Compute Infrastructure Service Tower Director

This vacancy is out of date and no longer accepting applications.

Description

N/A

Head, Compute Infrastructure Services
IT Services
Business Process Improvement

A major client has created a new IT Services function to focus on both the quality of services and also their cost-effectiveness. This role is intended to resolve concerns in the Compute Infrastructure area. The post holder will be required to implement and operate a work-class Compute Infrastructure to a rigorous set of continuous improvement targets both in performance and cost.

Purpose:

The principal activities in this function are to ensure that the company world-wide receives high quality fit for purpose compute infrastructure in a cost-effective fashion. The major services covered by this role include:
• Server Hosting Platforms (Win2000/03 UNIX primarily Solaris, legacy mainframe)
• Core Storage (NAS and SAN solutions)
• Server Estate Management (Build, Release and Configuration)
• Web and Portal Services

Responsibilities:

1. To ensure that the Compute Infrastructure services (as defined in the service tower') are fully defined with appropriate transparency of charges and that the charges are competitive and appropriate across different geographies and business units.

2. To develop a set of performance indicators which comprehensively indicate the quality of each compute service. These should include service performance metrics (availability, reliability, capacity, outage details) together with management metrics (service continuity management, root cause identification, root cause elimination).

3. To lead and undertake a series of continuous improvement programs to increase both the performance of the services and concomitantly reduce the costs of those services, to targets agreed with the IT Services Director.

4. Understand the Compute Infrastructure market place, undertake periodic external benchmarking of the company's Compute Services to confirm the service levels and prices remain competitive, support the Value Assurance initiative.

5. To work with the IT Technology Office to ensure that not only do new Compute Infrastructure programs and projects support the published architecture but also that the architectural technical roadmap can deliver high quality manageable services and is synchronised with the Service Delivery portfolio.

6. To implement and follow industry-standard methods (ITIL) management processes, and policies (where these are adopted by the Company).

7. Contribute to the Risk Register reduction initiative to ensure continuity of service in the event that an identified risk materialises.

8. To ensure the effective continuity of essential services in the event of a malicious attack or disaster through the development and agreement of a business continuity plan with appropriate stakeholders, together with the successful testing and if required, implementation of that plan.

Accountable for the development of:

- Metrics and Service Level Agreements for all Compute Services worldwide.
- Service reporting measures
- Jointly accountable for the development of the Compute Infrastructure Architecture (prime accountability for this lies with the Director Technology Office).
- Business Continuity plans for Compute Infrastructure Services

Key Relationships - Accountable to IT Services Director

Joint accountability with:
• Director Technology Office - to ensure the development of appropriate and effective compute infrastructure strategies and architectures.
• Business IT Groups (Business IT Heads) and Centres of Competency to ensure that compute services meet the business needs.
• Project Managers to ensure that compute infrastructure policies are being followed and that project goals can be delivered within the existing compute infrastructure to the required service levels and manageability criteria
• EDS Operational Leads to manage the EDS compute performance to ensure that the targets for performance and cost are met.
• Company operational leads (in-sourced environment) including 3rd Party Compute Infrastructure Vendors .
• IT Procurement for cost effective delivery of services
• IT Services Management team for joint initiatives which span IT Services towers' to ensure effective and efficient coordination.

Working knowledge Required

Must have a track record of successfully operating Compute Infrastructure service delivery (Sun, Microsoft, HP Compute Platforms, Web, Centralised Storage and configuration & control technologies) in a complex multi-company, multi-vendor environment.

Strong technical and analytical skills showing a history of understanding differentiators between technological options and an ability to balance business needs with technical risk in the implementation of technical business solutions. The ability to think and execute both strategically as well as tactically.

Proven level of competence in managing large-scale (£10m+) outsourcing arrangements for computing infrastructure, both technically as well as commercially.

A good understanding of the ITIL (or North American equivalent) standards for Information technology.

Proven level of competence of successfully implementing benchmarking in an outsourcing environment, both for Commercial and Service Level measurement.

Good interpersonal skills which allow effective communications at all levels in the organisation, verbally, in writing and through presentation.

Key Leadership Competencies
- Process Management
- Decision Quality
- Command Skills
- Integrity & Trust
- Business Acumen
- Managing through Systems
- Conflict Management
- Drive for results

Key Professional Competencies
- Ability to see the strategic view
- Numeracy
- Analytical and problem solving skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Entrepreneurial

To apply contact Holly Boucher at Wynnwith on 01935 403228 or email CV to holly.boucher@wynnwith.com

Wynnwith Engineering Company Ltd