Senior Infrastructure Engineer (Cloud & Network) | London | Odgers Executive Search

About the role

• Senior Infrastructure Engineer (Cloud & Network) | London | Odgers Executive Search
• Title
• Senior Infrastructure Engineer (Cloud & Network)
• Practice / Team
• Technology – Infrastructure & Service Operations
• Reports to
• Kieran Thorpe, Head of Technology
• Location
• London (Hybrid)
• Direct reports
• None
• Stakeholders

Service Desk, ITSM & Transition Lead, Microsoft / Security SME, Operations, Data/AI, regional IT teams, key vendors

Purpose

The Senior Infrastructure Engineer (Cloud & Network) provides experienced hands-on technical capability across the core Technology estate, with responsibility spanning infrastructure, cloud operations and network.

The role exists to broaden the team’s technical depth across infrastructure, cloud and networking, and to strengthen 3rd line operational capability in a more service-led environment.

Working alongside the Head of Technology, Microsoft / Security SME and Service Desk leadership, the role supports the move toward a more cloud-first, supportable and globally aligned technology model, while maintaining the current hybrid and network estate safely and effectively.

• Outcomes
• 3rd line capability across Azure, on-premise / Hybrid infrastructure and networking, reducing reliance on single individuals.
• Infrastructure incidents, problems and changes are handled in a structured way, with strong alignment to ITIL-based service management.
• Core networking and firewall platforms are robust, stable, secure and supportable while the wider estate moves toward a cloud-first model.
• Infrastructure work is documented, easier to support and less dependent on informal knowledge.
• Operational ownership of selected vendors and service providers is taken on within the team, reducing management overhead.
• The Service Desk is supported with technical escalation, knowledge transfer and clearer hand-offs into 3rd line.
• Legacy and on-premise dependencies are progressively reduced in line with the Technology roadmap.
• The infrastructure and network estate leverages automation and scripting to ensure deployments and configuration is repeatable, auditable and managed.
• Competencies
• Broad technical judgement – applies strong practical understanding across infrastructure, cloud and networking to solve problems and implement change.
• Service-led delivery – works in a way that supports stable live services, not just one-off technical fixes.
• Pragmatic change discipline – understands how to operate in controlled environments and apply structured change management in practice.
• Ownership and follow-through responsibility for technical issues, changes and vendor actions through to completion.
• Stakeholder and vendor engagement – work effectively with internal teams and suppliers to keep services moving.
• Knowledge sharing – improves team capability by documenting clearly and supporting others to develop.
• Knowledge
• Strong understanding and practical experience of enterprise infrastructure across cloud, hybrid and network environments including scripting and automation.
• Practical knowledge of modern Microsoft cloud, endpoint and identity platforms, including Azure, Intune / Autopilot and Microsoft 365.
• Strong working knowledge of enterprise networking, firewalls, switching, routing, VPNs and related connectivity services.
• Good practical understanding of ITIL-based live service environments, particularly Incident, Change and Problem Management in operation.
• Awareness of endpoint, identity and infrastructure security controls, and how these are applied operationally.
• Understanding of vendor-delivered services, support models and operational contract management.
• Knowledge of monitoring, alerting and operational supportability concepts.

Skills

• 3rd line troubleshooting across infrastructure, cloud connectivity, identity, endpoint and networking-related issues.
• Supporting and maintaining core enterprise Infrastructure, networking platforms.
• Supporting and implementing infrastructure services across Azure and hybrid environments, including dependencies between cloud, identity, network and endpoint platforms.
• Creation of automated script-based deployments of infrastructure, network and configuration changes.
• Supporting cloud and hybrid infrastructure change, including migrations, simplification and service improvements.
• Working within structured service desk / ITSM environments such as Service Now or Freshservice.
• Applying Change and Problem Management in live service environments, not just theoretical ITIL awareness.
• Creating and maintaining technical documentation, diagrams, runbooks and operational handover material.
• Taking operational ownership of selected vendors: incidents, escalations, service reviews, quotations, renewals and follow-up actions.
• Supporting and mentoring L1/L2 colleagues through escalation handling and knowledge sharing.
• Behaviours
• Pragmatic - focuses on workable, supportable solutions rather than over-engineering.
• Structured - works in a disciplined way, especially in live environments and during change.
• Collaborative - works closely with Service Desk, SMEs, vendors and regional teams without creating silos.
• Calm under pressure - handles incidents, outages and urgent change in a measured way.
• Accountable - owns outcomes and follows work through to completion.
• Curious - brings broad technical interest and a willingness to understand how services fit together end-to-end.
• Accountability and Responsibility
• Accountable for stable operational support of core infrastructure, cloud and network services within the Technology estate.
• Acts as a senior technical escalation point for 3rd line infrastructure, cloud and networking issues.
• Supports and maintains core infrastructure networking and firewall platforms, including day-to-day changes, troubleshooting and operational improvements.
• Works alongside the Microsoft / Security SME to implement infrastructure and control changes that support the target tenant, cloud, identity and endpoint model.
• Delivers infrastructure changes in line with agreed Change Management processes and operational standards.
• Contributes to Problem Management by identifying recurring issues, supporting root cause analysis and helping implement durable fixes.
• Maintains clear technical documentation, diagrams, operational procedures and service handover materials.
• Owns operational relationships for selected vendors and service providers, escalating strategic/commercial decisions where appropriate.
• Supports the Service Desk with escalation handling, knowledge transfer and improved supportability of infrastructure services.
• Contributes to the retirement of legacy / on-premise services and the transition toward a more cloud-first operating model.
• Works with regional IT colleagues to align infrastructure practices and support shared standards where appropriate.
• SFIA Skills Mapping
• SFIA Skill Code
• Skill Name
• Description
• Suggested Level
• ITOP
• Infrastructure operations

Leads the operation and improvement of core infrastructure services across cloud infra and hybrid infra, providing senior hands-on capability and technical judgement across the estate.

• Level 5
• NTAS
• Network support

Maintains and troubleshoots enterprise networking and firewall platforms in live service.

• Level 4
• CHMG
• Change control

Applies Change Management in practice, ensuring infrastructure change is assessed, documented, scheduled and delivered in a controlled way.

• Level 4
• PBMG
• Problem management

Identifies recurring issues, contributes to root cause analysis and helps implement durable fixes that improve service stability and reduce repeat incidents..

• Level 4
• SUPM
• Supplier management

Takes operational ownership of selected vendors and service providers, managing incidents, escalations, service actions and follow-through to completion.

• Level 4
• CFMG
• Configuration management

Defines and applies configuration practices for supported infrastructure services, ensuring accurate technical documentation, dependency awareness and supportable service knowledge across the estate.

• Level 5
• METL
• Methods and tools

Shapes and advises on the effective use of service and operational tooling across infrastructure operations, including ITSM / service desk, monitoring and support platforms.

• Level 5
• RLMT
• Stakeholder relationship management

Builds effective working relationships with Service Desk, SMEs, regional IT and vendors to keep services moving, resolve issues quickly and maintain alignment..

• Level 4
• The Internal Process
• Have a confidential conversation with the James Fullarton and Sam Boon to learn more
• If you wish to apply formally, inform James Fullarton first
• Submit your application
• Interview process
• Decision

All internal processes will remain confidential.

About you