At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead AWS cloud operations and drive continuous improvement for high-quality IT services.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on innovation and positive change.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in cloud operations while contributing to sustainability.
- Qualifications: Strong AWS expertise and experience in managing cloud operations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced Cloud Operations Owner (AWS) to lead the operation and continuous improvement of our AWS cloud services across DS Smith. This is a critical role within our IT&T function, responsible for ensuring high-quality, secure, and efficient cloud operations through close collaboration with strategic partners and internal stakeholders. You will act as the primary point of contact for AWS operations, overseeing service performance, driving operational excellence, and ensuring alignment with business priorities.
You will play a key role in managing service delivery, improving cloud performance, and ensuring strong governance frameworks are in place, while contributing to the organisation's broader digital transformation agenda.
Key responsibilities include:- Acting as the subject matter expert and escalation point for AWS operations
- Owning major incidents and driving resolution through internal teams and partners
- Ensuring adherence to SLAs, KPIs, governance standards, and operational metrics
- Driving continuous service improvement initiatives with partners and internal teams
- Leading service reviews and maintaining robust operational reporting
- Governing change, release, and incident management processes to minimise disruption
- Conducting root cause analysis and implementing preventative improvements
- Overseeing AWS infrastructure operations across compute, storage, networking, and security
- Ensuring compliance with security, audit, and regulatory requirements
- Ensuring operational readiness for new services
- Embedding best practice standards and consistent ways of working across IT&T
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams including Cloud, DevOps, Security, and Engineering
- Building strong relationships with stakeholders across business and technology functions
You are a highly capable cloud operations leader with strong AWS expertise and a passion for delivering high-quality IT services in complex, enterprise environments.
We are looking for:- Proven experience managing AWS cloud operations or managed services environments
- Strong knowledge of AWS services (e.g. EC2, S3, RDS, VPC, IAM, CloudWatch)
- Experience working with ITIL-based service management (incident, problem, change)
- A track record of managing vendors and strategic technology partners
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
- Ability to lead incident resolution and drive service improvements under pressure
- Experience working in matrixed, cross-functional organisations
- Familiarity with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure automation
- Understanding of cloud security, compliance, and cost optimisation (FinOps)
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills
- Degree-level qualification (or equivalent experience); AWS certifications are advantageous
We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people who challenge and support one another to enact positive change.
We employ more than 60,000 colleagues across Europe, North America, and beyond, spanning innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability and more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive - one sustainable packaging solution at a time.
To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated and engaged workforce. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and able to succeed.
Cloud Operations Owner in City of London employer: DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. As a Cloud Operations Owner, you will benefit from our commitment to employee growth through continuous learning opportunities and a culture that values diversity and inclusion. Located in a forward-thinking organisation, you will play a pivotal role in driving our digital transformation agenda while enjoying the support of a global team dedicated to sustainable practices.
Contact Details:
DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cloud Operations Owner in City of London
✨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 DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED 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 DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED 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 DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED!
✨Direct Apply to DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED
Let's not forget to apply directly through the DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED 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 Cloud Operations Owner in City of London
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 DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED.
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 DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED. 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 DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED
✨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.
