Cloud Infrastructure Architect

Company Description

IQEQ is a preeminent service provider to the alternative asset industry. IQEQ works with managers in multiple capacities ranging from hedge fund, private equity fund, and mutual fund launches; private equity fund administration; advisory firm set-up, regulatory registration and infrastructure design; ongoing regulatory compliance (SEC, CFTC, and 40 Act); financial controls and operational support services; compliance and operational related projects and reviews; and outsourced CFO/controller and administration services to private equity fund investments – portfolio companies, real estate assets and energy assets. Our client base is growing, and our existing clients are engaging the firm across the spectrum of our services offerings.

Job Description

Responsibilities  

• Provide project- specific architectural and comprehensive technology designs, solutions and implementation plans for key programmes
• Review and evaluate, cost and develop optimized infrastructure designs based on rigorous understanding of returned benefits and ROI/TCO which balance cost with resilience, DR and recoverability
• Aid the simplification of our complex on-premise IT infrastructure estate
• Evaluate entire projects from a technical stance, ensuring that the methods and technologies used are practical and fit for purpose
• Validate and challenge the detailed technical infrastructure architectures provided by the technology partners, fellow team members and vendors in support of a project or technical solution
• Evaluate the current technical infrastructure tools and solutions, making recommendations for improvement, capability uplift or risk mitigation.
• Work with partners and team members to enable transition of workloads from on premise data centre’s to Cloud environments
• Assist in transition of the developed solution to implementation with partnership from Service Operations 
• Act as final path of escalation within their area of expertise for any architecture under their development or control
• Investigate the viability of upcoming and emerging technologies to improve the infrastructure's stability, longevity, and adaptability
• Develop a technical architecture based on any R&D or existing knowledge that are dependable, scalable, and fit for purpose and can be transitioned to implementation 
• Assure any developed architectures fit appropriately within the overarching IQ-EQ IT Vision and Strategy across all regions
• Participate in architecture governance forums, architecture reviews and/or audits

Tasks 

• Collaborate with subject matter experts in Enterprise Technology, Service Management, Security, Technology Partners and project teams in Technology to provide infrastructure solution designs and supporting guidance
• Be the on-point contact for all queries relating to the Infrastructure Technical designs
• Highlight infrastructure project risks and work with internal teams and partners to mitigate
• Provide technical authority and governance across IQ-EQ
• Present at all levels (inc C-Level and to Regional Leads) to win over key stakeholders in respect of solutions/change required
• Clearly report progress against plans and escalate as needed

Key competencies for position and level 

• Customer Focus - Gaining insight into customer needs & identifying opportunities that benefit the customer.  Designing solutions that meet customer needs
• Communicates Effectively – Adjusting communication style to fit the audience & message.  Providing timely information to help others across the organisation.  Encourages the open expression of diverse ideas and opinions
• Action Orientated – Readily take action on challenges without unnecessary planning and identifies new opportunities, taking ownership of them
• Interpersonal Savy – Relating comfortably with people across all levels, functions, cultures & geographies. Builds rapport in an open, friendly & accepting way
• Commercial awareness – Knowledge of what is happening in the external market and how to make Technology a differentiator

Key behaviours we expect to see

• In addition to demonstrating our Group Values (Authentic, Bold, and Collaborative), the role holder will be expected to demonstrate the following:
• Facilitate open and frank debate to drive forward improvement
• Emotional and Cultural Awareness 
   

Qualifications

Required Experience 
Education / professional qualifications    

• Degree level education is preferred but equivalent professional experience in IT is acceptable.
• Experience across application delivery.

Background experience    

• Experience of working with hybrid cloud infrastructure environments and preferably knowledge on complex distributed data centre architectures and virtualization of networks

Technical      

• Practical knowledge of key technology infrastructures, AD, network, VPNs, monitoring solutions and security components
• Experience in Citrix deployments and optimal configuration

Management and leadership

• Able to present and communicate solutions clearly and concisely with technical and non-technical audiences from senior stakeholders to project teams, including external customers
• Excellent interpersonal skills including facilitation, negotiation, collaboration and influencing