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 career development.
- 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 - 68231 £ 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
- Act as the subject matter expert and escalation point for AWS operations
- Own major incidents and drive resolution through internal teams and partners
- Ensure adherence to SLAs, KPIs, governance standards, and operational metrics
- Drive continuous service improvement initiatives with partners and internal teams
- Lead service reviews and maintain robust operational reporting
- Govern change, release, and incident management processes to minimise disruption
- Conduct root cause analysis and implement preventative improvements
- Oversee AWS infrastructure operations across compute, storage, networking, and security
- Ensure compliance with security, audit, and regulatory requirements
- Ensure operational readiness for new services
- Embed best practice standards and consistent ways of working across IT&T
- Collaborate with cross‑functional teams including Cloud, DevOps, Security, and Engineering
- Build strong relationships with stakeholders across business and technology functions
About you
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.
What we’re 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
About us
We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre‑based products. We employ more than 60,000 colleagues across Europe, North America and beyond, spanning innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability and more. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible through sustainable practices, and we are committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and able to succeed. Be part of a world‑leading organisation and do your best work with us.
Cloud Operations Owner in City of Westminster employer: DS Smith
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture 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 focus on sustainable practices. Join us in a role that not only drives operational excellence but also contributes to a meaningful digital transformation within a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Cloud Operations Owner in City of Westminster
✨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 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 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.
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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!
✨Direct Apply to DS Smith
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We think you need these skills to ace Cloud Operations Owner in City of Westminster
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.
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. 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
✨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.
