IT Infrastructure Architect - contract in London

CLS helps clients navigate the changing FX marketplace – reducing risk and creating efficiencies. Our extensive network and deep market intelligence enable CLS specialists to lead the development of standardized solutions to real market problems. Our innovative, forward-looking products make the trading process faster, easier, safer and more cost-effective – empowering our clients’ success.

The CLS Architecture practice establishes and maintains the architectural framework to support the technology strategy within which IT solutions can be delivered. It is responsible for ensuring CLS continues to deliver reliable, resilient, cost-beneficial business service solutions through the formulation of the enterprise strategy and architecture framework for the CLS IT Systems, underpinned by the technical governance and compliance of IT Systems designs.

To act as an Infrastructure Architect on a variety of internal and external IT delivery projects, key responsibilities include:

• Produce high quality High Level Design documentation describing technical systems solutions, providing overall design direction and recommendations for resolution of complex technical issues.
• Provide technical leadership and direction to the IT engineering, delivery and test teams throughout implementation phases.
• Act as a liaison between Architecture and Engineering and direct the development of technical standards and platforms, quality and best practices.
• Support the Enterprise Architects in the development of infrastructure road maps to support the evolution of the technical and digital portfolios from current to future state.

This role will be aligned primarily against the Settlements business line which designs and delivers key mission critical systems for the organization and its customers. Integration and collaboration with non-settlements teams may also be required to drive and deliver standards and technology efficiencies.

Key knowledge, skills and experience required for the role:

• Solid understanding and design capability across multiple infrastructure domains such as networks, compute, storage, database, backups, virtualization, private cloud, data center, collaboration & end user.
• In-depth technical knowledge across several infrastructure disciplines, e.g. Microsoft Technologies, Red Hat/Linux, VMWare, ESX, vSphere, Citrix, IBM Websphere MQ, Oracle, DB2, LAN/WAN/MAN, Routing, Firewall, Wireless, IDS/IPS, WAN optimization, Proxy, VPN services, Load Balancing and IT Security.
• Experience or technical knowledge of toolsets and infrastructure management solutions.
• Experience designing, documenting, integrating and managing complex infrastructure solutions.

Additionally the successful candidate will demonstrate the following personal characteristics:

• Proactive self-starter able to learn quickly and work/deliver independently.
• Be able to multi-task as several projects and initiatives may be active at the same time.
• Possess strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Leadership, presentation and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work on complex projects with globally distributed teams and tight timelines.
• Ability to design high availability solutions, including consideration to fault tolerant analysis and resiliency.
• Ability to work with and manage vendors/suppliers such as IBM.
• Experience of producing designs within governance frameworks.
• Experience of infrastructure transformation programmes.

Qualifications / certifications:

• Bachelor and/or Master’s Degree in Business, Finance, Computer Science or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Relevant IT Architecture certification (TOGAF, CITA, RHCA etc.) or technical accreditations (VMWare, Cisco or Juniper) beneficial.