At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a Cloud DevOps team to modernise Azure platforms and drive secure delivery.
- Company: Major UK critical-infrastructure organisation with a focus on digital transformation.
- Benefits: Fully remote work, competitive pay (~£600/day), and long-term contract visibility.
- Why this job: Shape the future of cloud engineering in a dynamic, Agile environment.
- Qualifications: Strong Azure and DevOps leadership experience, with hands-on technical skills.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence a nationally significant cloud platform.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
We’re supporting a major UK critical-infrastructure organisation on a significant cloud platform evolution, delivered through a leading global IT services partner. This programme sits at the heart of a long-term digital transformation focused on modern engineering, platform reliability, and secure cloud adoption at scale.
This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll shape engineering direction, influence stakeholders, and ensure the cloud platform remains secure, current, and built on best practice foundations.
The Role
You’ll lead a Cloud DevOps team that underpins a complex Azure platform used across multiple business areas. The focus is on enabling teams to modernise application portfolios, adopt DevOps practices, and deliver securely at pace. You’ll act as the bridge between engineering, architecture, and business stakeholders — managing priorities, shaping the backlog with Product Owners, and ensuring delivery aligns to a defined architectural runway and roadmap. Agile ways of working are central to this environment, and you’ll play a key role in embedding modern engineering practices across the organisation.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Providing technical leadership across the Azure cloud platform and DevOps practices
- Acting as a trusted advisor to stakeholders throughout the cloud lifecycle
- Partnering with Product Owners to manage demand planning and optimise backlog delivery
- Coaching and developing engineers while evangelising modern engineering standards
- Driving continuous improvement across engineering, delivery, and operational practices
- Ensuring platform currency, reliability, availability, and security
- Working closely with Architecture functions to align platform design with standards and best practice
- Supporting teams to adopt secure software lifecycle and DevOps patterns
- Playing a key role in protecting the organisation from cyber risk through adherence to standards
What They’re Looking For
This is a role for someone comfortable operating in complex, matrixed enterprise environments with strong Azure depth and real DevOps leadership experience.
Essential experience
- Strong background in Cloud / DevOps Engineering leadership
- Deep, hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure
- Proven experience working in Agile environments
- Strong experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform or ARM)
- Experience across the DevOps toolchain (e.g. GitHub, Jenkins, Argo)
- Exposure to configuration management (Ansible, Puppet, Chef)
- Scripting experience (Python, Go or similar)
- Containerisation and orchestration experience (Kubernetes, Docker, Podman)
- Solid OS fundamentals – performance, diagnostics, monitoring (CPU, memory, network, IO)
- Experience working with multiple stakeholder groups and managing technical priorities
- Ability to operate effectively within a matrix organisation
Desirable
- Experience in highly regulated or critical national infrastructure environments
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to align engineering with business value
Why This Role Is Interesting
- Influence the direction of a large-scale Azure platform used across a nationally significant organisation
- Blend hands-on cloud engineering with leadership and stakeholder influence
- Work in a genuinely Agile, engineering-led environment
- Fully remote contract with long-term programme visibility
- Opportunity to shape DevOps maturity at enterprise scale
Contract Details
- Fully Remote (UK based)
- Initial 6-month contract
- Inside IR35
- Circa £600 per day
Lead Cloud Engineer employer: Xcede Recruitment Solutions
Contact Detail:
Xcede Recruitment Solutions Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Cloud Engineer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend virtual meetups, and engage with relevant online communities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository showcasing your Azure projects and DevOps practices. This gives potential employers a tangible look at what you can do and sets you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common technical questions related to Azure and DevOps. Practice explaining your past experiences and how they align with the role. Confidence is key, so rehearse until you feel ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Cloud Engineer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Lead Cloud Engineer role. Highlight your Azure experience and DevOps leadership skills, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects that showcase your ability to manage complex environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your hands-on experience with Azure and how you've influenced stakeholders in previous positions. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to list your technical skills clearly. Mention your experience with Infrastructure as Code, scripting languages, and any tools from the DevOps toolchain. This will help us see your fit for the role at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get the best chance to showcase your skills. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Xcede Recruitment Solutions
✨Know Your Azure Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Azure knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss specific Azure services, your hands-on experience, and how you've applied them in previous roles. This will show that you're not just familiar with the platform but can also lead a team effectively.
✨Showcase Your DevOps Leadership
Prepare examples of how you've led DevOps teams in the past. Highlight your experience with Agile methodologies and how you've influenced stakeholders. Being able to articulate your leadership style and how it aligns with modern engineering practices will set you apart.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. Think about challenges you've faced in cloud environments and how you overcame them. This will showcase your critical thinking and technical expertise.
✨Align Engineering with Business Goals
Be prepared to discuss how you've aligned engineering efforts with business value in previous roles. Understanding the bigger picture and being able to communicate this effectively will resonate well with the interviewers, especially in a matrixed organisation.