Platforms Lead

About Tonkin + Taylor

Tonkin + Taylor is a leading engineering and environmental consultancy in New Zealand, known for its technical expertise in addressing complex challenges. As an employee-owned company, its mission focuses on creating and maintaining a better world.

Role Overview

The Platforms Lead role involves guiding the advancement of Tonkin + Taylor's core technology platforms, which include cloud and on-premises infrastructure, Microsoft 365, identity and networking systems, DevOps and EUC platforms, as well as operational tools.

This leadership position combines hands-on technical involvement with strong focus on delegation, coordination across teams, governance, prioritization, and mentoring. The Platforms Lead will oversee Infrastructure and Platform engineers in delivering secure, scalable, reliable, and cost-efficient platforms supporting business operations, transformation initiatives, and innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the operational lifecycle, roadmaps, and ongoing enhancement of enterprise technology platforms.
• Lead the evolution of hybrid infrastructure, transforming strategic plans into standards and actionable delivery frameworks.
• Ensure services are secure, dependable, scalable, and affordable.
• Oversee platform architecture, solution design, and engineering standards; lead review of major technical decisions and complex projects.
• Delegate effectively, coach engineering specialists, and provide technical leadership.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Infrastructure and Platform Engineers to build a high-performing, collaborative, and client-oriented team.
• Enhance team expertise in cloud, infrastructure automation, and emerging tech.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within platform teams.
• Maintain security, performance, availability, and service-level agreements for platforms.
• Manage secure network connectivity, VPNs, certificates, access control, and segmented network services across office, data center, and hybrid setups.
• Improve operational resilience through service management practices, including monitoring, backups, disaster recovery, and continuous enhancement.
• Administer Azure, Microsoft 365, identity systems, networking hardware, and endpoint platforms ensuring secure, compliant, and maintainable environments.
• Oversee lifecycle management including patches, upgrades, and addressing technical debt.
• Advocate Infrastructure as Code (IaC), automation, and reusable platform patterns to improve deployment and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with delivery teams to enhance integration, reliability, and delivery outcomes.
• Manage vendor relationships, suppliers, service providers, and monitor financial aspects such as budgeting, licensing, cloud usage, and costs, identifying opportunities for optimization.
• Ensure platforms comply with security, governance, and regulatory standards; prioritize remediation of vulnerabilities and technical debt.
• Work with Information Security teams to strengthen controls and the organization's security posture.
• Lead platform contributions to cloud, infrastructure, and technology transformation programs, ensuring delivery meets timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Balance strategic platform delivery with operational priorities and stable service management.

Candidate Profile

• Experienced technology leader with a values-driven approach managing teams in complex hybrid infrastructure environments.
• Successful track record in driving platform modernization, balancing multiple priorities, and integrating hybrid environments.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Azure, Microsoft 365, virtualization, enterprise infrastructure, networking (including Aruba, Checkpoint, Veeam), cloud governance, DevOps, automation, and IaC tools like Terraform.
• Skilled in managing hybrid data center setups, enterprise storage solutions, and hardware lifecycle planning.
• Proficient in establishing architecture standards, security compliance, observability, and operational resilience.
• Clear and practical communicator focused on delivering excellent service, continuous improvement, and fostering high team performance.
• Experience managing vendor relationships, commercial aspects, and handling major incidents.
• Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and translate them into practical applications.
• Desirable qualifications include experience with data analytics, AI platforms, agile methodologies, and service transition processes.

Benefits

• Support for wellbeing including an annual allowance, 24/7 free nurse consultations, flu vaccinations, fresh fruit provision, and additional leave options.
• Inclusive and sustainable work environment featuring cultural capability training, accessible work practices, accredited gender and rainbow inclusivity, and commitment to Net Zero Carbon.
• Investment in career growth through mentoring, leadership development, exposure to diverse experts and projects, professional memberships, and sponsored training aligned to individual goals.
• Support through major life events with primary carer salary top-ups for 26 weeks, partner leave up to 4 weeks, return-to-work coaching, and long-service leave options.

Additional Information

Tonkin + Taylor values collaboration, innovation, and impact, embodying the core value that “Everyone Matters.” The company is an accredited employer committed to diversity and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds.