrator, Cyber Security Architect
Core Technical Knowledge
Essential:
• Solid background in on premises infrastructure, virtualisation technologies or applications.
• Solid background in the Microsoft 365 Suite, Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams
• Solid background in Microsoft Intune (Windows 10/11, Autopilot, Android/iOS, MAM/MDM)
• Proven experience in Azure Virtual Desktop deployment and management
• Proven experience in Azure Networking (Routing, DNS, Connectivity)
• Proven experience with Azure IaaS (networking, storage, virtual machines).
• Proven experience with Azure Backup & Recovery Services.
• Proven experience with Azure Governance (Blueprints, policies, tagging, cost management).
• Proven experience with Azure Active Directory including on premises Active Directory.
• Experience with Windows Server
• Experience with Azure Security (NSG, ASG Sentinel, Security Centre, Defender, ACL, Azure Firewall, Policy).
Additional information:
Location:
SFC offers hybrid working for its employees. This means that whilst the role is based at our Edinburgh office, there is substantial opportunity to work from home most of the time. As a rule of thumb SFC expects that a minimum of three days a month in the office (on average) will achieve the benefits of its hybrid approach, however it is for the employee and their line manager to agree the balance between home and workplace working - determined primarily by business need. Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.
Key Rewards and Benefits:
• Normal full-time hours of work are 35 per week. We will consider flexible working arrangements. A flexi-time system is in operation.
• Annual leave entitlement of 26.5 days pro-rata, rising to 30 days pro-rata after 4 years’ continuous service. Public and privilege holiday entitlement of 11.5 days pro-rata.
• A flexible approach to hybrid working, giving you flexibility to work from home for some of the time while also maintaining regular in-person contact with colleagues.
• Annual pay review: approved within the framework of the Scottish Government’s Public Sector Pay Policy and negotiated with our recognised trade union, Unite. Salaries are reviewed annually in April for employees who commence employment prior to 1 October in the preceding year.
• Eligibility to join the Civil Service Pension Scheme. With its low member contribution rates and generous employer contributions, this gives you a secure, inflation-proof pension for life with no investment uncertainty. Details of contribution rates together with further details of the pension benefits are available on the Civil Service Pensions website. There is also the option of a Partnership pension account.
• Support for continuous professional development.
• Support for health and wellbeing, including generous occupational sick pay, free access to confidential advice and support through our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme, Special Leave (paid and unpaid), a contribution to learning outside work through our Lifelong Learning Fund, free winter flu vaccination, and access to occupational health support.
• Support for travel to and from work, including a salary sacrifice cycle loan scheme, cycle storage and shower facilities, an interest-free loan for bus or rail season tickets and free office car parking for employees on a first-come basis.
The Selection Process:
How to Apply:
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter. The selection panel will use this evidence to assess your application against the selection criteria in the Person Specification section above. It is not mandatory to provide a cover letter but it can be beneficial to provide further evidence of your suitability against the essential skills. In your CV please also set out your educational and professional qualifications, and career history, with key responsibilities, dates and achievements. Please provide reasons for any gaps.
Expected Timeline:
Your application will be reviewed by a Reed Recruitment Specialist who may invite you to an initial telephone screening call. The call will last up to 30 minutes, giving you an opportunity to discuss your relevant experience, the role and The Scottish Funding Council in more detail.
Should you application be progressed, the selection panel will assess your application by considering the evidence you have provided in your CV / Cover Letter. Please ensure your application demonstrates how you meet the criteria in the Person Specification for the role. The selection panel will then select the shortlist of candidates to take forward to interview stage.
Pre-Employment Checks:
As part of our pre-employment process, we will ask you to provide relevant documentation to show that you are eligible to work in the UK and a Basic Disclosure Scotland certificate. You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this role; we do not offer sponsorships. We also take up references as part of this process. Expenses will be reimbursed for Basic Disclosure check. This will only be requested if you are appointed into the role.
Disability Confident:
If you need any adjustments to support your application, such as information in alternative formats, please contact us and we’ll do everything we can to help. If you’re eligible under the Disability Confident Scheme please give details when prompted at the appropriate stage in the online application process.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme