Head of Infrastructure Architecture Guild

AXA UK plc; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services provider in the UK is seeking a Head of Infrastructure Architecture Guild to lead strategy and execution for core infrastructure architecture. The role involves defining architectural standards, overseeing platform evolution, and mentoring a community of architects. Candidates should have extensive experience in cloud and security architecture and be proficient in infrastructure-as-code. Competitive salary and flexible working arrangements are offered.

Benefits

Competitive annual salary

Annual bonus

Contributory pension scheme

Life Assurance

Private medical cover

28 days annual leave

Wellbeing services

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in cloud, security architecture, or related roles.
• Deep experience designing architectures in cloud-native environments.
• Skilled in defining architecture standards and automated platforms.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve architecture standards & patterns for core services.
• Develop platform reference architectures that support modular design.
• Provide architectural oversight of platform evolution.

Skills

Extensive experience in cloud, security architecture

Designing architectures in cloud-native environments

Knowledge of multi-cloud technology

Defining architecture standards

Infrastructure-as-code proficiency

Managing technical risk

Familiarity with architecture frameworks

Excellent stakeholder engagement

Delivery mindset

Tools

Terraform

GitHub Actions

Jenkins

Argo

Job description

The Infrastructure Architecture Guild defines and governs the architectural approach for core infrastructure services, including cloud, security, and network domains. The Guild ensures scalable, resilient, and agile platforms with consistent standards and patterns that enable a product‑aligned operating model across product and engineering teams. As Head of Infrastructure Architecture Guild you’ll lead the strategy and execution for infrastructure architecture across AXA UKI, owning architecture principles, patterns and standards for core platforms and providing technical leadership on platform evolution. You’ll build and mentor a community of platform, cloud, security and infrastructure architects to ensure cross‑functional consistency and alignment with enterprise road‑maps. Work will typically involve at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) in the future, with a preference for office attendance, client visits or industry events. Flexible arrangements may be discussed with Talent Acquisition.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and evolve architecture standards & patterns for core services including cloud, network and security.
• Develop platform reference architectures that support modular design, interoperability, and align with Group standards.
• Provide architectural oversight of platform evolution and ensure alignment to enterprise and solution architecture road‑maps.
• Work closely with platform engineering teams to embed architectural principles into design, build and run activities.
• Drive adoption of Group products where applicable while supporting Group product strategy.
• Evaluate and select technologies that align with AXA's strategic direction, balancing cost, flexibility and scalability.
• Ensure architecture meets enterprise standards for security, resilience and regulatory compliance.
• Lead and coach a community of security, cloud and infrastructure architects, promoting consistency, capability‑building and technical innovation.

Equal Opportunity & Inclusion

AXA is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We take pride in treating employees and potential hires with respect and without discrimination based on any Protected Characteristics. AXA UK is a Disability Confident Leader and actively encourages applications from individuals who face barriers in the workplace due to a disability or long‑term health condition. We participate in the Disability Confident ‘Offer of Interview’ scheme, ensuring a fair and proportionate number of candidates with long‑term health conditions or disabilities who meet the essential criteria of a job will be offered an interview.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in cloud, security architecture, infrastructure architecture, or related enterprise‑level technical roles.
• Deep experience designing architectures in cloud‑native, hybrid, or multi‑cloud environments (AWS, Azure).
• Strong knowledge of platform services including multi‑cloud technology and operating models, security tooling and network design.
• Skilled in defining architecture standards and enabling automated, secure and scalable platforms.
• Proficient in infrastructure‑as‑code and CI/CD patterns (e.g., Terraform, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Argo).
• Experienced in managing technical risk, platform lifecycle planning and enabling delivery through platforms.
• Familiar with architecture frameworks and best practices (e.g., TOGAF).
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills across engineering, architecture and product.
• Strategic and pragmatic, with a strong delivery mindset.

Screening & Conduct

As a regulated financial services company, all successful candidates will be subject to pre‑employment checks. Applicants must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom. Candidates will also need to comply with the Prudential Regulation Authority’s (PRA) Insurance Conduct Standards and the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Conduct Rules.

Benefits

• Competitive annual salary dependent on experience
• Annual company & performance‑based bonus
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions)
• Life Assurance (up to 10× annual salary)
• Private medical cover
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave
• Wellbeing services & resources
• AXA employee discounts