Cloud FinOps Cost Optimization Lead

Braintree - Austin, TX

Full-time - Senior

Austin, TX

Personal and Laundry Services

About the position

The Cloud FinOps Cost Optimization Lead role at PayPal is a strategic and tactical position that focuses on multi-cloud financial management, cloud cost optimization, and the maturation of Cloud FinOps practices. This position is critical in driving cost optimization and capacity planning efforts across various cloud domains, engaging multiple engineering teams to ensure effective end-to-end capacity planning. The role requires a deep understanding of cloud financial management and the ability to analyze data from various sources, including Cloudability and internally developed databases, to provide actionable recommendations and insightful reports. In this role, you will actively participate in all FinOps workstreams across the three major cloud service providers: Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Microsoft Azure. You will be responsible for monitoring and validating the attainment of annual consumption optimization and efficiency targets, as well as budget targets. Financial engineering is a key aspect of this role, where you will apply your knowledge of cloud financial instruments to drive savings in cloud consumption. You will engage with the FinOps team on forecasting, budgeting, and long-term planning efforts, as well as collaborate with cloud service provider account teams to align on financial management and consumption targets. Identifying new cloud cost optimization opportunities and conducting ad-hoc analyses will be part of your responsibilities, along with developing recommendations for financial engineering tasks such as committed use discounts (CUDS), reserved instances (RIs), and savings plans. Additionally, you will own the analysis of FinOps key performance indicators (KPIs), share status updates, and facilitate actions to address any KPI shortfalls. Driving the adoption of Cloud FinOps capabilities and best practices within the organization will be essential, as will managing the program for all work within the Cost Optimization Product backlog.

Responsibilities

• Take active part in all FinOps workstreams across all 3 CSPs (GCP, AWS, Azure)
• Own analysis of data from Cloudability and/or other PayPal data sources, providing actionable recommendations and insightful reports
• Drive standing/planned optimization and efficiency processes, engaging across the PayPal organization including IT Finance
• Monitor and validate attainment of annual Consumption Optimization/Efficiency targets and Budget targets
• Apply knowledge of GCP/AWS/Azure financial instruments to drive savings in cloud consumption
• Engage with FinOps team on Forecast/Budget and long-term planning and Business Case analysis efforts
• Collaborate with CSP account teams to support financial engineering efforts and align on consumption targets
• Identify new Cloud Cost Optimization opportunities and conduct ad-hoc analyses
• Develop Cloud cost optimization action recommendations and financial engineering tasks
• Own FinOps KPI analysis, share status updates, and facilitate actions to address KPI shortfalls
• Drive adoption of Cloud FinOps capabilities and best practices within the organization
• Manage the program for all work within the Cost Optimization Product backlog

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Management Information Systems, Finance or equivalent degree and experience OR equivalent combination of education and relevant experience
• 10+ years relevant experience as an Information Technology or Finance professional managing IT
• 3+ years of demonstrated experience and knowledge in public cloud, specifically GCP and/or AWS
• Extensive experience working with technology teams focused on financial management of IT and cloud assets
• Knowledge of IT infrastructure and public cloud concepts, services, cost models, and deployment approaches
• Experience working with large datasets and developing data-driven models for executive materials
• Ability to establish IT cost management strategies, models, processes, and tools
• Understanding of cloud billing practices and procedures
• Advanced knowledge and skills in Excel and PowerPoint, proven knowledge of Apptio Cloudability (or equivalent)

Nice-to-haves

• Experience using report builders to create data visualizations, including PowerBI
• Scripting skills in Python, BASH, SQL, R, etc.
• AWS, Azure and/or GCP Cloud Certification
• FinOps Practitioner, Cloud Financial Management, Total Business Management or equivalent Certifications
• Experience interacting with senior executives and business leaders

Benefits

• Annual performance bonus or other incentive compensation
• Equity
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits