Relationship Manager Cloud

The Cloud Relationship Manager we are looking for will coordinate between customers, SURF, and the suppliers of SURFcumulus. You will assist institutions with cloud adoption and optimization, as well as with any exit scenarios. You will also advise on SURFcumulus services that an institution does not yet use.

Where you will work

SURF is the ICT cooperative for Dutch educational and research institutions. Together with them, we work on digital services and complex innovation challenges to enhance the quality of education and research.

Working at SURF means working for a unique and open organization. This is evident in everything: the structure of the organization, the setup of the project teams, the culture in our offices, and the atmosphere among colleagues. SURF offers excellent terms of employment and takes a flexible approach to work/life balance. Employees enjoy working independently. In addition, everyone is given the space and freedom to use and develop their talents as effectively and broadly as possible.

The team you will join

You will be working in the SURFcumulus team. This team was developed in collaboration with the institutions and offers them the opportunity to make legitimate use of cloud services without having to issue their own tenders. SURFcumulus is the standard delivery model for cloud services to institutions. All institutions that use cloud services purchase them through SURFcumulus. In addition, additional services are offered to make the transition to the cloud, its use, and management easier. We are the institutions' trusted advisor!

Cloud = Change. Our team works closely with suppliers and institutions to ensure that we continue to adapt our services to the cloud strategy of education and research institutions. Our motto is ‘driving innovation together’. Everyone has a say in this.

What you will do

As part of the SURF Cloud team, you will work on SURFcumulus, which we use to provide public cloud services from the Netherlands, Europe, and the US to institutions. As part of the Cloud team, you will ensure that the quality, security, and legitimacy of these services are guaranteed not only on paper, but also in daily practice. You will work closely with suppliers and institutions and ensure that cloud environments are carefully set up, with attention to roles, rights, GDPR, and security measures.

You will get to know the various cloud providers and their platforms well and actively build a network with faculties and central IT departments of universities and university medical centers. With your proactive attitude, you will provide solicited and unsolicited advice and help institutions to use cloud platforms effectively and responsibly. You will be the link between cloud providers and institutions and translate questions and ambitions into concrete follow-up steps, with SURF acting as a trusted advisor. In light of geopolitical developments, you will advise on flexibility and digital sovereignty, appropriate to the academic context.

You work independently, take initiative, and largely determine your own priorities. We offer flexibility in where and when you work (at home and/or at the office) and expect you to show ownership in your work and collaboration.

What else you will be doing

• Identifying and translating the cloud needs of institutions at a tactical and strategic level;
• Periodically coordinating with institutions on the ambitions, planning, and added value of SURFcumulus
• Acting as an intermediary, mediator, and escalation point between institutions and suppliers .
• Organizing architecture sessions and information meetings for institutions in the orientation phase;
• Advising on sovereign cloud solutions and flexibility within the current geopolitical playing field.
• Coordinating training needs and organizing training courses and workshops.

Your skills and experience

• Higher professional education (HBO) or university education (WO) level of working and thinking
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience
• Experience with and enthusiasm for public IaaS services.
• Experience with supplier management
• Independent go-getter with a results-oriented approach who does not lose sight of the higher goal for our institutions
• Team player with good communication skills and persuasiveness
• Strong networking and relationship skills
• Good command of the Dutch language

With this vacancy an assessment can be part of the selection procedure.

Prior to starting this job, a VOG must be presented.

SURF takes pleasure in doing its recruitment itself; acquisition is therefore not appreciated.