Director of Cloud Cost Optimization

📋 Description

• • LucidLink Corporation is seeking a visionary Director of Cloud Cost Optimization to spearhead the development and execution of our cloud cost management strategy. As a rapidly growing, storage-centric SaaS company, our infrastructure expenses represent a significant portion of our Cost of Goods Sold (COGS). This pivotal role is designed to transform cloud costs from a reactive expenditure into a proactive, strategic lever for driving profitable growth and enhancing gross margins. You will be instrumental in building this critical function from the ground up, establishing processes, tools, and a culture of cost awareness across the organization.
• • In this high-impact position, you will own the end-to-end strategy for cloud cost optimization. This encompasses establishing comprehensive visibility into our cost structure, developing accurate forecasting models, driving targeted optimization initiatives in collaboration with engineering and product teams, and leading crucial negotiations with cloud and infrastructure vendors. Your success will be directly tied to tangible, sustainable improvements in our financial performance, specifically measured by gross margin enhancement and cost savings.
• • You will operate within the Engineering department but will collaborate extensively across the entire organization. This requires a unique blend of technical understanding and business acumen, enabling you to communicate effectively with engineers, finance professionals, and executive leadership. A key aspect of this role involves influencing priorities and driving change without direct managerial authority, relying on data-driven insights, strategic recommendations, and strong interpersonal skills to achieve objectives.
• • The mission of this role is to ensure that as LucidLink scales, our cloud infrastructure remains efficient and cost-effective, directly contributing to improved profitability. You will be responsible for developing and implementing a robust COGS optimization capability that delivers significant gross margin improvements. This involves a deep dive into our current cost structure, identifying key drivers of expenditure, and implementing strategies to reduce waste and increase efficiency.
• • Key responsibilities will include:
• • Developing and maintaining a comprehensive cloud cost visibility dashboard, providing trusted insights into our spending patterns and trends.
• • Identifying, prioritizing, and executing cost optimization opportunities across our cloud infrastructure, including compute, storage, networking, and other services.
• • Collaborating closely with DevOps and Engineering teams to implement cost-saving measures, architectural adjustments, and best practices for resource utilization.
• • Partnering with the Finance team to refine budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting related to cloud infrastructure costs.
• • Leading strategic negotiations with cloud providers and other infrastructure vendors to secure favorable pricing and terms, ensuring maximum value for LucidLink.
• • Establishing a regular operating rhythm for COGS management, including monthly reviews, performance tracking, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• • Embedding cost awareness and accountability into engineering and product development decisions, fostering a culture where cost efficiency is a key consideration.
• • Defining and tracking key metrics such as gross margin improvement, realized cost savings, unit cost efficiency (e.g., cost per TiB, cost per customer), and forecast accuracy.
• • Educating stakeholders across the organization on cloud cost management principles and best practices.
• • Staying abreast of emerging cloud technologies, cost optimization techniques, and vendor offerings to identify new opportunities for savings.
• • This role offers a unique opportunity to build a function from the ground up, defining its scope, processes, and impact. You will have direct interaction with executive leadership, including the CFO and CEO, and will be involved in board-level reporting. The position is remote, allowing you to work from anywhere in the United States, with occasional international travel required to foster global team collaboration. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for data, a knack for negotiation, and a proven ability to drive financial improvements in a fast-paced, hyper-growth environment, we encourage you to apply.