Cloud Architect / Solutions Architect / Devops Architect

Sky UK; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading telecommunications company in the UK is seeking a Lead Solution Architect to define and lead their enterprise architecture strategy. This role involves designing integration patterns across cloud platforms and serving as a trusted advisor to senior business leaders. Candidates should possess extensive experience, particularly in product-centric environments, along with deep expertise in enterprise integration and hybrid architectures. The position requires strong leadership and mentorship skills, along with proficiency in AWS or Azure.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in a Lead Solution Architect or similar role.
• Proven track record in product-centric architectural transformation.
• Deep expertise in hybrid architecture and enterprise integration.
• Hands-on experience with major cloud platforms.
• Strong leadership capabilities guiding teams through change.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the enterprise architecture strategy.
• Design and govern integration patterns across cloud platforms.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on product strategy.
• Lead initiatives to transition to product-aligned operating models.
• Ensure non-functional requirements are integral to design.

Skills

Leadership

Enterprise Integration

API-first architecture

Cloud Platforms

Microservices

Communication Skills

Mentorship

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Architectural Vision & Strategy Define and lead the enterprise architecture strategy to enable the shift from stack-centric IT to a product-led, outcome-driven model. Establish a clear architectural vision aligned with business objectives, customer experience goals, and operational scalability.

Integration Leadership Design and govern integration patterns across modern cloud platforms, distributed retail/wholesale sites, and IBM i-series (AS/400) systems. Drive legacy modernisation by exposing core enterprise capabilities (pricing, inventory, fulfilment) through APIs and event-driven interfaces.

Strategic Influence & Leadership Act as a trusted advisor to senior technology and business leaders, shaping product strategy through architecture. Align multiple teams and stakeholders across business units, ensuring consistency while enabling innovation. Define and embed architecture principles, standards, and guardrails to support autonomous product teams.

Transformation Enablement Lead initiatives to transition delivery teams from project-based, technology stack-focused approaches to product-aligned operating models. Develop scalable architectural patterns and platforms that accelerate delivery, reduce technical friction, and support evolving business needs.

Operational & Technical Excellence Ensure non-functional requirements – security, observability, resilience, and performance – are integral to product and platform design. Oversee architectural governance that facilitates delivery rather than constrains it.

Mentorship & Community Building Mentor solution architects and senior engineers, raising organisational architectural maturity. Play a key role in architecture forums, communities of practice, and design reviews.

About You

• Extensive experience as a Lead Solution Architect, Principal Architect, or similar leadership role in a product-centric or hybrid enterprise environment.
• Proven track record of driving architectural transformation from stack/project-centric models to product- and outcome-driven architectures.
• Deep expertise in enterprise integration and hybrid architecture, including IBM i-series (AS/400) and distributed retail/wholesale operations.
• Strong knowledge of modern paradigms: domain-driven design, event-driven architecture, microservices, API-first.
• Hands-on experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, engaging credibly with C-level, business stakeholders, and engineering teams.
• Strong leadership capabilities with experience guiding teams through large-scale change.
• Nice to Have: Experience in retail/wholesale technology transformation (ERP, POS, logistics integration).
• Nice to Have: Familiarity with event streaming platforms, middleware, and API management solutions.
• Nice to Have: Exposure to platform engineering, DevOps, or data architecture.
• Nice to Have: Experience building and leading architecture practices or centres of excellence.