Platforms Lead

About Tonkin + Taylor

Tonkin + Taylor is New Zealand's foremost engineering and environmental consultancy known for its technical expertise in addressing complex challenges. As an employee-owned New Zealand company, our shared goal is creating and sustaining a better world.

Role Overview

We are seeking a Platforms Lead to oversee the advancement of our central technology platforms, including cloud and on-premises infrastructure, Microsoft 365, identity management, networking, DevOps and endpoint platforms, and operational tooling. This leadership role involves managing Infrastructure and Platform engineers to deliver secure, scalable, resilient, and cost-efficient platforms that support business needs, transformation, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct the operational lifecycle, roadmap, and ongoing enhancement of enterprise technology platforms.
• Lead the evolution of hybrid infrastructure, translating strategy into actionable standards and implementation plans.
• Ensure services are secure, reliable, scalable, and cost-effective.
• Provide technical oversight on platform architecture, solution design, and engineering standards.
• Review critical technical decisions and lead complex initiatives and major incident responses.
• Delegate effectively while coaching and empowering specialist engineers.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Infrastructure and Platform Engineers fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and client-focused team.
• Enhance team capabilities across cloud technologies, infrastructure, automation, and emerging tools.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement across platform teams.
• Maintain platform security, performance, availability, and service-level standards.
• Oversee secure connectivity components including VPNs, certificates, network access controls, and segmented network services across offices, data centers, and hybrid environments.
• Improve operational resilience through service management, monitoring, backup, disaster recovery, and ongoing improvements.
• Manage Azure, Microsoft 365, identity, networking, and endpoint platforms ensuring security, compliance, and supportability.
• Handle lifecycles, patching, upgrades, and reduction of technical debt.
• Advocate Infrastructure as Code (IaC), automation, and reusable platform patterns in partnership with delivery teams to optimize integration, reliability, and delivery.
• Manage relationships with vendors, service providers, and technology partners; support budgeting and monitor licensing, cloud consumption, and operational expenses.
• Identify cost optimization opportunities to maximize value.
• Ensure platforms comply with security, governance, and regulatory standards; prioritize addressing technical debt and vulnerabilities.
• Collaborate with Information Security to strengthen controls and security posture.
• Lead platform participation in infrastructure, cloud, and technology transformation programs coordinating cross-functional resources to deliver outcomes within scope, timeframe, and quality requirements.
• Balance strategic project delivery with operational priorities and platform stability.

Candidate Profile

• Experienced technology leader with a values-driven approach managing teams in complex hybrid environments.
• Track record in platform modernization, managing competing priorities, and integrating hybrid environments.
• Extensive knowledge of Azure, Microsoft 365, virtualization, enterprise infrastructure, networking (Aruba, Checkpoint, Veeam), cloud governance, DevOps, automation, and Infrastructure as Code using Terraform.
• Experience with hybrid data center management, enterprise storage platforms, and hardware lifecycle planning.
• Competent in architecture standards, security, compliance, observability, and operational resilience.
• Strong communication skills focused on service excellence, ongoing improvement, and enhancing team performance.
• Commercial acumen with experience in vendor management and major incident handling.
• Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and convert them into effective solutions.
• Desirable experience includes data, analytics, AI platforms, agile methodologies, and service transition.

Employee Benefits

• Wellbeing support including an annual allowance, access to 24/7 nursing consultations, free annual flu shots, fresh fruit availability, and additional leave support as needed.
• Commitment to inclusion and sustainability with cultural capability training, gender and rainbow inclusivity certifications, and Net Zero Carbon accreditation.
• Investment in professional growth through mentoring, leadership development, exposure to experts and varied projects, professional memberships, and funded training tailored to development goals.
• Support during major life events with primary carer salary top-ups for 26 weeks, up to four weeks paid partner leave, back-to-work coaching, and long-service leave.

Why Join Tonkin + Taylor?

Join a supportive, inclusive environment where individual voices and perspectives are valued. We encourage growth, innovation, and impactful work aligned with our core value, 'Everyone Matters'. We welcome all applicants and prioritize care, sound judgement, and continual improvement.