Cloud FinOps Solution Architect

Cloud FinOps Solution Architect

GDIT is seeking a Cloud FinOps Solution Architect for the Federal Civilian Division to join our team. In this role, you will support a large-scale, global Cloud and Data Center Services program for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Technology (DT). You will lead the strategy, governance, and operations of cloud financial management (FinOps) across AWS, Azure, GCP, and local environments, driving cost optimization, forecasting accuracy, invoicing and charging, and unit‑economics transparency. Responsibilities include consumption analysis, tagging governance, savings commitments (Savings Plans/reservations/commitments), anomaly detection, budget management, tooling, and executive reporting, and proactive healing.

HOW A CLOUD FINOPS LEAD WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

FinOps Strategy & Governance:

• Establish and mature FinOps practices across DT, including policies, standards, and operating rhythms (cadence, KPIs, playbooks, RACI).
• In collaboration with other program resources, define and enforce cloud tagging governance (cost centers, applications, environments, owners) to enable accurate allocation, invoicing and charging, and accountability.
• Create unit‑economics models (e.g., cost per user/transaction/app) to inform product and engineering decisions.
• Have a growing awareness of emerging FinOps for AI practices, including cost governance for GPU consumption, model inference spend, and AI infrastructure economics, to support engagements as they arise

Forecasting, Budgeting & Financial Controls:

• Build rolling forecasts, annual budgets, and monthly outlooks; reconcile actuals vs. forecast with variance analysis.
• Partner with contracts/procurement on cloud marketplace buys, enterprise agreements, license true‑ups, and multi‑year commitments.
• Support program financials (e.g., EVM where applicable), cost transparency to stakeholders, and funding alignment to mission priorities.

Tools, Automation & Observability:

• Lead adoption and tuning of cloud cost tools such as AWS Cost Explorer/Budgets/Compute Optimizer, Azure Cost Management/Advisor/Reservations, GCP Billing/Recommender/Commitments, and third‑party platforms (e.g., VMware Aria Cost (CloudHealth), Apptio Cloudability, Flexera, or equivalent).
• Automate data pipelines for cost, usage, and KPIs; integrate with BI dashboards and CMDB/ITSM for service mapping.
• Maintain standard reporting: executive scorecards, portfolio/model dashboards, optimization backlogs, proactive communication and healing, and monthly business reviews.

Security, Compliance & Risk Considerations:

• Align FinOps data and processes with DT security policies, FedRAMP, and governance requirements; ensure least‑privilege access to billing and finance systems.
• Coordinate with cybersecurity and platform teams to balance Zero Trust (ZT) principles, operational needs, and financial guardrails (quotas, policies, budgets).

Stakeholder Engagement & Enablement:

• Run cross‑functional workshops with application owners, platform engineering, operations, finance, and contracts to embed cost‑aware design.
• Provide enablement materials, playbooks, training sessions, and office hours to improve budgeting discipline and optimization adoption.
• Deliver concise, data‑driven briefings to DT leadership; maintain transparent communications on savings progress and risks.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED
Bring your initiative and drive for innovation to GDIT. The Cloud FinOps Lead must have:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Finance/Accounting, or related technical discipline (Master’s preferred)..
• Experience: 8+ years relevant experience supporting in cloud, platform, or financial operations with at least 3 years focused on FinOps across multi‑cloud enterprise environments. Strong understanding of ITSM, cloud service delivery, financial analytics, forecasting, and governance frameworks. Experience developing financial performance plans, optimization dashboards, reporting packages, unit economics models, and corrective‑action processes
• Certification: FinOps Certified Practitioner (FCP) (required) or FinOps Certified Professional (FCP‑Pro) (preferred, if available via FinOps Foundation track), and one or more cloud architect/admin certifications (preferred) (AWS Solutions Architect – Associate/Professional, or Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or Google Professional Cloud Architect), and ITIL Foundation (preferred for service management alignment)
• Technical skills: Technology Business Management Framework (TBM) awareness/experience (preferred; formal certification optional), Hands‑on expertise with AWS/Azure/GCP cost tools, reservations/commitments, usage analytics, and optimization levers. Proficiency with cost tagging/governance, showback/chargeback models, and unit‑economics. Experience with CloudHealth (VMware Aria Cost), Cloudability, Flexera, or equivalent FinOps platforms; Power BI/Tableau or similar for reporting. Strong Excel/Sheets or scripting (Python/SQL) for data wrangling and automation. Familiarity with CMDB/ITSM integrations (e.g., service mapping to cost), portfolio/product financials, and contract/procurement workflows.
• Security clearance level: Active Top Secret level clearance
• Location: Hybrid within the National Capital Region with periodic travel to customer and data center sites.
• Timeline: This is a contingent position expected to start in Spring 2027.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE
At GDIT, the mission is our purpose, and our people are at the center of everything we do.
● Growth: AI-powered career tool that identifies career steps and learning opportunities
● Support: An internal mobility team focused on helping you achieve your career goals
● Rewards: Comprehensive benefits and wellness packages, 401K with company match, and competitive pay and paid time off
● Flexibility: Full-flex work week to own your priorities at work and at home
● Community: Award-winning culture of innovation and a military-friendly workplace

OWN YOUR OPPORTUNITY
Explore a career at GDIT and you’ll find endless opportunities to grow alongside colleagues who share your sense of ownership and pride in the meaningful work we do.