FinOps Program Lead

Cognisol Global Solutions LLC; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 82,656 - 103,320; Full time

Job summary

A leading solutions provider in Richmond, VA is seeking a FinOps Program Lead to optimize cloud spending and financial alignment. The ideal candidate has over 8 years in finance with a focus on cloud finance. Responsibilities include forecasting cloud costs, collaborating with teams, and implementing reporting tools. This role requires onsite work three days a week, offering a competitive rate of $60/hr for W2 candidates.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in a Finance/FP&A related role.
• 3-4 years in cloud finance or operations role.
• Proven track record of implementing a cloud cost analytics framework by product.
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms and pricing models.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and optimize cloud usage/spend.
• Build detailed forecasts for cloud costs.
• Collaborate with ITD Finance team to align cloud spend.
• Implement tools for cloud cost reporting.

Skills

Financial Planning & Analysis

Cloud cost analytics framework

Cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure)

Cloud cost management tools

Basic scripting (Python, SQL)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Computer Science, or a related field

Tools

Cloud Health

Spot

AWS Cost Explorer

Job description

Overview

State of Virginia
Job Title/Req No - FinOps Program Lead
Start Date - 07/16/2025
End Date - 06/30/2026
Client location - 1401 E Broad St. Richmond, VA 23219
Interview Type - Webcam Interview Only
W2 Rate - $60.00/hr.
1099 Rate - $75.00/hr.
Work Arrangement - Onsite

Short Description

The position requires to be onsite for 3 days/week.

Full Job Description

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is seeking a FinOps Program Lead. The primary focus will be to monitor and optimize cloud usage/spend, improve cost visibility, & ensure financial alignment with business values.

Responsibilities

1. Cloud Cost Optimization
   • Partner with I&O, Product and DevOps teams to monitor, analyze, and optimize cloud resource usage (e.g. Azure) by Product and Product Line Pipeline.
   • Identify opportunities for cost savings through right-sizing, reserved instances, and savings plans.
   • Establish policies for resource tagging, allocation, and spend limits to enforce cost accountability.
2. Financial Planning and Analysis
   • Build detailed forecasts for cloud costs, incorporating growth trends, utilization metrics, and product development needs.
   • Collaborate with ITD Finance team to align cloud spend with overall agency budgets and strategic initiatives.
   • Create and maintain dashboards for tracking cloud costs against forecasts and budget.
3. Cross-functional Collaboration
   • Work closely with product, Enterprise Architecture (EA), and engineering teams to ensure efficient resource allocation and budgeting for new features.
   • Provide actionable recommendations to leadership on cloud spend trends, anomalies, and risks.
   • Lead or support initiatives to educate stakeholders on FinOps best practices.
   • Design & implement Cloud Product COGS calculator to guide Pricing & Packaging decisions.
4. Reporting and Governance
   • Implement tools and frameworks to automate cloud cost reporting and alerts.
   • Develop KPIs and benchmarks to track cost efficiency over time.
   • Ensure compliance with internal financial policies and external regulatory requirements.

Experience

8+ years in a Finance/FP&A related role
3-4 years in cloud finance or cloud operations role, ideally in a SaaS or cloud-native environment.

Qualifications

Proven track record of implementing a cloud cost analytics framework by product.
Strong understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and pricing models.
Proficiency in financial modeling and cost analysis.
Experience with cloud cost management tools (e.g., Cloud Health, Spot, AWS Cost Explorer).
Familiarity with FinOps principles and frameworks.
Analytical, detail-oriented, and proactive problem-solver with a passion for efficiency and cost management.
Basic scripting (e.g., Python, SQL) is a plus but not required.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Computer Science, or a related field.

Work Location & Hours

Work Location: Onsite 3 days/week
Work Hours: 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM, flexible schedule available

Skills Matrix

Skill Required / Desired Amount of Experience

• Financial Planning & Analysis Required 8 Years
• Proven track record of implementing a cloud cost analytics framework by product Required 4 Years
• Strong understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure) and pricing models Required 4 Years
• Experience with cloud cost management tools (e.g., CloudHealth, Spot, AWS Cost Explorer) Highly desired 4 Years
• Bachelors degree in Finance, Accounting, Computer Science, or a related field Highly desired 4 Years
• Basic scripting (e.g., Python, SQL) Desired 2 Years