Core Platform Specialist

Core Platform Specialist Role based in Leeds - 3 month initial contract (Potential for extension)

Competetive Day Rate

Working within the Core Platforms team, the role of the Specialist is to provide support and delivery of services for the dynamic estate of users across Client Strategic Citrix and Desktop estates to their 14,000 users worldwide.

The role is expected to follow technical strategy, processes and standards. This role primarily covers Citrix technologies (including, but not limited to, Citrix XenApp Solutions, XenServer, Storefront Servers, Provisioning Services, NetScaler load balancing and Access Gateway) as well as its supporting technologies.

Expertise in Citrix packaging, demonstrating and in-depth knowledge of packaging tools, processes and operating system integration techniques advantageous.

Knowledge of Microsoft Windows, VMware, NetApp Storage, Active Directory, and Azure technologies is advantageous.

Responsibilities will include

• Providing technical expertise and guidance to the Core Platform team and key stakeholders regarding desktop virtualisation infrastructure.

• Designing, developing and implementing desktop virtualisation infrastructure

• Implementing client-side project requirements on desktop virtualisation infrastructure

• Ensuring as a team we utilise product efficiently and maximise our investment in virtualisation technologies.

• Creating application packages that are consistently stable, reliable and meet customer requirements within demanding timescales

The role will responsible and accountable for close working relationships with the distributed teams both on and offshore to help develop the CCM function and ensure utilisation of the team is optimal by maximising placement of work and developing skills within the team.

Candidates will work to appropriate techniques and processes to enable effective collaboration, coordination and communication, and is expected to add real value and work effort. 

The points below are not an exhausted list, cover the main aspects of the role:

Main Activities:

• Experienced working in a similar role and fast paced IT environment supporting more than 1500 servers across multiple sites both in the UK and EMEA.

• Must have analytical skills and be able to solve technical problems across different application delivery platforms.

• Must understand the complexities of the virtualised application layer created by App-V and the impact to multi-user platforms.

• Must be a team player and be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.

• Must have a mature attitude and a willingness to assume responsibility.

• Must be able to demonstrate effective communication skills, both written and verbal, to all levels within the organisation.

• Desirable qualifications within the field of expertise. e.g. Citrix, Microsoft.

• Experience with large Citrix deployments and managing applications across these.

• Experience of operating in a PCI compliant environment.

• Able to work in an ITIL Service environment.

• Extensive experience of Group Policy / Preferences and Active Directory.

• Experience of implementing legacy applications into new application delivery platforms.

• Experience in Desktop Imaging tools and techniques. (Eg, SCCM)

• Experience with Azure Cloud.

Key Challenges:

• Identify, analyse, and respond to project risks, pre-empting potential issues and in some cases challenging the design and development community in order to work towards solutions.

• Developing and maintaining applications from various internal and external sources. This will involve tailoring the solution to suit the business and project requirements and ensuring that Industry Standards and legislation are followed.

Decision Making

• Provide feedback on effectiveness of processes and procedures.

• Provide input to projects & Architecture Review Boards for potential solutions.

Key Relationships

• CCM IT Directors

• IT Department Managers

• Architecture team

• Technical Services leads

• Software and Database Development teams

• Business Analysis teams

• Test teams

• Project Management teams

• Subject Matter Experts

• Offshore Testing Teams