Cloud Architect

Talent; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent in London is seeking an experienced Cloud Architect to lead target-state architecture, governance, and modernization of our Azure and hybrid enterprise environments. You will drive high-impact initiatives across cloud infrastructure, security, networking, and AI technologies.

You will serve on the Technology Design Authority, shape roadmaps, review ADRs, and ensure architectural standards. The role requires strong Terraform, Entra ID security, and collaboration with engineering and

Qualifications

• Deep experience delivering Azure/hybrid enterprise solutions.
• Experience in regulated environments is advantageous.
• Proven ability to drive architecture governance and ADRs.

Responsibilities

• Define reference architectures, landing zones, and reusable patterns using IaC (Terraform) and Azure DevOps.
• Architect guardrails using Entra ID, Defender, and Sentinel for Zero Trust and security posture.
• Oversee secure integration across on-premises, cloud, and SaaS with Cisco and Zscaler.
• Establish HA, DR, backup patterns to meet resilience requirements.
• Participate in Technology Design Authority, assess technical debt, and maintain ADRs.
• Build roadmaps, evaluate AI-related services, and guide cloud migration and modernization programs.

Skills

Azure landing zones

Terraform

Azure DevOps

Entra ID security

Defender/Sentinel

Governance/ADR

Hybrid architecture

Cloud security

Tools

Terraform

Azure DevOps

Entra ID

Defender

Sentinel

Azure

Cisco

Zscaler

Job description

• Rate: Inside IR35
• Clearance: Basic BPSS

Job Description

• Role: Cloud Architect
• Contract Duration: 6 months (Initial)
• Location: London (Hybrid: 2-3 days per week on-site)
• Rate: Inside IR35
• Clearance: Basic BPSS

About The Role

We are seeking an experienced Cloud Architect to lead the target-state architecture, governance, and modernisation of our Microsoft Azure and hybrid enterprise environments. You will play a pivotal role on the Technology Design Authority, driving high-impact initiatives across cloud infrastructure, security, networking, and emerging AI technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Azure and Hybrid Architecture: Define reference architectures, landing zones, management groups, and reusable patterns. Steer Infrastructure as Code (Terraform) and automated delivery via Azure DevOps.
• Security and Zero Trust: Architect robust technical guardrails using Entra ID (PIM, RBAC, Conditional Access), Microsoft Defender, Sentinel, Azure Firewall, Key Vault, and encryption standards.
• Hybrid and Network Connectivity: Oversee secure integration across on-premises, cloud, and SaaS platforms using Cisco, Zscaler, private connectivity, and advanced network segmentation.
• Resilience and DR: Establish patterns for high availability, replication, backup, and disaster recovery to meet strict operational resilience requirements.
• Architecture Governance: Serve as a key member of the Technology Design Authority (TDA), assuring design alignment, assessing technical debt, and maintaining Architecture Decision Records (ADRs).
• Strategy and Innovation: Build technology roadmaps, evaluate emerging services (including AI integration), and guide cloud migration and modernisation programmes.

Key Requirements

• Experience in regulated environments (e.g., Financial Services) is highly advantageous.
• Extensive experience as a Cloud Architect delivering enterprise-scale Microsoft Azure and hybrid solutions.
• Deep technical expertise in Azure landing zones, core hybrid services (Active Directory, DNS, PKI), and IaC tooling (Terraform).
• Strong background in Zero Trust security architecture and Microsoft security tooling (Entra ID, Defender, Sentinel).
• Proven track record on Design Authority / Governance boards, providing technical assurance for major transformation programmes

£650.00 - £700.00 / day