“Can you turn cloud cost insights into measurable business value while driving customer adoption and long-term FinOps success?”

As a frontier partner, we grow through great people, smart tech, and teamwork between humans and AI.

The FinOps Value & Adoption Manager helps customers convert FinOps insight into measurable value realisation from Cloud Direct’s FinOps services. The role owns the customer engagement lifecycle from onboarding through continual optimisation, ensuring identified opportunities become approved actions, implemented improvements, evidenced outcomes and validated value realised against agreed baselines.

Working across Azure FinOps today and future Microsoft 365 FinOps and AI FinOps services, the role acts as a trusted advisor to technical, operational, financial and executive stakeholders. Success is measured not by identifying optimisation opportunities alone, but by influencing customer adoption, accelerating implementation, evidencing value realisation, reporting validated outcomes and increasing customer FinOps maturity.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Customer Engagement & Relationship Management:

• Own a portfolio of FinOps customer engagements and act as the primary customer-facing value and adoption lead.
• Establish trusted advisor relationships with technical, operational, finance and executive stakeholders.
• Facilitate recurring service reviews, optimisation workshops and governance meetings.
• Develop customer-specific optimisation roadmaps aligned to business objectives, adoption priorities, value-realisation opportunities and FinOps maturity goals.
• Manage customer expectations, priorities and service outcomes.

Value Realisation & Adoption:

• Drive customer adoption of optimisation recommendations across Azure, Microsoft 365 and AI workloads.
• Convert identified opportunities into approved implementation plans.
• Maintain optimisation backlogs and track progress through identified, approved, implemented and value-realised stages.
• Remove blockers and coordinate stakeholder engagement to accelerate recommendation adoption.
• Validate and evidence savings and value outcomes against agreed baselines.
• Support gain-share measurement and reporting activities where applicable.

FinOps Advisory & Governance:

• Deliver FinOps best-practice guidance and coaching.
• Support customers in improving financial accountability, forecasting and governance maturity.
• Facilitate prioritisation of optimisation opportunities and investment decisions.
• Drive continual service improvement through structured governance processes.
• Escalate delivery risks, optimisation blockers and governance concerns when required.

Service Delivery & Reporting:

• Support onboarding activities including baseline assessments, stakeholder workshops and optimisation planning.
• Produce monthly service reports, optimisation dashboards and executive value reports.
• Coordinate cross-functional delivery activities involving Managed Services, Professional Services, Engineering and customer teams.
• Ensure customer actions, recommendations, decisions and outcomes are appropriately documented and tracked.
• Provide customer feedback and market insights to support evolution of Cloud Direct’s FinOps service portfolio.

Service Development & Continuous Improvement:

• Contribute to the development and enhancement of Azure, Microsoft 365 and AI FinOps services.
• Support the creation of repeatable engagement methodologies, reporting standards and governance frameworks.
• Identify opportunities to improve customer experience, adoption rates and service effectiveness.
• Act as a customer advocate within Cloud Direct to ensure services remain outcome-focused and value-led.

What We’re Looking For:

• Exceptional communication, presentation and stakeholder management skills. 
• Demonstrable experience in customer-facing consulting, customer success, service delivery or advisory roles. 
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive action without direct authority. 
• Strong relationship-building and trusted advisor capabilities. 
• Commercial awareness and an ability to articulate technical value in business terms. 
• Experience managing multiple customers, priorities and workstreams simultaneously. 
• Strong organisational, planning and reporting skills. 
• Technical literacy sufficient across Microsoft & FinOps optimisation platforms to engage credibly with customer Technical stakeholders and Internal engineering & support teams. 
• Experience working with commercial, finance or operational stakeholders to translate optimisation opportunities into agreed actions. 
• Working knowledge of FinOps principles, cloud cost optimisation, value tracking and financial accountability practices. 

Highly Desirable:

• FinOps Foundation Practitioner, Professional or equivalent certification. 
• Azure administration, engineering or architecture experience. 
• Microsoft 365 licensing, administration or optimisation experience. 
• Knowledge of Microsoft Copilot, AI services and consumption-based charging models. 
• Experience delivering cloud optimisation, cost management or value realisation programmes. 
• Managed Services, Professional Services or technology consultancy experience. 
• Experience in governance, financial management or operational transformation initiatives. 
• Executive reporting and business review facilitation experience.

What do we offer you?

• Responsible Time off (uncapped annual leave)
• Fitness Cash Contribution
• Pension Contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave
• Life Assurance, Critical Illness, and Income Protection.
• Birthday lunches, a Fun Fund, and more.

At Cloud Direct, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our success. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to build a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We encourage candidates of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and socioeconomic statuses to apply.

“A hands-on software engineering, technical leadership, coaching and delivery accountability”

The Systems Engineering Lead is responsible for the technical leadership, delivery, and evolution of the Systems Engineering team. The team exists to design, build and enhance the systems, platforms, products and intellectual property that move Cloud Direct forward, with a particular focus on Artificial Intelligence, automation and emerging technologies. 

This role is the senior technical leader within the Systems Engineering team, reporting to the Head of Business Systems alongside a Principal Architect, Systems Reliability and Automation team and Systems Operations team. While the Principal Architect owns architectural direction, governance and technical standards across Business Systems, the Systems Engineering Lead is accountable for translating that direction into successful engineering delivery which transforms the business. 

The role combines hands-on software engineering, technical leadership, coaching and delivery accountability. The successful candidate will lead a small but mighty team of software engineers (including graduates), shaping technical solutions from concept through to production whilst maintaining high standards of engineering quality, security and reliability. 

Success in this role will be demonstrated by: 

• Delivery of strategic systems, platforms and AI initiatives to agreed scope, quality and timelines.  

• A high-performing engineering team with clear standards, effective ways of working and measurable development of engineers.  

• Consistent delivery of secure, maintainable and supportable software with reduced technical debt and improved engineering maturity.  

• Successful adoption of AI, automation and new technology capabilities that generate measurable business value.  

• Strong alignment between engineering delivery and architectural strategy through effective partnership with the Principal Architect.  

• Establishment of scalable engineering practices, tooling and processes that enable future growth of the Systems Engineering capability.  

What you’ll be doing?

Technical Leadership: 

• Provide technical leadership and direction for the Systems Engineering team. 

• Lead solution design and key engineering decisions in partnership with the Principal Architect. 

• Establish and maintain engineering standards, quality expectations and development practices through automation, testing, CI/CD, observability and development tooling. 

• Provide deep technical leadership into selected customer innovation engagements, workshops and proof-of-concept activities where specialist engineering expertise is required. 

Engineering Delivery:

• Lead the delivery of systems, platforms, integrations and AI-enabled solutions.  

• Remain hands-on in the design, development and deployment of software where required.  

• Ensure solutions are secure, scalable, maintainable and operationally supportable.  

• Shape and prioritise technical work with stakeholders and product owners. 

AI & Innovation:

• Identify opportunities to apply AI, automation and emerging technologies to create business value. 

• Translate emerging technologies from research and discovery activities into production-ready solutions, prototypes and reusable intellectual property. 

• Support customer-facing innovation activities where deep technical expertise is required.  

Team Leadership

• Line manage, mentor and develop software engineers at all experience levels. 

• Support recruitment, onboarding and capability development across the team. 

• Foster a culture of engineering excellence, ownership and continuous improvement. 

What you’ll need:

• 5+ years commercial software engineering experience (excluding junior roles). 
• 3+ years experience leading engineering teams, technical programmes or senior technical initiatives. 
• Proven experience designing and delivering complex business-critical software solutions. 
• Strong experience with Microsoft Azure platforms and cloud-native development. 
• Strong experience delivering AI-enabled applications, intelligent automation solutions, or agent-based systems. 
• Experience with Azure OpenAI, AI Foundry or equivalent AI platforms. 
• Experience building AI agents, copilots or workflow automation platforms. 
• Experience using Azure DevOps, Git and CI/CD practices. 
• Strong understanding of software security, DevSecOps and secure-by-design principles. 
• Experience mentoring engineers and developing junior technical talent. 
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills. 
• Must be able to work from our Bath office at least two days per week. 

Experience and Skills Desired:

• Competent in C# (.NET 6+) and modern software architecture. 
• Competent building web applications using React and modern SPA frameworks. 
• Competent designing and implementing REST APIs and distributed systems. 
• Experience with Python for AI, automation or data-processing workloads. 
• Experience with Docker, containers and Azure Container Apps. 
• Experience with SQL Server and Cosmos DB. 
• Experience contributing to technical strategy, roadmaps or architecture forums. 
• Experience working within a Microsoft partner, consultancy or managed services environment. 
• Experience supporting innovation or research-led initiatives. 

What we’re offering:

• Responsible Time Off (Uncapped Annual Leave)
• Fitness Cash Contribution 
• Pension Contribution 
• Employee Assistance Programme 
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave 
• Life Assurance, Critical Illness, and Income Protection. 
• Birthday lunches, a Fun Fund, and more. 

At Cloud Direct, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our success. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to build a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We encourage candidates of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and socioeconomic statuses to apply.

“A graduate programme designed to develop the next generation of Frontier Engineers”

The Graduate Frontier Engineer role is designed to support graduates as they transition from education into real‑world, client‑facing roles at the forefront of AI‑enabled business change. You will help Cloud Direct and its customers become Frontier Firms — organisations that use AI, cloud technology, and human‑centred design to radically improve how work gets done. This role sits at the intersection of technology, people, and process, and is ideal for graduates who are excited about how AI is reshaping the business world. 

From day one, graduates are supported through a preceptorship model, meaning you will be working with experienced Engineers who act as your coach. This ensures you develop confidence, capability, and independence at a sustainable pace. Through the Breakthrough2AI programme, graduates build a balanced foundation of technical skills, business understanding, and human skills, learning how to design, build, and explain AI‑powered solutions that solve real customer problems. 

Graduates progress through three structured phases blending formal learning, Microsoft certifications, preceptor‑led development, and direct project involvement.

On successful completion, individuals are assessed as “Frontier Engineer Ready” with the opportunity to transition into a fully fledged frontier engineering role within Cloud Direct. 

What You’ll Be Doing:

Phase 1: Months 1-6

• Formal onboarding and training, including basic certifications, supported by your assigned preceptor.  
• Work on internal frontier projects within Cloud Direct – for example completing testing. 
• Shadow and assist in Frontier Impact Studio (FIS) sessions looking at AI ideation. 
• Contribute to simple PoC tasks (coding, cloud setup) with mentoring.

Phase 2: Months 7-12

• Continue supporting FIS outcomes by helping to build and deploy prototypes in real client contexts. 
• Increase client exposure: present in meetings, handle parts of workshops, get feedback. 
• Learn and apply business process mapping techniques to understand and improve how organisations work. 
• Use AI‑backed development tools to support coding and solution design. 
• Own larger components of projects (e.g. development of a feature or model) with ongoing support from your preceptor. 
• Complete intermediate certification. 

Phase 3: Months 13-18

• Act as tech lead for an internal project or a client PoC with supervision by your preceptor. 
• End-to-end solution ownership: from design decisions to deployment and testing in a real-world setting. 
• Regular client interaction managed largely independently (status updates, demos, refining requirements). 
• Specialized training or elective projects to deepen expertise (e.g. MLOps, advanced data engineering, or architecture patterns). 
• Final Microsoft certification completion.

What We’re Looking For:

• Achieved or on track for 2:1 or above in Computer Science or a similar technical discipline.
• A strong interest in artificial intelligence and how it is transforming the business world.
• Some experience in programming (Python, C#, JavaScript or similar), with specific interest in AI‑assisted coding and modern development practices.
• Interest in applied AI, cloud technologies, and building real‑world systems.
• Strong human and communication skills, including the confidence to explain ideas and present to others.
• Curiosity about business processes, systems, and how technology supports people at work.
• Ability to work collaboratively in fast‑moving environments.

What You’ll Gain:

• Microsoft certifications
• Full mentoring and coaching 
• Real-world client project experience
• Clear promotion and progression pathway
• The opportunity to specialise in cuttingedge areas of AI engineering
• Transition into a permanent Frontier Engineer role on completion

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application via email to Careers@clouddirect.co.za.

Please ensure your application includes:

• An up-to-date CV
• A motivation letter outlining why you would like to pursue a role as a Frontier Engineer and what you believe you would bring to the position
• Kindly use the subject line: Application – Frontier Engineer.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At Cloud Direct, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our success. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to build a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We encourage candidates of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and socioeconomic statuses to apply.

“Can you designing data strategies that translate complex information into scalable, actionable solutions?”

As a frontier partner, we grow through great people, smart tech, and teamwork between humans and AI.

As a Data Architect, you will be responsible for defining, designing, and governing scalable, secure, and high-performing data platforms within the Microsoft Azure ecosystem, with a strong focus on Microsoft Fabric.

You will play a strategic role in shaping end-to-end data architecture, ensuring alignment to business objectives, and enabling data-driven decision-making. This includes establishing Lakehouse architectures (Medallion), enforcing data governance and security frameworks, and leading customer engagements and workshops to deliver impactful, business-aligned data solutions.

What You’ll Do:

• Data Architecture & Solution Design
  • Design and own end-to-end data architectures leveraging Microsoft Fabric, Azure Synapse, and Data Lake.
  • Define and implement Medallion (Bronze, Silver, Gold) lakehouse architectures to support scalable analytics.
  • Apply well-architected frameworks and best practices to ensure robust, secure, and cost-effective solutions.
  • Establish dimensional data models to support enterprise reporting and analytics use cases.
  • Architect and optimise data storage solutions including Data Lake, Fabric Warehouses, and SQL-based platforms.
• Data Engineering Oversight
  • Oversee the design and development of ETL/ELT pipelines using Azure Data Factory and Fabric pipelines.
  • Guide implementation of data processing using PySpark and SQL across large-scale datasets.
  • Ensure high-performance, fault-tolerant, and scalable data pipelines.
  • Drive best practices in code quality, testing (e.g., PyTest, Great Expectations), and CI/CD.
• Data Governance, Security & Compliance
  • Define and implement enterprise-wide data governance frameworks using Microsoft Purview.
  • Establish and enforce data security, access controls, and compliance policies.
  • Ensure data quality, lineage, cataloguing, and auditing across all platforms.
  • Act as the custodian of data standards, policies, and best practices.
• Analytics & Visualisation Enablement
  • Enable and guide development of Power BI solutions, including data models and DAX calculations.
  • Ensure semantic models are aligned to business definitions and reporting needs.
  • Support the delivery of trusted, business-ready datasets for analytics and reporting.
• Client Engagement & Delivery
  • Lead customer workshops, translating business requirements into scalable architectural designs.
  • Act as a trusted advisor, providing strategic guidance on data platforms, governance, and analytics.
  • Collaborate with stakeholders across business and technical teams to deliver value-driven solutions.
  • Ensure high-quality project delivery within scope, timelines, and budget.
• Documentation & Standards
  • Produce and maintain high-quality architectural documentation, including:
  • Solution designs
  • Data models
  • Governance frameworks
  • Pipeline architectures
  • Establish reusable architecture patterns and standards across projects.
• Leadership & Mentorship
  • Provide technical leadership and architectural direction to data engineers and analysts.
  • Mentor team members and drive knowledge sharing and best practices.
  • Contribute to building a strong data architecture capability within the organisation.

What We’re Looking For:

• • Proven experience as a Data Architect or Senior Data Engineer transitioning into architecture.
• • Strong hands-on expertise in:
  • Microsoft Fabric
  • Azure Data Factory / Fabric pipelines
  • PySpark and SQL
  • Dimensional modelling
  • Medallion architecture (Lakehouse design)
• Solid experience with:
  • Power BI and DAX
  • Data governance and security frameworks
  • Microsoft Purview
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver end-to-end data platforms.
• Strong experience in data modelling, warehousing, and architecture best practices.
• Experience working with large, complex, and distributed datasets.
• Proven track record of leading customer engagements and workshops.
• Strong documentation and communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with DevOps and CI/CD practices in data environments.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science, Data Engineering, or related field.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft Azure Data Engineer / Fabric certifications) are advantageous.

What We Offer:

• Responsible Time off (uncapped annual leave)
• Fitness Cash Contribution
• Pension Contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave
• Life Assurance, Critical Illness, and Income Protection.
• Birthday lunches, a Fun Fund, and more.

At Cloud Direct, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our success. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to build a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We encourage candidates of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and socioeconomic statuses to apply.

Thank you for taking the time to apply. While we would love to respond to everyone individually, due to the high volume of applications, we may only reach out to shortlisted candidates.

If you haven’t heard from us within 4 weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful this time—but we truly appreciate your interest and encourage you to apply for future opportunities with us!

“Are you ready to deliver innovative cloud solutions while working alongside expert consultants and dynamic project teams?”

As a frontier partner, we grow through great people, smart tech, and teamwork between humans and AI.

As a Senior Consultant in our Cloud & AI Platform practice, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our customers’ businesses by delivering innovative, scalable, and transformative Cloud & AI platform practice solutions. You will support our customers as an advisor, helping our customers build strategic roadmaps, align business and technical requirements, and deliver impactful results.

This role positions you as a leader in customer engagements and delivery excellence.

What You’ll Do:

• Advanced Technical Delivery – Lead the implementation of complex Cloud & AI platform practice solutions and review/validate work from junior consultants.
• Requirements Analysis: Gather, analyse, and prioritise both technical and business requirements, ensuring alignment with customer and project objectives.
• Solution Ideation and Design: Lead ideation workshops, conceptualise innovative solutions, and translate ideas into an actionable roadmap.
• Technical Oversight: Provide technical leadership across project lifecycles, ensuring best practice, delivery and technical excellence.
• Support – Support junior consultant and engineer functions whilst contributing to internal knowledge sharing.
• Project Leadership: Technically lead the project delivery team and provide technical expertise, present tailored solutions, and shape engagements for prospective customers. Overseeing implementation and ensuring seamless execution.
• Trusted Advisor: Establish a relationship with key customer stakeholders to help gain deeper knowledge of a customer’s business challenges.
• Thought Leadership: Stay ahead of industry trends, contribute to knowledge sharing, and represent the practice in conferences, forums, and publications.

What We’re Looking For:

• 5+ years in enterprise architecture, solution design, or related roles, with a strong focus on Cloud & AI platform practice.
• Expertise in Cloud & AI platform practice deployments.
• Experience working and providing effective communication with stakeholders and executive sponsors to create strategic vision including high-level architectures and delivery roadmaps.
• Experience from leading projects including building project backlogs and working with technical implementation teams.
• Familiarity with Well-Architected frameworks, security principles, and Agile/Waterfall project lifecycles.
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale, customer-facing projects.
• Experience in presales, including solutioning, proposal development, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a strategic mindset.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of influencing technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What We Offer:

• Responsible Time off (uncapped annual leave)
• Fitness Cash Contribution
• Pension Contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Leave
• Life Assurance, Critical Illness, and Income Protection.
• Birthday lunches, a Fun Fund, and more.

At Cloud Direct, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to our success. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and strive to build a team that reflects the diverse communities we serve. We encourage candidates of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, ages, abilities, and socioeconomic statuses to apply.