FinOps Lead - LCBO, Toronto

AI Summary

The LCBO is seeking a FinOps Lead in Toronto to establish and operate FinOps practices, driving cloud financial accountability and cost transparency. This role involves defining cost allocation models, leading cost optimisation initiatives, and producing executive-level reporting on cloud spend. Candidates require a College Diploma in Computer Science or a related information systems field, along with at least three years of experience in FinOps and cloud financial management.

About the Opportunity

As the FinOps Lead at the LCBO in Toronto, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the organisation's cloud financial management strategy. Reporting to the Manager, DevOps & Cloud, this position acts as a crucial liaison across IT, Finance, and various business teams, ensuring robust cloud financial accountability and significant value realisation. You will be instrumental in defining, implementing, and sustaining comprehensive FinOps processes, including precise cost allocation, accurate forecasting, and continuous optimisation strategies across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. This leadership role involves driving measurable savings and enhancing the overall financial efficiency of the LCBO's cloud infrastructure. The successful candidate will lead initiatives to integrate cost awareness into DevOps workflows and ensure transparent reporting of cloud spend.

Key Responsibilities and Practices

The FinOps Lead will be accountable for evolving the FinOps framework, aligning it with FinOps Foundation principles to ensure best practices in cloud financial management. This includes defining intricate cost allocation models, establishing clear tagging standards, and assigning ownership structures to foster greater accountability within the LCBO. A core aspect of this role is to lead various cost optimisation initiatives, ensuring that all efforts result in measurable savings and improved financial health. Managing forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis is critical, alongside tracking and reporting key FinOps performance indicators such as unit cost, waste, and forecast accuracy. Regular cost reviews will be conducted with engineering and business teams to drive informed decision-making. Furthermore, this role involves building comprehensive dashboards and reporting tools for both engineering teams and executive leadership, facilitating clear communication of cloud spend trends and insights. Collaboration with Finance on budgeting and forecasting, and with engineering teams to align spend to value, is essential for the business.

Candidate Profile and Benefits

To excel in this FinOps Lead position, candidates must possess a College Diploma in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a closely related area. A minimum of three years of hands-on experience with FinOps practices and cloud financial management is essential. Strong knowledge of major cloud cost structures, including Azure, AWS, or GCP, is required, along with practical experience using cost tools such as Azure Cost Management or AWS Cost Explorer. An understanding of budgeting, forecasting, and sophisticated cost allocation methodologies is crucial for success. Exceptional stakeholder communication skills across IT and Finance teams are vital for this lead role, enabling effective collaboration and clear reporting. Experience in building or scaling FinOps practices is highly preferred. The LCBO offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health and dental benefits, access to an Employee & Family Assistance Program, a Defined Benefit Pension, and discounts via Workperks, fostering a supportive environment for its employees in Toronto.