At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and deployment of VMware Cloud Foundation solutions for enterprise clients.
- Company: Join AHEAD, a forward-thinking tech company focused on digital transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cloud technology while mentoring the next generation of tech talent.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in VMware tech, with strong architecture and deployment skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 140000 £ per year.
AHEAD builds platforms for digital business. By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation. At AHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard. We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and do not discriminate based on an individual's age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived. We embrace all candidates that will contribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas and perspectives at AHEAD.
You will leverage your expertise in VMware Cloud Foundation to architect, design, deploy, and optimize enterprise-scale hybrid cloud and data center solutions. You will lead clients through the development of complex and global VCF-based architectures that enhance operations, automation, security, and scalability. You will serve as a subject matter expert, guiding client and project teams, mentoring junior staff, and ensuring high-quality solution delivery. This role requires a deep technical understanding of VMware’s VCF Platform, integration with third-party solutions, and best practices for deployment and operations. A minimum of 10% travel is expected.
Responsibilities- Lead the architecture, design, and deployment of VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) solutions across all pillars of the VCF platform; vSAN, NSX, Operations, Automation, and VKS. (VCF v9.0+ experience required)
- Oversee architecture, deployment, and configuration of the VCF Fleet, vSphere, vCenter, vSAN, NSX, Operations (Network, Logs), Automation, and VKS within VCF environments.
- Work with customers to define business and technical requirements for VCF-based private and hybrid cloud solutions.
- Architecture, design, and implement global, multi-site, enterprise architectures, workload mobility, and disaster recovery strategies.
- Primary Architectural Lead for technical discussions, workshops, and knowledge transfer sessions for clients and internal teams.
- Integrate VCF with third-party platforms such as storage, networking, and security solutions.
- Develop and deliver technical documentation, design documents, and best practices for VCF deployments.
- Mentor junior technical consultants and provide guidance on troubleshooting and optimization.
- Participate in pre-sales engagements, helping scope and position VCF solutions for clients.
- Ensure adherence to industry standards, security policies, and compliance requirements.
- Minimum of 15 years of technical experience with VMware and supporting technologies.
- VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 Architect Certification (Exam 2V0-13.25 required).
- VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 Administrator Certification (Exam 2V0-17.25) highly desired.
- Specialty VCF VCAP-level certification highly desired, in either NSX, Operations, Automation, or VKS highly desired.
- Extensive architecture, design, and deployment expertise with VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 (VCF), including VCF Global Fleet, vSphere, NSX, vSAN, and Aria Suite.
- Strong experience with VCF lifecycle management, automation, and workload migration.
- Hands-on experience deploying, upgrading, and managing VCF on various hardware platforms and HCI solutions.
- Experience with Elastic VMware Services (EVS) on AWS or Azure VMware Solution (AVS) highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of software-defined networking (SDN), security policies, and enterprise storage.
- Experience integrating VCF with third-party tools such as backup, monitoring, and automation solutions.
- Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong written and verbal client-facing communication and presentation abilities.
- Industry certifications such as VCAP, VCDX, or equivalent VMware certifications are highly desirable.
- Willingness to travel at least 10% as needed.
- Recognized subject matter expert in VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0 (VCF).
- Contribute to the development of best practices, automation scripts, and deployment methodologies.
- Act as a trusted advisor to customers, helping define long-term private cloud strategies.
- Engage in presales activities, including scope definition, solution positioning, and proposal development.
- Identify and drive new business opportunities related to VMware Cloud solutions.
- Participate in industry conferences and contribute thought leadership in VCF and hybrid cloud.
- Provide guidance on strategic IT transformation initiatives, aligning VCF implementations with business goals.
- Lead complex workshops and client engagements, articulating the value of VCF and associated technologies.
The requirements set out below are representative of those that may be required to perform the essential duties of this role.
- Ability to safely and effectively perform the essential duties of the role whilst meeting established performance, quality and productivity standards.
- Ability to maintain a reliable level of attendance and fulfil contractual working arrangements. This may include travelling to and from Company offices, customer premises and other work locations where required for the role.
- Ability to undertake duties at customer sites, office locations or data centre environments, which may include: Standing, walking, bending, and lifting or moving equipment where this is an intrinsic requirement of the role.
- Working in environments with varying temperatures, including warm and cold conditions, both indoors and outdoors.
- Exposure to operational or production environments that may include elevated noise levels, bright lighting and varying airflow.
- Ability to use hands and fingers to handle, operate or manipulate equipment, tools and controls, and to reach with hands and arms as required to perform the duties of the role.
£100,000 - £140,000 a year. The compensation range indicated in this posting reflects the On-Target Earnings (“OTE”) for this role, which includes a base salary and any applicable target bonus amount. This OTE range may vary based on the candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, and geographic location.
Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between. We fuel growth by stacking our office with top-notch technologies in a multi-million-dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning.
Principal Technical Consultant – VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) employer: AHEAD
At AHEAD, we pride ourselves on fostering a culture of belonging and empowerment, where every voice is valued and respected. As a Principal Technical Consultant – VMware Cloud Foundation, you will not only lead innovative cloud solutions but also benefit from our commitment to employee growth through continuous learning opportunities, mentorship, and access to cutting-edge technologies. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, AHEAD offers a dynamic work environment that encourages collaboration and drives meaningful change in the digital landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Technical Consultant – VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what AHEAD values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges AHEAD might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at AHEAD!
✨Direct Apply to AHEAD
Let's not forget to apply directly through the AHEAD website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Technical Consultant – VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at AHEAD.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at AHEAD. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at AHEAD
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
