Technology FinOps Lead

First Central; Haywards Heath; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company is seeking a Technology FinOps Lead to enhance financial accountability in cloud environments. The role demands expertise in cloud cost management, requiring strong analytical skills and a FinOps certification. Join a supportive and innovative team dedicated to cost efficiency and technology optimization.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of cloud platforms, especially Azure.
• Experience in financial analysis and cost modelling.
• Proven experience in a FinOps or related technology role.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and report on cloud and technology spending.
• Govern governance policies for cloud resource tagging.
• Collaborate with finance teams to ensure accurate cost allocation.

Skills

Communication

Problem-Solving

Data Analysis

Collaboration

Education

FinOps Certified Practitioner

Certified Cloud Financial Management

Tools

Azure Cost Management

Power BI

Job description

We’re 1st Central, a market-leading insurance company utilising smart data and technology at pace. Rapid growth has been based on giving our 1.4 million customers exactly what they want: great value insurance with an excellent service. And that’s the same for our colleagues too; we won Insurance Employer of the Year at the British Insurance Awards 2024 and our Glassdoor score is pretty high!

We’re looking for a Technology FinOps Lead to join our IT Governance team, who’ll play a crucial role in managing, optimising, and reporting our cloud, technology, and data costs. You’ll work closely with cross-functional teams, including value stream teams and finance, to drive technological cost transparency and efficiency within our cloud environment (and other areas of IT spend) to support decision-making.

We value flexible working arrangements, so you can choose to work remotely or perhaps you live within a commutable distance from one of our offices in Salford Quays, Manchester, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, or Guernsey, and want to work in the office occasionally.

Core skills required to succeed in the role:

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong reporting, problem-solving, and analytical abilities, with attention to detail.
• Data analysis skills.
• Ability to work independently and drive financial accountability within a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• FinOps Certified Practitioner or Certified Cloud Financial Management or similar certification is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms, particularly Azure, and containerised environments.

What’s involved:

• Proactively monitor, analyse, and report on cloud and technology spending, especially our Azure-based environments.
• Governance policies and standards for cloud resource tagging to ensure proper asset categorisation and cost allocation. Collaborate with technical teams and external providers to implement standardised tagging structures for better cost tracking and reporting.
• Own financial models and forecasts for technology and data costs, including cloud. Provide reporting and insights on cost efficiency, resource utilisation, and budget adherence.
• Support value stream leaders with financial data to align technology costs with business objectives.
• Work closely with finance teams to ensure accurate budgeting, forecasting, cost allocation, chargeback models, and financial reporting.
• Stay up to date with Technology FinOps best practices and industry trends to continuously improve financial processes.
• Monitor, investigate, and report on cost spikes; work with teams to identify remediation activities. Enforce FinOps governance policies, ensuring adherence to cost management best practices.
• Maintain cost allocation frameworks to improve accountability across teams.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and internal audit requirements. Enforce tagging compliance across all cloud environments and report gaps to senior management. Develop and own dashboards and reports to enhance visibility into cloud and other spending trends and cost efficiency. Collaborate with value stream teams to identify and support cost-saving strategies.
• Partner with procurement and supplier management teams to optimise cloud agreements, licensing models, and spend.
• Educate stakeholders on FinOps principles, governance policies, and best practices for cost efficiency.
• Comply with the Group Code of Conduct, Fitness and Propriety policies, and other relevant standards/regulations at all times.

Experience and Knowledge:

• Strong understanding of cloud platforms, particularly Azure, and containerised environments.
• Proficiency in financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and cost modelling.
• Experience with cloud cost management tools (e.g., Azure Cost Management).
• Expertise in enforcing tagging policies and governance frameworks for cloud cost management.
• Ability to conduct checks and implement compliance measures for cloud resource categorisation and financial accountability.
• Experience with visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI).
• Familiarity with DevOps methodologies and value stream-driven environments.
• Proven experience in a FinOps, Cloud Cost Management, or similar financial/technology role.
• Experience in financial services or other regulated industries is preferred.
• Experience in developing and enforcing cloud governance policies, including tagging structures and compliance oversight is an advantage.

Skills:

• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to engage with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong reporting, problem-solving, and analytical abilities, with attention to detail.
• Data analysis skills.
• Ability to work independently and drive financial accountability within a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Qualifications:

• FinOps Certified Practitioner or Certified Cloud Financial Management or similar certification.

Behaviours:

• Proactive and collaborative working style with stakeholders across the business.
• Adaptability, willingness to develop and learn, with a positive attitude.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic, with a desire to meet or exceed targets.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Curious mindset: asking questions and exploring new solutions to improve processes and support innovation.
• Clear communication, able to explain financial and technical information clearly.
• High standards of compliance and ethics.
• Drive improvements to contribute to business success.

If you’re up for the challenge and want to join our vibrant team, we want to hear from you today.

What can we do for you?

People first. Always. We’re passionate about our colleagues and offer an energetic, inspirational, and supportive workplace. To learn more about our perks, see here.

Intrigued? Our Talent team can tell you everything about what we want and what we’re offering. Feel free to get in touch.