Azure Cloud Architect

Azure Cloud Architect at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

As an Azure Cloud Architect, you will provide crucial contributions to shaping the cloud transition and professionalizing the Cloud Platform at VU Amsterdam. You will translate strategic objectives into robust cloud architectures, write high-level designs (HLDs), and advise on workload optimization, security, and compliance.

You will collaborate closely with the Cloud Enablement team (Platform and Automation), CISO, and fellow Solution Architects, acting as a sparring partner for management and other stakeholders.

Jouw taken

• Develop and manage Azure Cloud architecture and roadmaps.
• Translate functional and technical requirements into HLDs.
• Advise on cloud migrations, security, governance, and compliance.
• Standardize and document architecture principles, frameworks, and guidelines.
• Optimize workloads and the Cloud Platform for performance, reliability, and security.
• Collaborate with DevOps and Cloud Engineering teams on solution implementation.
• Identify new developments in Azure and translate them into opportunities for VU Amsterdam.
• Actively contribute to architectural discussions and collaborate with the Enterprise Architect.

Jouw profiel

• Minimum of 3 years of experience as a Cloud / Solution Architect.
• In-depth knowledge of Azure services, cloud architecture, networking, storage, compute, security, and automation.
• Experience with Directory Services, Networking & Security basics.
• Familiarity with Cloud Architecture Frameworks (Cloud Adoption Framework, Well-Architected Framework).
• Experience writing HLDs.
• Strong communicative skills, able to clearly convey knowledge to colleagues.
• Team player, proactive, and analytical.

Certificeringen

Vereist / sterk aanbevolen:

• Demonstrable development as an architect (e.g., ArchiMate & TOGAF).
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305).

Pre / Nice-to-have:

• AZ-104: Azure Administrator Associate.
• AZ-900: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform & Ansible).
• Knowledge of hybrid cloud environments and integration with on-premises systems.
• Knowledge of DevOps principles and CI/CD pipelines.

Wat bieden wij

A challenging position at a socially engaged organization. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research, and services for a better world. And that deserves something in return. Therefore, we offer you:

• A salary of a minimum of € 5,705.00 (Scale 12) and a maximum of € 7,297.00 (Scale 12) gross per month, based on a full-time employment. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
• A position for at least 0.8 FTE. Your employment contract is initially for 1 year.

In addition, we offer attractive secondary employment conditions and arrangements. Some examples:

• For a full-time 38-hour work week, an annual holiday entitlement of 232 hours. If you choose to work 40 hours, you will have 96 extra holiday hours per year. This is calculated pro-rata for part-time appointments.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Hybrid working allows for a good work/life balance.
• Choice model for fiscal exchange of certain employment benefits.
• Contribution to travel costs for commuting.

Over ons

When you start in this role, you will be fully part of the Cloud Enablement team: the team within VU Amsterdam that stands for innovation, collaboration, and security. In an open and inclusive culture, we work together on a secure, stable, and future-proof cloud platform. Hierarchically, you will report to the Team Leader Solution Architecture, actively contributing to the collaboration and consultation structure of this team.

As the IT department, we ensure that researchers, employees, and students can work and study without problems. We facilitate education and research with IT resources, advise on IT products and services, and keep the application landscape up-to-date, ensuring 24/7 availability of the university's IT facilities.

At the same time, our focus is on the digital future: from the smart campus to cybersecurity, from open science to artificial intelligence. With faculties and services, we constantly look ahead: how can we be ready now for the questions of tomorrow? Together, we find new ways to better support VU Amsterdam's ambitions in education, research, and valorization.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for value-driven education and research. We are free thinkers with expertise and an open attitude – a broader mind. With an entrepreneurial approach and attention to diversity, meaning, and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with societal impact.

Key skills/competency

• Cloud Architecture
• Azure Services
• Solution Design
• Security & Compliance
• Cloud Migration
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
• DevOps Principles
• Stakeholder Management
• Roadmap Development
• Performance Optimization