Principal I, Cloud FinOps

Recruiter - Lorena Padilla

Position reports to: Dave Dammertz

Work schedule: Hybrid, going to the office in GDL for 3 days

Position Summary Statement:  

The Cloud FinOps Principal I is responsible for managing and optimizing cloud financial operations. This role involves collaborating with various teams to ensure cloud resources are efficiently utilized and cost-effective. The ideal candidate will have experience in cloud cost management, financial analysis, and a strong understanding of cloud platforms.

Detailed Responsibilities/Duties:

Level I
•    Monitor and analyze cloud costs and usage patterns
•    Develop and implement cost optimization strategies
•    Collaborate with engineering and finance teams to establish cost management best practices
•    Create and maintain cloud cost dashboards and reports
•    Provide recommendations for cost savings and resource optimization
•    Assist in budgeting and forecasting cloud expenditures
•    Ensure compliance with cloud financial policies and procedures

Level II 
•    In addition to L1 activities:
•    Lead cloud financial operations projects from inception to completion
•    Mentor and guide junior FinOps team members
•    Develop and refine cost optimization strategies and initiatives
•    Conduct in-depth financial analysis and present findings to senior leadership
•    Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive cost-efficient cloud solutions
•    Evaluate and recommend cloud financial management tools and technologies
•    Ensure accurate and timely reporting of cloud financial metrics

Level III
•    In addition to L1 and L2 activities:
•    Oversee and manage the cloud financial operations function
•    Develop and implement long-term cloud financial strategies
•    Lead and mentor a team of FinOps professionals
•    Conduct high-level financial analysis and provide strategic recommendations
•    Collaborate with executive leadership to align cloud financial goals with business objectives
•    Ensure the adoption of best practices in cloud cost management and optimization
•    Identify and evaluate emerging trends and technologies in cloud financial management
•    Drive continuous improvement of cloud financial processes and systems
•    Stay up-to-date with industry trends and advancements in cloud financial management.

Skills Required:
•    Strong communication skills
•    Ability to blueprint, design, and deploy scalable, high-availability, and fault-tolerant systems on Azure, Google, AWS, or similar cloud environments
•    Ability to identify and enforce cloud or architectural best practices
•    Ability to learn fast, adapt to new technology, and keep current with industry certifications
•    Experience with Cloud Governance and related services 
•    Experience with Infrastructure as Code, cloud deployment scripts, and tools like Terraform
•    Experience with Azure and/or GCP, AWS, or similar cloud solutions   
•    Working knowledge of IT Service Management
•    Financial Acumen: Deep understanding of financial principles, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost analysis.
•    Cloud Expertise: In-depth knowledge of cloud computing technologies, services, and pricing models.
•    Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically about cloud cost management and align initiatives with business goals.
•    Data-Driven Decision Making: Strong capability to leverage data and analytics to drive decision-making and continuous improvement.
•    Attention to Detail: High level of precision and accuracy in analysis and reporting.

Certificates / Training:

•    FinOps Certified Professional

Experience:

•    Bachelor's degree in finance, computer science, Information Technology, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred
•    +6 years of experience in cloud cost management or related roles

•    +3 years of experience in cloud financial management tools and technologies
•    Demonstrated strategic leadership and management skills
•    Expert-level analytical and problem-solving abilities
•    Comprehensive knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
•    Outstanding communication and collaboration skills
•    Ability to influence and drive change at the executive level

Education Required:

•    Bachelor's degree in finance, computer science, Information Technology, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred

Principles & Related Competencies:

Ethical
•    Complies with policies and procedures; Takes the high road and upholds our values; Maintains confidentiality; Acts with integrity, honesty and respect.

Leader
•    Meets challenges head on to uphold quality standards, productivity goals, and values; Sets an example, building a culture of trust, transparency, and open communication; Is aligned with organizational direction

Collaborative
•    Works cooperatively with others offers and accepts help; Freely shares information as appropriate; Open to and willing to provide feedback; Strong contributor to the team’s results; Celebrates the individual and the team; Ability to clearly communicate.

Looks Beyond Oneself
•    (Team Player) Demonstrates humility and willingness to recognize and give credit to others; Works well alongside people of different backgrounds and ideas; Builds good relationships with others; Values Distributors and teammates. 
Drives Innovation
•    Add value through: Proposing ideas and creative solutions to employee, distributor and/or customer challenges; Listening to and respecting others ideas through collaborating and helping develop those suggestions; Driving ideas forward to implementation.

Delivers Change
•    Delivers Change Through: Adapting to different working environments; Responding positively to change including new duties and assignments.