Cloud Infrastructure Architect

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.

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 
   

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