Compute & Cloud Services Manager

Compute & Cloud Services Manager 

About Us
GKN Automotive is the market leader in conventional, all-wheel and electrified drive systems and solutions. With a comprehensive global footprint, we design, develop, manufacture and integrate an extensive range of driveline technologies for over 90% of the world’s car manufacturers. 

Role purpose
The role of the Compute Services & Cloud Manager is to take responsibility for day-to-day service operations of the Data Centers & Edge using best practices and standards. This role involves guiding the planning, design, and implementation of strategic initiatives to align data center capacity with current and future needs. The Compute Services & Cloud Manager provides technical leadership and expert advice on data center, cloud and edge operations development, ensuring robust and efficient performance, scalability, and security.

Key responsibilities
Strategic Planning and Development
Lead the planning, development, and enhancement of the Data Center and Cloud transformation in alignment with overall business planning.
Develop and execute a long-term Compute & Cloud strategy that supports organizational goals.

Security and Compliance
Take overall responsibility for the security of Data Center operations, ensuring appropriate controls and measures are implemented. Develop and maintain Disaster Recovery plans, ensuring consistency with the Corporate Business Continuity Plan.

Service Delivery Optimization
Ensure a proactive approach to service delivery, optimizing organizational methods. Oversee activities reports, including incidents, requests, and problem follow-up, escalation management, change management and monitoring and reporting of SLAs & KPIs.

Infrastructure and Architecture Development
Planning and ongoing development of technical architecture and infrastructure, applying lean approaches to drive efficiencies and reduce costs. Ensure operational procedures and working practices are current and fit for purpose. Maintain the configuration management system, documenting all hardware/software changes to ensure accurate configuration records.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement
Stay updated with the latest industry trends and technologies to continuously improve data center capabilities. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging innovation and adoption of best practices.

Team Management and Development
Manage and mentor a team of technical individuals, setting goals and objectives, and providing assistance and guidance. Oversee budget management for staffing, projects, and support contracts, ensuring monthly forecasts are completed in accordance with organizational procedures.

Stakeholder Collaboration
Collaborate with stakeholders to understand business needs and translate them into data center infrastructure plans. Ensure effective communication and alignment between the Compute Services & Cloud Management team and other business units.

Skills
Professional Experience
5 years of experience in IT Infrastructure and data center management.
Proven experience managing multi-cultural technical teams, both internal and external. 

Technical Expertise
Extensive experience in data center transformations, including on-premises, cloud, and edge computing environments. Deep understanding of IT infrastructure, operating systems, virtual systems, backup of IT applications and service processes used within the organization.

Configuration Management
Proficient in Configuration Management, ensuring precise control over IT assets and components by recording and maintaining information about configuration items, including hardware devices, computer programs, software licenses, documentation, and data center facilities.

Infrastructure Architecture
Understanding of Infrastructure Architecture, including frameworks and principles on which storage, systems, equipment, and resources are based, both on-premises and cloud-based.

Cloud and Virtualization
Proficient in the principles and application of cloud computing and virtualization, including ownership, responsibilities, and security implications.
Skilled in using tools and systems to manage and monitor virtualized environments effectively.
Risk Management and Contingency Planning
Proficient in methods and techniques for risk management, business impact analysis, countermeasures, and contingency arrangements related to serious disruptions of IT services.
Certifications and Additional Skills
ITIL Certification (highly desirable).
Experience with Azure (highly desirable).

Education
Master's Degree