Core Platform Technical Manager

We’re 1st Central, a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. And that’s the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty mega too!

We\’re looking for a Core Platform Technical Manager who will take a leadership role in the design, implementation, and optimisation of enterprise-level platforms, with a specific focus on managing the core Azure cloud infrastructure, data platforms, and business automation solutions. This role requires expertise in solution and infrastructure design, with a focus on building scalable, secure, and high-performing platforms that align with business goals. You’ll oversee the end-to-end management of cloud platforms, including collaboration with third-party providers who manage the Azure estate and internal engineering teams and will also manage the business automation and RPA (Robotic Automation) strategy, ensuring the seamless integration of these capabilities into the overall platform strategy.

You’ll be responsible for defining and applying best practices for platform architecture, working closely with the Cloud & Shared Platforms Architect to ensure alignment with the overall Cloud Platform strategy. It involves collaboration with cross-functional teams—including business, engineering, and security—to ensure solutions meet business needs, support digital transformation, and enable future growth. Responsibilities also include managing Technical Engineers, Data Platform Engineering (DPE), overseeing the cloud estate, and ensuring effective workload delivery through value streams and the Change Delivery Framework (CDF).

We value flexible working arrangements, so you can choose to work remotely or maybe you live within a commutable distance from one of our offices in Salford Quays, Manchester, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, or Guernsey, and want to work in the office occasionally.

Core skills were looking for to succeed in the role:

• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Good time management and organisation skills
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and influence stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with a focus on delivering innovative solutions.
• Ability to develop and present strategic roadmaps and solution designs to senior leadership.
• Strong understanding of security, compliance, and governance in cloud environments.
• Strong experience in Azure platform architecture, including Azure services such as Azure Active Directory, Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and Azure Storage.
• Proficiency in Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using tools such as Terraform, or ARM templates.
• Deep knowledge of automation and orchestration tools, including Azure Automation, Power Automate, and other RPA solutions.
• Experience designing and managing cloud-based data platforms and databases (SQL, NoSQL, etc.).
• Strong background in cloud security, governance, and compliance frameworks (e.g., Azure Security Center, Azure Policy, RBAC).
• Knowledge of monitoring and logging solutions in Azure, such as Azure Monitor and Application Insights.

What’s involved

• You’ll lead the design and engineering of core platforms, with a focus on Azure cloud infrastructure, enterprise services, and automation solutions.
• You’ll ensure that platform solutions are scalable, secure, and align with business and technical requirements.
• You’ll design and implement infrastructure and application architectures using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles, leveraging tools such as Terraform, and ARM templates.
• You’ll develop solutions that facilitate modernisation and transformation of the enterprise infrastructure and services.
• You’ll oversee the design and deployment of highly available, fault-tolerant, and performant infrastructure in Azure, ensuring operational stability and reliability alignment to prescribed platform architecture.
• You’ll contribute to and enforce architecture standards, guidelines, and best practices to be followed by internal teams and third-party providers.
• You’ll lead and manage the design and implementation of data platforms (Databases), ensuring the effective management of databases and data storage solutions within the Azure ecosystem.
• You’ll work closely with database administrators (DBAs) to manage cloud-based data solutions, optimising data flow, performance, and security.
• You’ll oversee the migration and modernisation of legacy data platforms into cloud-native architectures, ensuring business continuity and alignment with enterprise goals.
• You’ll manage and oversee third-party cloud platform providers who assist in managing the Azure estate, ensuring service levels are met and solutions align with business needs.
• You’ll ensure the effective integration of Azure services, such as Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB, and Data Lake, with other enterprise systems.
• You’ll manage the Data Platform Engineers, Data Technical Engineers, Automation and Robotic Automation (RPA) team, and Outsourced supplier contracts and strategy across the enterprise, driving improvements in operational efficiency and cost reduction.
• You’ll work with business leaders to identify opportunities for automation and develop architecture solutions that enable seamless integration of RPA and other automation tools.
• You’ll design and implement automation frameworks for cloud platforms and infrastructure, leveraging tools like Azure Automation, Power Automate, and other third-party automation solutions.
• You’ll ensure that automation initiatives align with the overall digital transformation strategy and are integrated into value streams across the organisation.
• You’ll collaborate with third-party cloud platform providers to manage the Azure estate, ensuring services are delivered on time, within scope, and with high-quality standards.
• You’ll coordinate with internal engineering teams to ensure the seamless integration of infrastructure, cloud, and application services across the organisation.
• You’ll work with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment between architecture solutions and business requirements, taking a proactive approach to identifying areas for improvement and optimization.
• You’ll establish strong working relationships with business units and change teams to ensure workload management is handled effectively within value streams and via the Continuous Delivery Framework (CDF).
• You’ll lead the efforts for major cloud transformation programs, ensuring they align with business priorities and technical requirements.
• You’ll ensure successful delivery of program and change work by applying agile methodologies and managing workload prioritization by value streams delivered by Core Platform.
• You’ll collaborate with change management teams to drive the adoption of new technologies and platforms across the enterprise.
• You’ll provide technical leadership and guidance to the change management team, ensuring smooth transitions and effective platform rollouts.
• You’ll oversee incident management processes, ensuring that platform incidents and service requests are resolved within SLAs.
• You’ll collaborate with internal engineering teams and third-party vendors to troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve issues impacting the core platform and services.
• You’ll provide technical expertise and support to both internal teams and end-users to ensure issues are addressed quickly and efficiently.
• You’ll partner with senior business leaders to define platform strategies that align with business objectives, ensuring that the digital transformation goals are met.
• You’ll serve as a subject matter expert on platform architecture and technology strategy, advising on best practices for solution design, implementation, and optimisation.
• You’ll lead technical discussions with stakeholders, providing guidance on cloud solutions, architecture, and automation strategies.
• You’ll champion the adoption of Azure technologies, cloud-native architectures, and automation within the organization, building consensus among stakeholders.
• You\’ll develop comprehensive solution designs that address business needs and ensure optimal performance, scalability, and security of cloud platforms.
• You’ll provide technical leadership for solution design and infrastructure architecture, ensuring alignment with enterprise IT strategies.
• You’ll integrate security best practices into the platform design, ensuring that cloud platforms and applications adhere to security and compliance standards.
• You’ll implement comprehensive monitoring and alerting solutions to ensure the health and performance of core platforms and services.
• You’ll drive continuous improvement of platform operations by identifying optimisation and cost-saving opportunities, ensuring the Azure estate is efficiently managed and delivered within budget.
• You\’ll comply with the requirements, and act in accordance with, the Group Code of Conduct and Fitness and Propriety policies at all times
• You’ll ensure compliance with Company Policies, Values and guidelines and other relevant standards/ regulations at all times.
• You’ll manage teams, perform 121s, mentoring and development
• You’ll be part of a 365/24/7 on-call to manage incidents, security alerts, and escalations as required.
• You’ll deputise for the Head of Core Platforms as required

Experience & knowledge

• Knowledge of FCA requirements (including individual responsibilities in relation to Consumer Duty)
• Significant experience in cloud platform engineering, solution architecture, or technical leadership roles.
• Proven experience designing and implementing large-scale cloud platforms and applications in Azure, including data platforms.
• Experience managing third-party cloud service providers and vendors, ensuring service delivery meets expectations.
• Strong track record in driving automation and RPA strategies in an enterprise environment.
• Experience working with value stream mapping, Change Delivery Framework (CDF), and agile methodologies.
• Ability to align technical architecture with business objectives and long-term cloud strategy.
• Ability to guide teams and influence decision-making at the executive level.
• Proven ability to work across business functions and communicate technical solutions effectively.
• Strong ability to analyze complex problems and develop innovative, scalable solutions.
• Expertise in managing organisational change, platform transformations, and new technology adoptions.
• Passion for building solutions that improve business outcomes and employee experience.

Skills

• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Good time management and organisation skills
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and influence stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills, with a focus on delivering innovative solutions.
• Ability to develop and present strategic roadmaps and solution designs to senior leadership.
• Strong understanding of security, compliance, and governance in cloud environments.
• Strong experience in Azure platform architecture, including Azure services such as Azure Active Directory, Azure SQL Database, Cosmos DB, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), and Azure Storage.
• Proficiency in Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using tools such as Terraform, or ARM templates.
• Deep knowledge of automation and orchestration tools, including Azure Automation, Power Automate, and other RPA solutions.
• Experience designing and managing cloud-based data platforms and databases (SQL, NoSQL, etc.).
• Strong background in cloud security, governance, and compliance frameworks (e.g., Azure Security Center, Azure Policy, RBAC).
• Knowledge of monitoring and logging solutions in Azure, such as Azure Monitor and Application Insights.

Qualifications

Maintain certifications and expertise in Azure technologies (Desirable), including but not limited to:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Azure DevOps Engineer Expert
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate (desirable)

• TOGAF 9 Certification (desirable)
• ITIL Foundation Certification (desirable)

Behaviours

• Self-motivated and enthusiastic
• An organised and proactive approach
• Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team
• A flexible approach and positive attitude
• Strives to drive business improvements to contribute to the success of the business
• Stay up to date with emerging technologies and trends in cloud architecture, automation, and platform management.

So, if you’re up for the challenge and would like to join our vibrant and busy team, we want to hear from you today.

What can we do for you?

People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and know the best people deserve an extraordinary working environment. We owe it to them so that’s what we offer. Our workplaces are energetic, inspirational, supportive. To get a taste of the advantages you’ll enjoy, take a look at all our perks in full here .

Intrigued? Our Talent team can tell you everything you need to know about what we want and what we’re offering, so feel free to get in touch.

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