Senior Cloud Architect (Director, Cloud Operations)

Role Overview:

At Cornerstone Research, you will be part of a thriving, 1,000-strong team that spans nine offices, comprises more than 55 nationalities, and leads the industry in its commitment to develop team members across all levels. Inc. Magazine has recognized Cornerstone Research three times as a Best Workplace for its outstanding employee engagement, collaborative culture, and professional growth opportunities.

You'll Love It Here If You:

• Embrace learning and continuous improvement

• Set and strive for a high bar of excellence

• Believe that teamwork leads to success: ask us what it means to be #onefirmfirm!

• Take pride in always doing your best work, even if it's harder or takes longer

• Are passionate about what you do

How You'll Help Our Team Succeed:

• Develops, refines, and executes the firm's overarching cloud strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals and industry trends. Identifies and champions new cloud technologies and services that enhance our service offerings and provide competitive advantages. Works with the CIO to transform how technology is used.
• Leads the architectural design and oversees the development and implementation of robust, scalable, and secure cloud solutions across various public cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP). Ensures all solutions adhere to best practices, architectural standards, and security policies.
• Implements and oversees governance frameworks to ensure the quality, security, and compliance of all cloud solutions delivered. Conducts regular reviews to maintain high standards of delivery.
• Translates complex business requirements into effective cloud strategies and technical solutions, leading in-depth technical discussions and presentations with C-level executives and key stakeholders.
• Works closely with cross-functional teams, including product development and cybersecurity, to support business goals.
• Collaborates closely with the Data Science Center, Applied Resource Center, and the CTIO to align projects and initiatives to our cloud infrastructure and architecture.
• Builds a partnership and coordinates with the Consulting staff to help them best leverage our cloud-based infrastructure to improve their efficiencies and capabilities.
• Establishes and enforces best practices for cloud operations, including comprehensive monitoring, logging, cost optimization, and efficient incident response. Drives automation initiatives across the cloud lifecycle to enhance efficiency.
• Stays at the forefront of emerging cloud technologies and industry trends, sharing insights with corporate and consulting teams.
• Recruits, hires, and cultivates a team of cloud architects and engineers. Provides continuous mentorship, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities to foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Manages the cloud budget, focusing on cost optimization and efficient resource utilization.
• Ensures all cloud operations adhere to security best practices and regulatory compliance standards.

What You'll Need to Be Successful:

• 15+ years of relevant experience, with at least 10 years of experience in cloud computing, and 5 years in a leadership or directorial role specifically focused on cloud engineering or architecture.
• Multi-Cloud Proficiency: Deep hands-on experience and relevant certifications in at least two major public cloud platforms (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Google Professional Cloud Architect).
• Strong understanding and practical experience with cloud-native architectures, serverless computing, and backup/recovery technologies and best practices.
• Proven track record of successfully building, leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing engineering teams. Experience with performance management, career development, and fostering a positive and productive team environment.
• Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Extensive experience in managing client expectations and ensuring successful project delivery.
• Demonstrated understanding of the business value that cloud technologies bring, and the ability to effectively align technical solutions with specific client business objectives. Prior experience with proposal development, project scoping, and effort estimation is essential.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to diagnose and troubleshoot complex technical issues and make sound, data-driven decisions under pressure.
• Cloud Professional Certification required (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert). Other IT certifications (e.g., CISSP, CompTIA Cloud+) are a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a closely related technical field; or equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience. A Master's degree is highly preferred.

Cornerstone Research is offering a competitive market base salary for this position. The base salary range represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position in all eligible locations. This range may differ based on your geographic location and cost of living considerations. At Cornerstone Research, we believe compensation is more than just a base salary. We offer a competitive total compensation package that includes an annual performance bonus and comprehensive benefits such as flexible options for healthcare, paid time off, and retirement savings. Relocation assistance is not offered for this position.

Boston: $185,300 - $231,600

Chicago: $196,500 - $245,400

Los Angeles: $184,000 - $229,900

New York: $188,500 - $235,400

San Francisco: $202,000 - $252,400

Silicon Valley: $205,600 - $256,900

Washington, DC: $181,900 - $227,300

Who We Are:

Cornerstone Research provides economic and financial analysis and expert testimony in all phases of commercial litigation and regulatory proceedings.

We work with a broad network of testifying experts, including leaders from academia and industry, who are recognized for their depth of knowledge, accomplishments, and research. Our staff consultants contribute expertise in economics, finance, accounting, and marketing, as well as business acumen, familiarity with the litigation process, and a commitment to produce outstanding results.

We're looking for passionate individuals who share our firm's core values and can bring varied perspectives and experiences to our team. The firm's uniquely collegial, supportive atmosphere makes Cornerstone Research a great place to work. We invest in our people in a host of ways, from providing meaningful learning and development opportunities to organizing memorable social events. To many, our culture and our people are the most exciting, enriching aspects of a Cornerstone Research career.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Cornerstone Research provides Equal Employment Opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to legally protected categories, such as age, sex, gender, gender identity, race, color, creed/religious belief, medical condition, predisposing genetic characteristics or genetic information or testing, disability, marital status, pregnancy status, military status, veteran status, arrest or conviction record (except where permitted by law), sexual orientation, ethnic background, citizen status, ancestry, national origin, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law.