IT Lead - Cloud expert

About This Role

As part of the IT Infrastructure & Cloud team, the IT Lead – Cloud Expert will play a critical role in driving our cloud strategy, optimizing our Azure footprint, and ensuring stable, secure, and cost-efficient cloud operations across all regions, including on-ground collaboration with country IT teams. This role supports both day-to-day operational stability and long-term modernization initiatives, ensuring our cloud and hybrid environments are aligned with business requirements, especially high-availability workloads and real-time platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Cloud Architecture & Engineering

• Design and enhance the Azure landing zones used across the business.
• Implement cloud architectures that align with infrastructure standards, security policies, and operational practices used by the team.
• Modernize existing infrastructure by consolidating VMs, shifting workloads to PaaS, and improving performance.
• Lead the setup, governance, and support of Microsoft Fabric in collaboration with analytics and platform teams.
• Support early-stage adoption and enablement of Azure AI Foundry to build and deploy AI-driven solutions where relevant.

Cloud Operations, Optimization & Cost Management

• Act as the point of expertise for Azure operations within the infrastructure team.
• Manage and optimize Azure costs, including budgeting, forecasting, tagging, and alert configuration.
• Drive VM consolidation initiatives across environments to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
• Monitor health, capacity, and performance of cloud workloads to ensure business continuity and operational resilience.
• Support the team during incident management, major outages, and escalations involving cloud components.

Governance, Security & Compliance

• Work closely with Information Security to apply cloud security standards across regions.
• Work closely with application and network teams to ensure aligned delivery and smooth project execution.
• Conduct regular assessments of cloud posture, identity configurations (Entra ID), and RBAC structure.
• Apply proven best practices learned from previous engagements and ensure consistency across environments.
• Support audit, compliance, and policy enforcement efforts related to cloud and hybrid infrastructure.

Integration & API Ecosystem Management

• Support the enablement of secure and scalable API connectivity with internal systems and third-party partners.
• Ensure the API ecosystem integrates smoothly with existing infrastructure and follows governance controls.
• Collaborate with application teams on API-centric initiatives requiring infrastructure or cloud support.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Manage Azure and cloud vendor relationships, including CSP partners.
• Participate in reviewing and evaluating new cloud tools, platforms, and services, including AI and analytics capabilities.
• Provide informed cloud insights to business stakeholders around scalability, cost, and operational readiness.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or similar field.
• 6–10+ years of experience in infrastructure with 4+ years specifically in cloud engineering/architecture.
• Strong hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure , including cost management, governance, and VM optimization.
• Experience with Microsoft Fabric setup and administration.
• Understanding of Azure AI Foundry and how to support building and deploying AI-driven solutions.
• Deep understanding of hybrid environments, identity management, and network integrations.
• Practical experience supporting country IT and distributed environments.
• Knowledge of API lifecycle, secure integrations, and platform connectivity.
• Azure certifications preferred.

Key Skills

• Excellent troubleshooting skills across cloud, network, and hybrid layers.
• Strong cost awareness and ability to optimize cloud spend without affecting performance.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with applications, security, and regional IT teams.
• Proactive, structured, and able to operate effectively in a high-demand environment.