HPC Services Team Leader

Viridien ( www.viridiengroup.com ) is an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company that pushes the boundaries of science for a more prosperous and sustainable future. With our ingenuity, drive and deep curiosity we discover new insights, innovations, and solutions that efficiently and responsibly resolve complex natural resource, digital, energy transition and infrastructure challenges.

Job Summary

We are looking for a HPC Services Team Leader to join our global HPC team!

Reporting to the Data Centre Manager, you will take on a key leadership role within our HPC and Cloud environment, providing direction and leadership to the team while driving the continued development of our DevOps capabilities and transition from traditional IT Operations towards a more Agile way of working.

You will be responsible for setting clear direction, driving performance and building capability across the team, creating an environment of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement. Through coaching, mentoring and the promotion of best practices, you will develop existing staff, strengthen technical capability and enable the team to take greater ownership of operational and technical outcomes.

As a leader, you will provide leadership across HPC and Cloud operations, helping to shape priorities, streamline ways of working and ensure the reliable operation and continued evolution of our technology infrastructure. You will use your technical credibility not only to solve complex challenges, but also to empower others, influence decisions and provide clear leadership.

You will also play an important role in bringing teams and stakeholders together, building effective relationships across technical and business functions and creating alignment around shared objectives. We are looking for a leader who can balance strong technical understanding with people leadership, operational accountability and stakeholder influence, translating business needs into clear priorities and ensuring the team is focused on delivering meaningful outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead and develop a high-performing HPC Services team, driving accountability, capability development and continuous improvement.
- Strengthen cross-functional working by improving communication, knowledge sharing and coordination across technical disciplines.
- Set clear objectives, service expectations and measurable priorities, monitoring performance and addressing barriers to reliable delivery.
- Coach and mentor team members through regular one-to-ones, performance reviews and Individual Development Plans, strengthening capability, confidence and ownership.
- Provide visible and accountable leadership, setting clear standards for behaviour, collaboration, service delivery and operational ownership.
- Lead the team confidently through organisational and technical change, communicating direction clearly, gaining commitment and embedding new ways of working.
- Make timely, evidence-based decisions, manage competing priorities and risks, and escalate issues appropriately to protect service performance and delivery.
- Promote an inclusive and supportive team culture where people are empowered to contribute ideas, challenge constructively and take ownership of outcomes.
- Streamline operational processes, maintenance activities and working practices through standardisation, automation and Agile methods.
- Ensure the stability, availability and performance of HPC and Cloud platforms, providing third-line technical support and driving infrastructure improvements.
- Build trusted relationships across technical and business functions, translating client and organisational needs into clear priorities and effective technical solutions.
- Support the Data Centre Manager with day-to-day operations while ensuring operational tools and maintenance models remain efficient, reliable and fit for purpose.

Qualification

- Degree in any of the following disciplines: Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Computer Information Systems or related computing subjects.

Key Skills & Experience

Essential

- 1 – 3 years of leadership experience.
- Minimum of five years’ experience in relevant fields.
- Extensive levels of Linux administration, preferably in an HPC environment
- Good experience with Agile Project Management
- Knowledge in FAI, Puppet, Ansible and Zabbix
- ITIL Foundation level certification
- Fast and effective problem-solving skills and a methodical approach to work
- An enthusiastic attitude towards learning and flexibility to adapt to new challenges or changes in direction
- The ability to define and manage project deadlines
- Effective communication

Desirable

- High level DevOps methodologies understanding
- Knowledge of some of the following: OpenStack, Kubernetes, CI/CD, Docker, etc.
- Scripting and automation
- Cloud administration experience
- Virtualization knowledge and experience
- Experience in hardware maintenance (Storage/CPU/GPU)

Why work with us?

- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Highly attractive bonus scheme
- Initial 22 days annual leave with future increases, complemented by a flexible buying and selling holiday program
- Company pension with generous employer contribution
- Wellbeing Unmind app – puts you in control of your mental health
- A flexible benefits platform with numerous discount schemes - gym membership, restaurants, cinema tickets, and much more!
- Regular social club events, spontaneous reward events throughout the year
- Cycle purchase scheme
- Flexible Private Medical & Dental care programmes
- Sponsorship of visas/comprehensive relocation packages
- Bank Holiday Swap - our holiday swap program allows you to change it for another day of your choice!
- Relaxed dress code policy
- Onsite Gym Facilities

Learning and Development

At Viridien, we foster a culture of continuous learning and provide tailored training programs through our Learning Hub, designed to enhance technical, commercial, and personal growth.

We Care about the Environment

We encourage and actively support a strong sense of community, through volunteering and various company initiatives, as well as a strong company commitment to protecting our environment through sustainable solutions, energy saving and waste reduction enterprises.

Our Hiring Process

At Viridien, we are committed to delivering a respectful, inclusive, and transparent recruitment experience.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to provide individual feedback to every applicant. Only candidates whose qualifications closely match the role criteria will be contacted for an interview. We do, however, aim to share personalized feedback with those who progress to the first round of interviews and beyond.

We are also dedicated to ensuring that our hiring process accessible to all. If you require any reasonable adjustments to fully participate in the application or interview stages, please don’t hesitate to contact your recruiter directly.

We see things differently. Diversity fuels our innovation, we value the unique ways in which we differ, and we are committed to equal employment opportunities for all professionals.