Head of Cloud Infrastructure

Deliver robust, scalable, and secure cloud infrastructure services for Network Rail by designing and implementing core cloud components, driving automation, and delivering operational excellence. Collaborate across architecture, cybersecurity, and delivery teams to maintain service availability, performance, and innovation while leading a team of specialists and engaging with external partners.

Responsibilties . Design and implement cloud infrastructure services including compute, storage, networking, and core operations to deliver scalable and resilient platforms. . Maintain cloud platforms for availability, resilience, and cost efficiency in alignment with enterprise architecture and cybersecurity policies to support reliable service delivery. . Optimise infrastructure performance across Microsoft Azure and hybrid environments through proactive monitoring, maintenance, and tuning to maximise operational efficiency. . Define service level agreements, incident response protocols, and operational support processes to deliver consistent and high-quality service outcomes. . Integrate cloud infrastructure with architecture, financial operations, delivery, and cybersecurity functions to enable seamless end-to-end service delivery. . Advance automation and infrastructure-as-code practices using tools such as Terraform, Azure Resource Manager/Bicep, and continuous integration/continuous deployment pipelines to improve deployment speed and consistency. . Develop the capability and performance of a team of cloud specialists to maintain effective delivery and continuous improvement. . Engage with vendors, service providers, and partners to secure innovative and high-quality infrastructure services for Network Rail. . Research emerging technologies and recommend enhancements to maintain a modern, efficient, and secure cloud infrastructure environment. . Standardise infrastructure practices and documentation to support operational consistency and knowledge sharing across teams.

Significant experience leading cloud infrastructure operations in enterprise environments. . Deep understanding of cloud infrastructure (networking, storage, compute) across Azure. . Experience with IaC tools, automation frameworks, and cloud-native operations. . Knowledge of monitoring tools, incident management, and operational KPIs. . Strong background in service management, resilience engineering, and performance tuning. . Excellent stakeholder and vendor management skills. . Experience building and leading high-performing technical teams. . Familiarity with IT governance, security, and compliance standards.

Desirable . Azure certifications (eg Solutions Architect, SysOps Administrator). . Experience with cloud hybrid connectivity, VPNs, and direct connections. . Familiarity with container platforms (eg Kubernetes, AKS, EKS). . Exposure to ITIL, DevOps, or SRE practices. . Experience integrating infrastructure with CI/CD delivery models.