Title- Cloud FinOps Support SpecialistClient- NOAALocation- Silver Spring, MD5+ year contract1. Position Title & Role SummaryPosition Title: Cloud Financial Operations (FinOps) Support SpecialistRole Summary: The Cloud FinOps Support Specialist is a critical technical-financial functiondedicated to supporting the OAR IT Office and the OAR Cloud Program. This role is responsiblefor the professional execution of financial operations across a multi-cloud ecosystem, includingAmazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), and modernCommercial AI/SaaS providers. The Specialist ensures financial accountability and costtransparency through rigorous invoice reconciliation, proactive cost optimization, and themaintenance of a comprehensive audit trail for the OAR Cloud portfolio.2. Primary Responsibilities: Monthly Invoice Reconciliation & COR SupportThe Specialist manages the end-to-end multi-cloud invoice reconciliation process to ensuretechnical consumption aligns with financial disbursements. The workflow requirements include:1. Intake & Tracking: Receive monthly invoices for cloud consumption and labor. Log alldata into centralized tracking systems, including Google Drive repositories andspecialized spreadsheet trackers.2. Data Organization: Maintain a rigorous documentation hierarchy. All records must becategorized systematically by Service Provider, then by Month, and finally byLab/Program. This includes the management of "Lab-Specific Invoice Folders" to ensurereports are partitioned for correct stakeholder delivery.3. Metadata Validation & Verification: Execute detailed metadata validation bycross-referencing PDF invoice data—specifically the Task Order number and BillingPeriod—against the centralized tracker. Verify invoiced consumption totals againsttechnical usage reports, including Excel-based consumption breakdown files.3. Cost Attribution & Shared Services AllocationThe Specialist implements technical methodologies to ensure precise cost management andback-billing accuracy. This includes: Cost-Allocation Methodology: Utilizing cloud-native tagging and attribution methodsto manage back-billing for individual labs and programs. Best-Effort Allocation Logic: Executing shared services cost allocation acrossmulti-cloud environments. In instances where labs provide insufficient accountinginformation or delayed feedback, the Specialist applies "best-effort" allocation usingfund-aging logic . This involves identifying and utilizing the oldest available funds viaalphabetical project code sequencing (e.g., prioritizing "T" funds over "U" or "V" funds). Balance Management: Maintenance of a "Balance" tracking system to monitorreal-time expenditures against available funds per line of accounting, ensuring thatexpenditures never exceed authorized limits.4. Cost Optimization, Savings Management, & ROIProactive financial management is a core function of the OAR Cloud Program. The Specialist isrequired to: Instrument Evaluation: Continuously evaluate cloud discount instruments, specificallyCompute Savings Plans and Reserved Instances (RIs), to minimize unblended costs. Execution Support: Provide data-driven recommendations and technical assistance toOAR management in the procurement and renewal of these savings instruments. Performance Metrics & Value Reporting: Establish a tracking system for documentedcloud cost savings. This ROI narrative is supported by "Value Added Reports" (e.g.,MTD Net Bill, Average Net Bill, and Highest Service Net Bill) to demonstrate theposition's fiscal impact.5. Reporting, Analytics, & Resource UsageThe Specialist provides deep visibility into cloud spend through multi-dimensional analyticalreporting.Cloud SLA Management Serve as primary point of contact for cloud SLA managementCustom Dashboarding Generate and update customized dashboards and value-addedreports tailored to specific Lab/Program requests. The Specialist ensures these products evolvebased on stakeholder feedback to provide actionable financial insights.Multi-Cloud Drill-Down Analytics Utilize enterprise tools such as Apptio Cloudability orCloudCheckr to provide granular, "drill-down" visibility into consumption. This includes analyzingspend patterns and anomalies across all providers to ensure cost-efficient resource utilization.Modern Resource Tracking Apply specific focus to tracking usage metrics for Commercial AIplatforms and modern SaaS cloud resources. This ensures that emerging technologyexpenditures are integrated into the core infrastructure financial management framework.6. Qualifications & Core CompetenciesRequirementsCloud Management Tools,"Expertise in Apptio Cloudability. Advanced proficiency in native costmanagement consoles (AWS Billing Console, Google Cloud Console, and Azure CostManagement)."FinOps Knowledge,"Comprehensive understanding of FinOps principles, cost optimizationtechniques, and the lifecycle management of Compute Savings Plans and Reserved Instances(RIs)."Documentation,Proficiency in managing complex documentation hierarchies and maintainingcomprehensive audit trails within cloud-based storage environments (Google Drive).Certifications,FinOps Certified Practitioner (Preferred).
Flexible work from home options available.
H & R provides a broad range of technical services that emphasize high level architectural evaluation, design, and planning, information engineering and re-engineering, systems integration for multiple platforms and data sources, and management consulting services focused on better information for business decision making.