At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a global team of engineers to enhance our multi-cloud platforms and drive automation.
- Company: Waystone, a top asset-servicing solutions provider with 25 years of experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to innovate in a regulated environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor and develop talent while managing cutting-edge technology.
- Why this job: Shape the future of platform engineering using AI and automation in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading cloud engineering teams and strong DevOps skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About Waystone
Waystone is a leading asset‑servicing solutions provider of institutional governance, administration, risk and compliance services to financial institutions. With over 25 years’ experience and a comprehensive range of specialist services to its name, Waystone helps our clients structure, operate and grow through our expertise, innovation and digitisation, backed by the operational scale to support global expansion.
Job Summary
We are looking for an experienced, hands‑on, proactive Platform Engineering Manager to lead our Platform Engineering team. Sitting within the wider IT Platforms department, the role manages a team of 9 engineers based in the UK, Ireland and Mumbai and is accountable for the day‑to‑day running and improvement of our IT platforms across Azure, AWS, OCI and on‑premises infrastructure supporting 25 offices globally. Waystone is a regulated financial services business, so the role needs someone who can move at pace but with the care needed to meet our regulatory obligations. We’re looking for a manager who is automation‑first, lives and breathes innovation, and has used AI tooling to make operations faster and more reliable.
Key Responsibilities
- Team Leadership: Lead and develop a team of 9 platform engineers across the UK, Ireland and Mumbai. Run one‑to‑ones, set objectives, manage performance and grow the team’s capability.
- On‑Call & Coverage: Own the team’s on‑call rota to provide reliable 24x7 support across regions.
- Cloud & Platform Engineering: Run and improve our multi‑cloud estate (Azure, AWS, OCI) and the on‑premises infrastructure that supports our 25 office locations.
- Automation First: Make Infrastructure as Code (Terraform), configuration management (Ansible) and CI/CD the default way the team delivers change.
- AI for Operations: Use AI tooling to speed up day‑to‑day work – scripting, IaC generation, incident triage, runbook automation and knowledge management.
- Backups & Restoration Testing: Own the backup strategy and run regular restoration testing to prove we can recover within agreed RPO/RTO targets.
- DR & Resilience Testing: Contribute to planning and running of regular DR and resilience tests across critical platforms, document the outcomes and close out findings.
- Monitoring & Alerting: Own the monitoring and alerting stack. Make sure alerts are meaningful, owned and actionable, and that incidents are managed properly through to resolution.
- Modern Platform Engineering: Build self‑service tooling and reusable platform services so that development and delivery teams can move quickly without cutting corners.
- Governance & Risk: Work within Waystone’s control framework. Make sure changes are risk assessed, peer reviewed and auditable, and partner with InfoSec, Risk and Compliance on audits and findings.
- Cost Management: Track cloud spend across Azure, AWS and OCI, identify savings and keep consumption under control.
- Documentation: Keep runbooks, SOPs and architecture documentation accurate and easy to find.
- Mentorship: Be a strong mentor to the team – hands‑on enough to help with technical problems and coach engineers in their development.
Qualifications
- Proven experience leading a platform or cloud engineering team, ideally one that is geographically distributed.
- Strong hands‑on background with Azure and AWS in production.
- Solid DevOps experience: Terraform, Ansible, Git, CI/CD pipelines.
- Practical experience using AI tooling to improve operational work.
- Good experience across the operational lifecycle: backups and restore testing, DR and resilience testing, monitoring and alerting, incident and problem management, and on‑call.
- Experience working in a regulated environment, preferably financial services, with mature change, audit and risk processes.
- A proactive and innovative leader who brings ideas and proposals.
- Clear communicator with engineers, senior stakeholders and auditors.
Preferred Skills
- Cloud certifications in Azure, AWS or OCI.
- Experience managing teams across multiple time zones.
- Background running platform engineering practices such as golden paths, paved roads and self‑service tooling.
Why Join Us?
This is a chance to lead a global platform team in a fast‑moving, regulated business and to shape how we use automation and AI to run our infrastructure. If you enjoy building strong teams, raising the engineering bar and turning ideas into improvements that customers feel, we would like to hear from you.
Lead Platform Engineer in Leeds employer: Waystone
Waystone is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and automation are at the forefront of our operations. With a strong focus on employee development, we provide opportunities for growth within a collaborative team that spans across the UK, Ireland, and Mumbai. Our commitment to a supportive culture, combined with the chance to lead cutting-edge projects in a regulated financial services setting, makes Waystone an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Platform Engineer in Leeds
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Waystone. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Platform Engineer in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Waystone.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Waystone's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Waystone
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Waystone.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Waystone will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Waystone employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
