Head of Cloud FinOps at Network Rail, Milton Keynes, 6 Months, £Contract Rate

Job Purpose

Lead the optimisation of cloud services across Network Rail by driving efficiency, rightsizing, and effective use of cloud resources. Configure and govern cloud environments for performance, scalability, and cost-effectiveness through proactive monitoring, governance, and automation. Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to embed FinOps practices that improve resource utilisation, reduce waste, and maximise business value from cloud platforms.

Key Accountabilities

• Drive technical cloud optimisation across multi-cloud environments (Azure, AWS, GCP) by applying rightsizing, scaling, and workload efficiency practices to maximise performance and reduce waste.
• Define and apply cloud configuration standards across teams and platforms to achieve optimal utilisation, compliance, and performance.
• Use cloud-native and third-party cost/usage management tools to monitor workloads, identify inefficiencies, and recommend corrective actions to deliver measurable efficiency gains.
• Establish and embed FinOps engineering practices, including automation for cost monitoring, anomaly detection, and resource optimisation, to improve accuracy, consistency, and scalability of cloud operations.
• Collaborate with Cloud Architecture, Engineering, and Operations teams to design solutions that balance resilience, performance, and cost efficiency for business-critical services.
• Lead cloud efficiency reviews by analysing workload patterns and resource utilisation to identify optimisation opportunities and recommend technical improvements.
• Promote a culture of cloud accountability and transparency by educating teams on configuration best practices and performance benchmarking to improve awareness and long-term adoption of optimisation practices.
• Deliver technical reports and dashboards on cloud usage efficiency, rightsizing progress, and optimisation initiatives to support informed decision-making by stakeholders.
• Track industry best practices, emerging optimisation services, and new tools to enhance Network Rail's Cloud FinOps capability and maintain leading-edge efficiency.
• Define KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and metrics for technical optimisation (e.g., idle resource reduction, cost-to-performance ratios, rightsizing success rates) to measure effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.

Essential

• Strong technical expertise in multi-cloud environments (Azure, AWS, GCP) with in-depth knowledge of cost optimisation and configuration tools.
• Proven experience in cloud rightsizing, workload efficiency analysis, and optimisation engineering.
• Hands-on proficiency with cloud monitoring and optimisation platforms (e.g., Azure Cost Management, AWS Cost Explorer, CloudHealth, Cloudability).
• Experience in building automation pipelines (e.g., with Terraform, Python, PowerShell, or native cloud automation tools) to enforce optimisation and configuration policies.
• Strong understanding of cloud architecture, scaling strategies, and workload placement for performance and cost balance.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate usage data into actionable optimisation strategies.
• Effective collaboration and communication skills to work across IT, operations, and business teams.

Desirable

• Cloud certifications (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect, AWS Solutions Architect, FinOps Certified Practitioner) with specialisation in cost optimisation.
• Experience with FinOps frameworks and rightsizing methodologies in large enterprise environments.
• Familiarity with container and serverless optimisation (Kubernetes, ECS, Lambda, AKS).
• Knowledge of TBM (Technology Business Management) or ITFM frameworks, focused on linking technical optimisation to business value.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Network Rail is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. They welcome applications from everyone.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, Network Rail guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Covenant

Network Rail guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different.