📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Directeur Cloud Center of Excellence (F/H)
Company: Thales
Location: Vélizy-Villacoublay, Île-de-France, France
Job Type: On-site
Category: Cloud Architecture & Strategy
Date Posted: 2025-06-18
Experience Level: 10+ years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

Define and drive the digital transformation strategy for cloud, data, and AI at Thales.
Lead an international team to optimize cloud architectures and ensure compliance with security and regulatory requirements.
Manage a budget of 60 M€ and support teams in implementing innovative solutions and industrializing AI use cases.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define multi-cloud, data, and AI strategies, ensuring data accessibility while respecting sovereignty and cybersecurity concerns.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strategic mindset and strong leadership skills to drive digital transformation across a global organization. Candidates should have a deep understanding of cloud architectures, data governance, and cybersecurity, as well as the ability to influence stakeholders and manage complex projects.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Develop and implement cloud, data, and AI strategies that align with Thales' business objectives and security requirements.
Lead an international team of experts to optimize cloud architectures, ensure compliance, and drive innovation.
Manage a budget of 60 M€ and support teams in implementing and industrializing AI use cases.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to define multi-cloud, data, and AI strategies that balance accessibility, sovereignty, and cybersecurity concerns.
Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the Cloud Center of Excellence.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role involves a high level of strategic decision-making and requires strong leadership and communication skills to drive change across a large organization. Candidates should be comfortable working in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment and have a proven track record of delivering results.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A higher education degree in engineering, business, or a related field with a focus on digital transformation, cloud, or data management.

Experience: Over 15 years of experience in managing complex data/cloud programs, with a strong background in cloud architectures, data governance, and cybersecurity. Proven leadership and communication skills, as well as experience working in international environments.

Required Skills:

Cloud strategy and architecture (multi-cloud)
Data management and governance
AI implementation and industrialization
Cybersecurity and compliance
Leadership and team management
Project management and stakeholder engagement
Budget management and resource allocation
Strategic thinking and operational execution
International collaboration and cultural sensitivity

Preferred Skills:

Experience in a large, global organization
Familiarity with Thales' business and industry
Knowledge of French data protection laws and regulations
Fluency in French and English

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the strategic nature of this role, candidates should have a strong understanding of business strategy, digital transformation trends, and emerging technologies. Experience in a similar role within a large, global organization would be highly desirable.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate a proven track record of driving digital transformation and cloud adoption in a large organization.
Showcase successful cloud architecture projects, highlighting accessibility, sovereignty, and cybersecurity considerations.
Provide examples of AI use cases you've industrialized, emphasizing the balance between innovation and operationalization.
Share experiences in managing complex, international teams and driving strategic change.

Technical Documentation:

Prepare a detailed cloud strategy document outlining your approach to multi-cloud, data, and AI strategies at Thales.
Include case studies of successful cloud architecture and AI industrialization projects, highlighting your leadership and problem-solving skills.
Prepare a presentation on your understanding of Thales' business and how you would drive digital transformation to support its objectives.

📝 Enhancement Note: As this role involves a high level of strategic decision-making, your portfolio should focus on your ability to develop and implement effective strategies, as well as your leadership and communication skills. Include examples of how you've driven change and achieved results in complex environments.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: €60,000,000 (Budget for the Cloud Center of Excellence)

Benefits:

Attractive compensation package
Continuous skill development through training and academies
Inclusive work environment with a focus on work-life balance
Recognized commitment to societal and environmental responsibility

Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the strategic nature of this role, the salary range is provided as a budget for the Cloud Center of Excellence, which the Director will be responsible for managing. The compensation package for the Director will be determined based on their experience and qualifications.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Thales operates in the defense, aerospace, and digital security sectors, providing solutions for critical missions in these domains. The company has a strong focus on innovation and research and development, investing nearly €4 billion annually in these areas.

Company Size: Thales is a large, global organization with approximately 81,000 employees in 68 countries. The Cloud Center of Excellence is part of Thales' Digital & Cybersecurity business, which focuses on developing and delivering secure digital solutions for critical infrastructure and industries.

Founded: Thales was founded in 1893 and has a rich history of innovation and technological leadership in its core markets.

Team Structure:

The Cloud Center of Excellence is an international team responsible for defining and driving Thales' cloud, data, and AI strategies.
The team works closely with internal stakeholders, including business units, IT, and cybersecurity teams, to ensure alignment with Thales' objectives and security requirements.
The Director of the Cloud Center of Excellence reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Digital & Cybersecurity and works closely with other senior leaders within the organization.

Development Methodology:

Thales follows Agile methodologies for software development and project management, with a focus on iterative development, continuous improvement, and customer collaboration.
The Cloud Center of Excellence uses a combination of Agile and traditional project management methodologies to drive strategic initiatives and ensure alignment with business objectives.

Company Website: Thales Group

📝 Enhancement Note: Thales is a large, global organization with a strong focus on innovation and technology. The Cloud Center of Excellence plays a critical role in driving digital transformation across the company, and the Director of this team will be instrumental in shaping Thales' cloud, data, and AI strategies.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Cloud Architecture & Strategy Career Level: This role is a senior leadership position within Thales' digital and cybersecurity business. The Director of the Cloud Center of Excellence is responsible for defining and driving Thales' cloud, data, and AI strategies, working closely with senior leaders across the organization.

Reporting Structure: The Director of the Cloud Center of Excellence reports directly to the Senior Vice President of Digital & Cybersecurity and works closely with other senior leaders within the organization. The team consists of international experts in cloud architecture, data management, AI, and cybersecurity.

Technical Impact: The Director of the Cloud Center of Excellence has a significant impact on Thales' digital transformation efforts, driving strategic change and ensuring that the company's cloud, data, and AI strategies align with its business objectives and security requirements.

Growth Opportunities:

Strategic Influence: As the Director of the Cloud Center of Excellence, you will have the opportunity to shape Thales' cloud, data, and AI strategies and influence senior leaders across the organization.
International Exposure: This role offers the opportunity to work with international teams and stakeholders, providing exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives.
Technical Leadership: As the leader of the Cloud Center of Excellence, you will have the opportunity to develop and mentor team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth opportunities for the right candidate, including the chance to shape Thales' digital transformation strategy, work with international teams, and develop their leadership and technical skills.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Thales' Vélizy-Villacoublay campus is a modern, collaborative work environment equipped with the latest technologies. The campus hosts a diverse range of activities, including aerospace, defense, and civil projects, providing ample opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and learning.

Office Location(s): Vélizy-Villacoublay, Île-de-France, France

Workspace Context:

Collaborative Environment: The campus offers a collaborative work environment, with open-plan offices, meeting rooms, and breakout spaces designed to foster teamwork and innovation.
Technological Infrastructure: Thales provides state-of-the-art technology infrastructure, including high-speed internet, advanced collaboration tools, and secure access to Thales' systems and data.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: The campus hosts a diverse range of activities, providing opportunities for cross-functional collaboration with teams from different business units and functions.

Work Schedule: The standard workweek is 40 hours, with flexibility for project deadlines and maintenance windows. Thales offers a range of flexible work arrangements, including part-time work and remote work, depending on the role and business needs.

📝 Enhancement Note: Thales' Vélizy-Villacoublay campus offers a modern, collaborative work environment with state-of-the-art technology infrastructure. The campus hosts a diverse range of activities, providing ample opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and learning.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Initial Screening: A brief phone or video call to discuss your qualifications, experience, and motivation for the role.
Technical Deep Dive: A comprehensive interview focused on your technical skills, cloud architecture experience, and understanding of Thales' business and industry.
Stakeholder Engagement: Meetings with key stakeholders, including business unit leaders and IT representatives, to discuss your approach to driving digital transformation at Thales.
Final Evaluation: A meeting with the Senior Vice President of Digital & Cybersecurity to discuss your strategic vision and fit within Thales' leadership team.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Strategic Focus: Highlight your strategic approach to cloud architecture and data management, demonstrating your ability to align technology with business objectives.
International Experience: Emphasize your experience working in international environments and collaborating with diverse teams.
Thales Context: Tailor your portfolio to Thales' business and industry, demonstrating your understanding of the company's unique challenges and opportunities.
Leadership and Communication: Showcase your leadership and communication skills, highlighting your ability to drive change and influence stakeholders.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Cloud Architecture Scenarios: Prepare for cloud architecture scenarios that test your ability to design and optimize multi-cloud environments, ensuring accessibility, sovereignty, and cybersecurity.
Data Management and AI: Brush up on your data management and AI skills, demonstrating your ability to industrialize AI use cases and drive innovation within Thales.
Stakeholder Engagement: Practice your stakeholder engagement skills, preparing for discussions on how you would collaborate with business units, IT, and cybersecurity teams to drive digital transformation at Thales.

ATS Keywords: (Organized by category)

Cloud Platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Multi-cloud, Hybrid cloud
Data Management: Data governance, data architecture, data lakes, data warehouses, data pipelines, ETL, ELT
AI & Machine Learning: AI, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, predictive analytics, prescriptive analytics
Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity, information security, data security, compliance, risk management, incident response, secure cloud architecture
Leadership & Communication: Leadership, team management, stakeholder engagement, strategic planning, project management, change management
Industry Terms: Defense, aerospace, digital security, critical infrastructure, critical missions, digital transformation, cloud migration, data-driven decision-making

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess your technical skills, strategic vision, and leadership capabilities. Be prepared to discuss your approach to cloud architecture, data management, and AI, as well as your ability to drive change and collaborate with stakeholders within a large, global organization.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Cloud Platforms:

AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud are the primary cloud platforms used by Thales. The Director of the Cloud Center of Excellence should have experience with multi-cloud environments and be able to design and optimize architectures that balance accessibility, sovereignty, and cybersecurity concerns.

Data Management Tools:

Thales uses a range of data management tools, including data lakes, data warehouses, and data pipelines. The Director of the Cloud Center of Excellence should have experience with data governance, architecture, and integration, as well as ETL and ELT processes.

AI & Machine Learning Tools:

Thales is actively investing in AI and machine learning technologies to drive innovation and improve decision-making. The Director of the Cloud Center of Excellence should have experience with AI and machine learning tools and be able to industrialize use cases within Thales' unique context.

Cybersecurity Tools:

Thales has a strong focus on cybersecurity and compliance. The Director of the Cloud Center of Excellence should have experience with cybersecurity tools and be able to design and implement secure cloud architectures that meet Thales' business and regulatory requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Thales uses a range of cloud, data management, AI, and cybersecurity tools to drive innovation and ensure the security of its critical missions. The Director of the Cloud Center of Excellence should have experience with these tools and be able to design and implement architectures that balance accessibility, sovereignty, and cybersecurity concerns.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Cloud Architecture & Strategy Values:

Innovation: Thales values innovation and encourages its teams to explore new technologies and approaches to drive digital transformation.
Collaboration: Thales fosters a culture of collaboration, encouraging teams to work together to achieve common goals and share knowledge and expertise.
Customer Focus: Thales is committed to understanding and meeting the needs of its customers, ensuring that its cloud, data, and AI strategies support Thales' business objectives and customer requirements.
Security: Thales has a strong focus on security and compliance, ensuring that its cloud, data, and AI strategies meet Thales' business and regulatory requirements.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Thales encourages collaboration between different business units, functions, and teams to drive innovation and ensure that its cloud, data, and AI strategies meet Thales' business objectives and customer requirements.
Knowledge Sharing: Thales fosters a culture of knowledge sharing, encouraging team members to share their expertise and learn from one another.
Continuous Learning: Thales values continuous learning and provides opportunities for team members to develop their skills and advance their careers.

📝 Enhancement Note: Thales' culture is characterized by innovation, collaboration, customer focus, and security. The Director of the Cloud Center of Excellence should embody these values and be able to drive change and influence stakeholders within this context.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Multi-Cloud Architecture: Design and optimize multi-cloud architectures that balance accessibility, sovereignty, and cybersecurity concerns, while ensuring alignment with Thales' business objectives and regulatory requirements.
Data Governance: Develop and implement data governance strategies that ensure data quality, accessibility, and security, while supporting Thales' data-driven decision-making and innovation efforts.
AI Industrialization: Industrialize AI use cases within Thales' unique context, ensuring that AI solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with Thales' business objectives and customer requirements.
Cybersecurity & Compliance: Design and implement secure cloud architectures that meet Thales' business and regulatory requirements, while ensuring accessibility and innovation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Cloud Architecture & Strategy: Develop your skills in cloud architecture and strategy, staying up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices in multi-cloud environments.
Data Management & AI: Enhance your skills in data management and AI, exploring new tools and techniques to drive innovation and improve decision-making within Thales.
Leadership & Communication: Develop your leadership and communication skills, learning how to drive change and influence stakeholders within a large, global organization.
Thales-Specific Knowledge: Gain a deep understanding of Thales' business, industry, and unique challenges, allowing you to tailor your approach to driving digital transformation within the company.

📝 Enhancement Note: The Director of the Cloud Center of Excellence faces significant technical challenges in driving digital transformation at Thales. However, these challenges also present opportunities for growth and development, as the Director works to stay ahead of emerging technologies and best practices in cloud architecture, data management, and AI.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Cloud Architecture: Describe your approach to designing and optimizing multi-cloud architectures, balancing accessibility, sovereignty, and cybersecurity concerns.
Data Management: Explain your approach to data governance, architecture, and integration, and how you would ensure data quality, accessibility, and security within Thales.
AI Industrialization: Discuss your experience with AI industrialization and how you would ensure that AI solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with Thales' business objectives and customer requirements.
Cybersecurity & Compliance: Describe your approach to designing and implementing secure cloud architectures that meet Thales' business and regulatory requirements.

Company & Culture Questions:

Thales Business Context: Explain your understanding of Thales' business and industry, and how you would tailor your approach to driving digital transformation within the company.
Stakeholder Engagement: Describe your approach to engaging with stakeholders, including business units, IT, and cybersecurity teams, to drive digital transformation at Thales.
Thales Values: Discuss how you embody Thales' values, including innovation, collaboration, customer focus, and security, and how you would drive change within the company.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Strategic Focus: Highlight your strategic approach to cloud architecture and data management, demonstrating your ability to align technology with business objectives.
Thales Context: Tailor your portfolio to Thales' business and industry, demonstrating your understanding of the company's unique challenges and opportunities.
Leadership & Communication: Showcase your leadership and communication skills, highlighting your ability to drive change and influence stakeholders within a large, global organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to assess your technical skills, strategic vision, and leadership capabilities. Be prepared to discuss your approach to cloud architecture, data management, and AI, as well as your understanding of Thales' business and industry, and your ability to drive change and collaborate with stakeholders within a large, global organization.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for the Directeur Cloud Center of Excellence (F/H) position at Thales:

Submit Your Application: Click the "Apply" button on the job listing page to submit your application through Workday.
Customize Your Portfolio: Tailor your portfolio to Thales' business and industry, highlighting your strategic approach to cloud architecture and data management, as well as your leadership and communication skills.
Optimize Your Resume: Highlight your relevant experience and skills, emphasizing your ability to drive digital transformation and collaborate with stakeholders within a large, global organization.
Prepare for Technical Challenges: Brush up on your cloud architecture, data management, and AI skills, and prepare for technical scenarios that test your ability to design and optimize multi-cloud environments, ensure data quality and security, and industrialize AI use cases within Thales' unique context.
Research Thales: Gain a deep understanding of Thales' business, industry, and unique challenges, allowing you to tailor your approach to driving digital transformation within the company and engage effectively with stakeholders during the interview process.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions about web development, server administration, and cloud architecture roles. All details should be verified directly with Thales before making application decisions.

Directeur Cloud Center of Excellence (F/H)