Platforms, Networking & Cloud Lead

At Thorntons Law, every moment matters. Join us as our Platforms, Networking & Cloud Lead and you’ll feel inspired. You’ll feel connected. You’ll feel like you belong. And it all begins from the moment you join us.

That’s because we’ve created a different kind of law firm. Here, you’ll build relationships with clients and colleagues that really last. You’ll help shape what happens now, and what comes next.

And we’ll support and encourage you to be the best you can be.

This is what life at Thorntons is all about. And this is your moment to be part of it.

About the role

At Thorntons, technology provides the foundation for everything we do. As our Platforms, Networking & Cloud Lead, you’ll play a key role in ensuring that foundation is secure, resilient, reliable and ready to support the firm’s future.

As the firm’s senior technical specialist across hosting, server operations, Microsoft Azure, private cloud, hyperconverged infrastructure, colocation and modern networking, you’ll provide expert technical leadership across some of our most critical technology services.

Working closely with the Infrastructure & Cyber Security Manager, IT colleagues, senior stakeholders and technology partners, you’ll combine hands‑on technical expertise with strategic thinking to shape our platforms, manage risk and ensure our infrastructure continues to meet the evolving needs of the firm.

You’ll have the opportunity to influence how we develop and modernise our technology environment, while leading a team and building technical capability and knowledge across the organisation.

It’s about:

• Platform Engineering & Operations – leading the operation and continual improvement of hosting, servers, storage, virtualisation and wider platform services; ensuring they remain available, performant, secure, well maintained and properly documented.
• Cloud & Infrastructure – designing, planning, building and maintaining infrastructure across Microsoft Azure, private cloud, hyperconverged and colocation environments; supporting cloud adoption, modernisation and transitions between different hosting models.
• Networking & Secure Connectivity – providing senior technical leadership across LAN, WAN, WLAN, remote access, SD-WAN, segmentation, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and other modern networking technologies.
• Resilience & Problem Solving – leading advanced troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex infrastructure incidents, driving practical, lasting solutions and continually improving the resilience and reliability of our services.
• Security, Risk & Assurance – identifying and reducing platform, cloud and networking risks; supporting cyber resilience, business continuity and disaster recovery; and reviewing technical designs, changes and risk assessments to ensure strong standards and controls are maintained.
• Performance, Capacity & Lifecycle Management – analysing technical performance, capacity, resilience, cost and lifecycle position to ensure our platforms remain fit for purpose, supportable and cost-effective.
• Supplier & Commercial Management – constructively challenging supplier recommendations where they introduce unnecessary cost, complexity or risk; while supporting procurement, budgeting, renewals, supplier performance and value for money decisions.
• Technical Strategy & Change – supporting IT leadership with technology planning and wider change programmes, assessing feasibility, risk, cost, resourcing and operational readiness across platform, networking and cloud services.
• Leadership & Knowledge Sharing – coaching and developing colleagues, leading knowledge transfer and insourcing initiatives, and building internal technical capability through mentoring, documentation and practical guidance.

What you’ll need

• Significant hands‑on experience in senior technical roles covering platform engineering, hosting, server operations, cloud and networking, ideally within a complex enterprise environment.
• Deep practical knowledge of Microsoft Azure, hybrid and private cloud environments, server and desktop virtualisation, storage, backup, disaster recovery and hyperconverged infrastructure, alongside strong enterprise networking expertise including routing, switching, firewalls, segmentation, SD-WAN and remote access.
• A good understanding of Zero Trust principles, ZTNA, cloud networking and modern secure access technologies such as Secure Service Edge.
• The confidence and ability to act independently as a senior technical advisor on complex, non‑routine or sensitive issues, using sound judgement to assess options, risks and recommendations.
• Experience reviewing, challenging and assuring work delivered by managed service providers, cloud providers and implementation partners, with the ability to balance technical requirements, risk, cost, supportability and long‑term value.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to assess technical risk, resilience, performance, capacity and lifecycle position and turn this into clear, evidence‑based recommendations.
• Strong communication, stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and explain complex technical matters clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Someone who brings technical expertise, curiosity, sound judgement, leadership and a genuine sense of ownership, with experience supporting technology planning, lifecycle management, budgeting, procurement, supplier performance and continuous service improvement.

Why this role

• Shape our technology future – play a leading role in developing and modernising the infrastructure that supports the firm.
• Work with modern technology – gain exposure to Microsoft Azure, hybrid and private cloud, hyperconverged infrastructure and modern networking and secure access technologies. Make a visible impact – your leadership will directly influence the success of projects that shape the future of Thorntons.
• Make a real impact – your expertise will directly influence the reliability, resilience, security and performance of the services our people depend on every day.
• Lead and influence – work closely with IT leadership, senior stakeholders and specialist suppliers, with the opportunity to challenge and improve existing approaches.
• Build technical capability – develop your team, share knowledge and help strengthen our internal engineering expertise.
• Solve meaningful challenges – take ownership of complex technical problems and deliver solutions that improve performance, resilience, security and value for the firm.

What we offer

We offer much more than just a competitive salary, and we’re committed to looking after our people in every way. Here’s just some of the benefits available:

• 39 Days Annual Leave (includes 5 fixed public holidays)
• Contributory Pension Scheme with salary exchange
• Private Medical Insurance
• Critical Illness Cover
• Income Protection Cover
• Group Life Assurance
• Exceptional maternity, paternity, partner and adoption leave packages
• Health care cash plan to support everyday health expenses
• Free Legal fees for moving home and life planning
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Retail Discounts
• Hybrid Working

Access to a wide range of opportunities to build your expertise and advance your career, through courses, specialist accreditations, training, or business skills development.

Belonging

At Thorntons, we embrace diversity and are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

As a Disability Confident employer, we want to ensure that everyone has a positive experience when applying to join us. If you have a disability or are neurodivergent and need any adjustments during the recruitment process, just let us know — we’ll do everything we can to support you.

We work flexibly to meet the needs of our clients and our people. While not every role is the same, most offer a hybrid working pattern. We’ll work with you to agree the right arrangement that supports you, the role, and our clients.

Make the moment matter

If you’re ready to lead the technology platforms that keep a modern law firm moving, this is the moment to take your next step.