Cloud Platforms Capability Lead

Join Kainos and Shape the Future

At Kainos, we’re problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators - driven by a shared mission to create real impact. Whether we’re transforming digital services for millions, delivering cutting-edge Workday solutions, or pushing the boundaries of technology, we do it together.

We believe in a people-first culture, where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your contributions truly make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of a diverse, ambitious team that celebrates creativity and collaboration.

Ready to make your mark? Join us and be part of something bigger.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE BUSINESS:

As Platforms Capability Lead, you'll shape this direction for one of Kainos' most strategically important capabilities. You'll own our service strategy, defining what we offer, to whom, and the outcomes it delivers. You will keep it coherent and commercially relevant across every sector and region as you own the capability strategy and sponsor the practices that underpin quality delivery. You will evolve services through proven innovation and not theory, proving the value of those changes directly with clients. As AI continues to reshape platform engineering and operations, you'll play a leading role in defining how the capability adapts, innovates and creates value for clients. You'll also build strong relationships with clients, partners and industry communities, raising Kainos' profile through thought leadership and innovation.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for someone with deep platform expertise and a passion for developing people. You'll combine strategic leadership, technical credibility and commercial awareness to support delivery, sales and capability growth, working with senior clients, technology partners and business leaders to shape how platform engineering evolves in an AI-first world. Most importantly, you'll create an environment where talented people can thrive, grow their careers and deliver their best work. As platforms take on a bigger role, the people who shape them matter more, not less.

Your Key Responsibilities Will Include

• Setting and evolving a capability strategy that drives thought leadership, innovation, talent development and growth, informed by market understanding and aligned to Sector and wider BU strategies.
• Defining and maintaining Services and Accelerators aligned to Sector needs, ensuring supporting collateral remains reusable and is consistently recognised internally and externally for quality and impact.
• Delivering external thought leadership and building the profile of the capability.
• Proactively aligning capability support to Sector-led pursuits and sales, ensuring credibility, relevance and senior advisor input for existing and prospective clients.
• Building and sustaining strong, trusted relationships with senior and C-level stakeholders across Kainos, our client base and industry forums.
• Shaping and sustaining the capability's long-term talent and skills strategy, supporting a strong and diverse pipeline aligned to Sector demand and future business needs.
• Working in partnership with BU Operational and Talent Acquisition teams to deliver workforce plans that ensure appropriate capacity and capability exist within the business, aligned to current and future Sector and industry trends.
• Setting direction and priorities for capability-wide learning, development and skills uplift, ensuring the capability continues to evolve in line with market, sector and technology trends.
• Fostering a strong sense of professional identity, belonging and engagement within the capability, promoting continuous improvement, knowledge sharing and role model leadership.
• Defining and advocating for the effective implementation of standards, patterns, methodologies and best practices that support delivery quality and assurance.
• Evolving capability services, best practices and associated skills to adopt a progressive AI-first approach aligned to Sector and BU strategies.
• Identifying and managing capability risks and succession plans, implementing mitigation measures where possible and escalating to the BU or Company risk register when appropriate.