IT Infra and Cloud Specialist

Description/Job Summary

Be part of a team focused on enabling the success of Farm Credit East’s staff through world class technology support. Farm Credit East’s success is built on its ability to leverage technology and staff to provide a high-class customer and employee experience. This position provides staff the support and resources they need to provide the level of service Farm Credit East is known for. We are One Team Working Together with a focus on our five pillars: Outstanding Customer and Employee Experience, Quality Growth, Operational Excellence, Commitment to our Communities, and Protecting Customer Information. 

The value drivers for this role are as follows: 

• As the Infrastructure Technical Specialist – Cloud & Data Center, you will serve as a hands on technical leader responsible for the design, implementation, optimization, and operational excellence of Farm Credit East’s Microsoft Azure Cloud Center of Excellence (COE) and on premises data center infrastructure. This role is focused on technical execution, solution architecture guidance, and cost optimization, while working closely with internal technology teams and external partners, including Farm Credit Financial Partners (FPI).
• This position requires deep technical expertise, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to translate business needs into secure, scalable, and cost effective infrastructure solutions. The incumbent will work in a fast paced environment supporting time sensitive business needs while delivering high quality, reliable infrastructure services.
• The role must own post go live operations, environment stability, platform governance, monitoring, incident response, and SLA management across Salesforce FSC, nCino, Digital Portal, Integrations, Identity, and Data platforms for the Vision 360 project.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Cloud & Infrastructure Technical Leadership

• Act as the technical lead for the Microsoft Azure Cloud Center of Excellence (COE), providing hands on leadership for cloud solution design, implementation, and optimization.
• Provide solution architecture guidance for Azure IaaS and PaaS workloads, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards, security requirements, and business objectives.
• Lead the implementation and support of hybrid infrastructure solutions, integrating Azure cloud services with on premises data center environments.
• Serve as the primary technical escalation point for complex infrastructure issues related to Azure, on prem systems, and hybrid connectivity.

Solution Implementation & Operations

• Execute infrastructure strategies by directly participating in the design, build, deployment, and maintenance of cloud and data center platforms.
• Ensure reliability, availability, performance, and scalability of infrastructure services supporting business applications.
• Partner with application, security, and architecture teams to deliver end to end infrastructure solutions.
• Provide hands on troubleshooting and root cause analysis for infrastructure incidents and performance issues.
• Supports external auditor technology needs for marketplace location.
• Works with security group to administer and coordinate the business continuity plans as directed.

Azure FinOps & Cost Management

• Own and drive Azure FinOps practices, including cost monitoring, optimization, forecasting, and chargeback/showback models.
• Partner with finance and leadership teams to ensure cost effective use of Azure and on-prem infrastructure resources.
• Establish and maintain governance standards to prevent cost overruns and ensure financial accountability.

On Prem Data Center & FPI Collaboration

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for on premises data center infrastructure, including compute, storage, networking, and backup platforms.
• Work closely with Farm Credit Financial Partners (FPI) to support and integrate infrastructure services for on prem and hybrid application workloads.
• Ensure infrastructure solutions meet regulatory, security, and resiliency requirements specific to financial institutions.

Vendor & Platform Collaboration

• Collaborate with infrastructure vendors and service providers to evaluate, implement, and optimize infrastructure technologies.
• Provide technical input into vendor engagements, solution designs, and service delivery expectations.
• Ensure solutions align with agreed upon service levels and technical standards.

Knowledge Sharing & Enablement

• Serve as a technical mentor and subject matter expert for infrastructure team members.
• Partner with learning and development teams to improve staff understanding and effective use of cloud and infrastructure technologies.
• Promote best practices, standards, and reusable patterns across the infrastructure environment.

Communication and Teamwork
Critical to the technology function and success of our staff is clear, concise, and useful verbal and written communication to Association management, staff, and external partners. The incumbent is expected to contribute to a strong team atmosphere by:

• Building effective working relationships across technology, business, and vendor teams.
• Providing outstanding internal customer service and delivering a consistent, high quality customer experience.
• Demonstrating professionalism, ethical behavior, and a positive attitude that contributes to team morale and organizational success.
• Actively assisting and mentoring team members through collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Participate in project teams as a technical subject matter expert, providing infrastructure leadership to move initiatives forward.
• Support assigned working committees and cross functional initiatives where infrastructure expertise adds value.
• Perform other duties as assigned in a timely and effective manner.

Job Qualifications and Requirements:

• This position requires a Bachelor's degree.
• 8+ years of progressive IT infrastructure, Cloud, End User Computing & Service Delivery Management experience. 
• Strong hands on experience with Microsoft Azure (IaaS/PaaS) in enterprise and hybrid environments. 
• Experience supporting on premises data center infrastructure within a regulated or financial services environment preferred.
• Deep knowledge of Azure architecture, governance, security, and FinOps.
• Strong understanding of Windows Server, Active Directory, networking, and hybrid connectivity.
• Experience with M365, O365, Teams, and Azure integrations.
• Familiarity with IT service management and ticketing platforms (ServiceNow preferred).
• Infrastructure certifications (Azure, networking, or security) preferred.
• We offer hybrid work options after two weeks of employment with Farm Credit East. Hybrid work options are determined based on job role and balancing the needs of the customers, the team, and individual work performance. This will be reviewed based on manager discretion.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Salary range: $95,000 - $105,000 commensurate with experience.
• Short Term Incentive to reward business results
• Retirement Contributions:
  • 401(k) match up to 6% of salary; or for those unable to take full advantage of the 401(k) match, verified student loan payments may qualify for an employer match in your 401(k) up to 6% of salary
  • Defined Contribution retirement plan funded at 2-9% of salary depending on years of service
• Time Off:
  • 15-25 days of vacation leave per year, depending on years of service
  • 12 days of holiday leave per year
  • 7.5 days of sick leave in your first year, followed by 12 days of sick leave per year thereafter; unlimited rollover of unused sick leave year to year
  • Paid Parental Leave: Up to 80 hours of paid leave for birthing, non-birthing, and adoptive parents
  • Family Care Leave: Additional leave options available under FMLA and company policy
• Health and Insurance:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, including preventive care and wellness programs to support your overall health and well-being
  • Health Savings Account
  • Life insurance at 2x base pay
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment insurance at 2x base pay
  • Long-term disability insurance at 2/3 base pay
• Additional Benefits:
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Continuing education and training
  • Employee Assistance Program offering a wide variety of tools and resources
• Benefits Eligibility:
  • Eligibility Begins: First of the month following your hire date
  • Eligible Employees: Full-time employees working 30+ hours per week; Part-Time employees working 20+ hours per week.

Farm Credit East is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, disability status, protected veteran status, genetic information or any other status protected by federal, state or local law. It is our goal to make employment decisions that further the principle of equal employment opportunity by utilizing objective standards based upon an individual's qualifications for a specific job opening. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), if you have a disability and would like a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a position with Farm Credit East, please call 1-800-562-2235 or e-mail FarmCreditCareers@farmcrediteast.com.