[Hiring] Head of Cloud @RS Group

Role Description

The Head of Cloud is accountable for setting the strategic direction, leadership and operational effectiveness of the Group cloud capability across AWS, Microsoft Azure and strategic SaaS platforms. The role leads the Cloud Competency Centre, Cloud Engineering and DevSecOps teams, ensuring that cloud platforms and engineering services are secure, resilient, scalable, cost-effective and aligned to business strategy. It works in partnership with Enterprise Architecture, Cyber Security, Product Engineering, Service Delivery and the FinOps Lead to define standards, manage risk and optimise cloud run costs.

A key part of the role is ownership of strategic engagement with Cloud Service Providers, Managed Service Partners, systems integrators and specialist third-party partners, ensuring that services, roadmaps, commercials and operational performance support Group priorities and deliver measurable value.

What You Will Be Doing

• Define and own the Group cloud strategy, operating model and roadmaps across AWS, Microsoft Azure and strategic SaaS platforms.
• Lead the Cloud Competency Centre, Cloud Engineering and DevSecOps capabilities, setting standards, guardrails, reusable patterns and clear service ownership.
• Ensure cloud platforms, landing zones and engineering services are secure, resilient, scalable, automated, observable and cost-effective.
• Drive infrastructure as code, policy as code, CI/CD, secure pipelines, test automation, golden paths and developer enablement.
• Lead the migration and modernisation of Operating Company infrastructure, applications and platforms into approved Group cloud environments.
• Maintain effective cloud operations, resilience, backup, disaster recovery, continuity testing and continual service improvement.
• Partner with the FinOps Lead to manage cloud budgets, consumption, commitments, allocation, forecasting and optimisation.
• Own strategic relationships with AWS, Microsoft, Managed Service Partners, systems integrators and specialist suppliers, holding them accountable for performance, value and knowledge transfer.
• Manage operational, technical, supplier, security and financial risks, supporting audit and assurance activity.
• Build trusted relationships across Architecture, Cyber Security, Product Engineering, Service Delivery, Finance, Procurement, Legal and Operating Company stakeholders.
• Develop a high-performing, inclusive and accountable global team through clear direction, coaching, succession planning and capability development.

Qualifications

• Proven senior leadership experience across Cloud Engineering, Platform Engineering, Infrastructure or DevSecOps in a complex enterprise.
• Experience leading global teams, managers, engineering leads and senior technical specialists, with a strong record of capability and talent development.
• Experience defining cloud strategy, operating models, governance and transformation roadmaps.
• Strong enterprise knowledge of AWS and Microsoft Azure, including landing zones, cloud governance, automation, observability, infrastructure as code, policy as code and cloud security.
• Strong understanding of DevSecOps and the software delivery lifecycle, including CI/CD, secure pipelines, automated testing, vulnerability management and compliance automation.
• Experience leading cloud migration, modernisation or data centre exit across multiple business units or Operating Companies.
• Strong operational service management, resilience, continuity, risk and compliance experience.
• Commercial awareness, with experience managing budgets, cloud consumption, contracts, suppliers and technology cost optimisation.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate complex technical matters into clear outcomes, risks, costs and investment priorities.
• Experience managing strategic relationships with Cloud Service Providers, Managed Service Partners and systems integrators.

Benefits

• Financial - pension/retirement; life assurance; salary finance (payroll deduction loan scheme)
• Wellbeing - medical plans; health screening; critical illness; disability insurance; holiday / paid time off; employee assistance programme; discounted gym/health club membership
• Lifestyle - transportation assistance schemes (e.g., cycle to work, travel loans, car leasing); onsite catering/lunch vouchers; retail discounts
• Spotlight – our global recognition programme provides a platform to highlight and recognise people role modelling our values

Company Description

At RS, we are making amazing happen for a better world. As a global product and service solutions provider, we help industrial customers operate more efficiently and sustainably. Operating in 33 markets, we support around one million customers worldwide with more than 875,000 stocked products, access to over five million additional products, and a range of service solutions designed to help businesses thrive.

What sets us apart is our people. More than 8,500 colleagues around the world bring technical expertise, digital innovation, and a customer first mindset to everything we do. Guided by our values – We are one team, We deliver brilliantly, We do the right thing, and We make every day better, we're creating an environment where our people can grow, contribute and make a meaningful impact.