Azure Cloud Architect

GCS; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 83,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

GCS is seeking a Lead Platform Cloud Architect to shape enterprise-scale cloud platforms and modernisation across a complex global environment. The role is hybrid in the UK (Sheffield or Birmingham) and contract Inside IR35, offering leadership across platform engineering and architecture teams.

You will drive cloud adoption, specify guidelines, and translate business needs into scalable technical solutions, while ensuring security, compliance, and governance.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in Cloud/Platform/Enterprise Architecture roles.
• Strong expertise in Microsoft Azure and cloud-native technologies.
• Experience delivering large-scale infrastructure or cloud transformation programmes.
• Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code (Terraform preferred).
• CI/CD and DevOps practices.
• IAM and RBAC concepts.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication.
• Experience in complex, enterprise-scale environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop enterprise-scale cloud architectures.
• Create cloud modernisation roadmaps aligned with strategy.
• Lead infrastructure design across compute, networking, storage, security, and containers.
• Provide architectural governance and policy compliance.
• Engage senior stakeholders to translate requirements.
• Develop reusable architecture patterns and practices.
• Support cloud adoption and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, security, and delivery teams.
• Produce architecture documentation and roadmaps.
• Contribute to incident resolution and provide expert guidance.

Skills

Cloud Architecture

Azure

Terraform

CI/CD

Security & IAM

RBAC

Stakeholder Management

Enterprise Architecture

Tools

Azure DevOps

Git

Kubernetes

Job description

Lead Platform Cloud Architect

Sheffield or Birmingham (Hybrid) | Contract Inside IR35

Are you an experienced Cloud Architect looking to shape enterprise-scale cloud platforms and drive modernisation across a complex global environment?

We are seeking a Lead Platform Cloud Architect to play a key role in designing, evolving, and governing cloud solutions that enable business transformation and innovation. This is an opportunity to work on large-scale cloud initiatives, influence technology strategy, and collaborate with senior stakeholders across business and technology functions.

The Role

As a Lead Platform Cloud Architect, you will be responsible for defining and delivering cloud architecture solutions, ensuring alignment with business objectives, security standards, and operational requirements. You will lead cloud adoption initiatives, establish best practices, and provide technical leadership across platform engineering and architecture communities.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop enterprise-scale cloud architectures and platform solutions.
• Create cloud modernisation roadmaps aligned with business and technology strategies.
• Lead the design of infrastructure solutions covering compute, networking, storage, security, identity, and container platforms.
• Provide architectural governance and ensure compliance with technology standards and policies.
• Engage with senior stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into scalable technical solutions.
• Develop and promote reusable architecture patterns and best practices.
• Support cloud adoption, innovation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, security, and delivery teams to ensure successful implementation of solutions.
• Produce high-quality architecture documentation, decision records, and technical roadmaps.
• Contribute to incident resolution and provide expert guidance for complex technical challenges.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience in Cloud Architecture, Platform Architecture, or Enterprise Architecture roles.
• Strong expertise in Microsoft Azure and cloud-native technologies.
• Experience delivering large-scale infrastructure or cloud transformation programmes.
• Solid understanding of: Infrastructure as Code (Terraform preferred)
• CI/CD and DevOps practices
• Identity & Access Management (IAM) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
• Networking, Security, Compute, and Storage technologies
• Container platforms and modern cloud operating models
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Experience working within complex, enterprise-scale environments.
• Knowledge of security, risk, compliance, and governance frameworks.
• Ability to influence technical direction and guide cross-functional teams.

Desirable Experience

• Azure AI Services
• Power Platform
• Databricks
• Cloud or Architecture certifications (e.g., Azure Architect, TOGAF)
• Experience within regulated industries such as Financial Services, Insurance, Utilities, or Government

What We're Looking For

You are a strategic thinker with a hands-on technical background who can bridge the gap between business objectives and technology solutions. You thrive in collaborative environments, enjoy solving complex challenges, and are passionate about driving cloud innovation at scale.

If you're ready to lead cloud transformation initiatives and make a significant impact within a forward-thinking technology organisation, we'd love to hear from you.