Lead Cloud Engineer (Azure) in Cardiff

Company Description

Legal & General (L&G) is a leading UK financial services group and major global investor. We’ve been safeguarding people’s financial futures since 1836, and strive to build a better society, while improving the lives of our customers and creating value for shareholders. We are one of the world’s largest asset managers and provide powerful asset origination capabilities. Together, these underpin our retirement and protection solutions: we are an international player in pension risk transfer, in UK and US life insurance, and in UK workplace pensions and retirement income.

Who we are

Our Retail business supports customers throughout their lives, to help them save, plan, protect and enjoy retirement. We’re a leading provider of retirement and protection solutions. We aim to support our c.12.8 million policyholders and workplace members throughout their lifelong financial journeys. We focus on helping the customers of today and tomorrow achieve better long-term outcomes. We either talk with them directly or work with intermediaries and employers to meet their needs. We use the latest technology to connect with them quickly, efficiently and wherever possible in highly personalised ways.

Job Description

We are seeking a Lead Cloud Engineer to play a pivotal role in shaping and advancing a world-class cloud capability within Legal & General’s Retail Data and Analytics function. This position sits at the heart of the Retail division’s ambition to deliver modern, scalable data solutions, enabling advanced reporting, analytics, and data science across its cloud data platform. As a key member of the team, you will drive the evolution of cloud based data engineering, supporting the organisation’s journey towards a more data driven and insight led future.

In this role, you will lead the delivery of core Azure capabilities that underpin our enterprise data platform, acting as a trusted technical authority within a highly regulated environment. You will design and implement secure, resilient, and scalable cloud solutions, while collaborating closely with architects, security specialists, and engineering leaders to define cloud standards and best practices. Alongside mentoring and developing team members, you will champion cross functional collaboration, leveraging modern development tools, AI capabilities, and APIs to drive automation, streamline processes, and integrate core platform capabilities, ultimately enabling operational excellence and simplification across the data landscape.

What you'll be doing:

• Leading the implementation and optimisation of Azure data platform capabilities, including Azure Data Factory and Synapse
• Defining and embedding Infrastructure as Code best practices using Terraform or Bicep to enable consistent and controlled deployments
• Driving the adoption of containerisation and orchestration through Azure Kubernetes Service to support scalable and resilient workloads
• Establishing robust monitoring and observability frameworks using Azure Monitor, Application Insights, and centralised logging solutions
• Managing and optimising cloud expenditure through Azure Cost Management and FinOps principles to maximise value
• Mentoring and developing cloud engineering talent, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and delivery excellence
• Evaluating emerging Azure technologies, leading proofs of concept, and providing strategic recommendations to maintain technical leadership
• Acting as a subject matter expert for the DataOps platform, supporting the use of behavioural and customer insights to enhance customer journeys and measure the impact of improvements

Who we're looking for:

• Holding a degree-level education, with a technology-related discipline preferred
• Demonstrating relevant cloud certifications or equivalent hands-on experience at a senior level
• Bringing strong expertise in Azure networking and hybrid connectivity, including ExpressRoute, VPN Gateway, and Private Endpoints
• Proven track record in deploying, managing, and scaling Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) in production environments
• Possessing deep knowledge of Azure identity, access management, and security best practices
• Demonstrating proficiency in at least one programming language such as Python, alongside a working knowledge of SQL
• Applying experience in infrastructure-as-code, particularly Terraform using CAF modules, to design and manage scalable cloud environments
• Showcasing experience with modern AI and automation tooling, including GenAI frameworks, orchestration platforms, and DevOps capabilities, while effectively communicating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Whatever your role, we reward performance and behaviour with a package that looks after all the things that are important to you. Here are some of the benefits we offer:

• The opportunity to participate in our annual, performance-related bonus plan and valuable share schemes
• Generous pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Healthcare Plan (permanent employees only)
• At least 25 days holiday, plus public holidays, 26 days after 2 years’ service. There’s also the option to buy and sell holiday
• Competitive family leave
• Participate in our electric car scheme, which offers employees the option to hire a brand-new electric car through tax efficient salary sacrifice (permanent employees only)
• There are many discounts we offer – both for our own products and at a range of high street stores and online
• We’re creating net-zero carbon workplaces by 2030 by investing in our sustainable, modern offices across the UK, all designed to bring people together and elevate the in-person experience

Additional Information

At L&G, we believe it's possible to generate positive returns today while helping to build a better future for all. If you join us, you’ll be part of a welcoming, inclusive culture, with opportunities to collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds, views, and experiences. Guided by leaders with integrity who care about your future and wellbeing. Empowered through initiatives which support people to develop their careers and excel.

We care passionately about outcomes rather than attendance and are therefore open to discussing all kinds of flexible working options including part-time, term-time and job shares. Although some roles have limited flexibility due to customer demand, we accommodate requests when we can. It doesn’t matter if you don’t meet every single criterion in this advert. Instead, think about what you excel at and what else you can bring in terms of strengths, potential and connection to our purpose.