IT Lead Architect

HSBC; Sheffield; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HSBC Holdings plc is seeking an experienced IT Lead Architect to set and deliver architectural direction for the Risk & Compliance domain. You will drive target architectures, roadmaps, dependencies and governance, collaborating with business, engineering and governance teams to enable secure, scalable technology outcomes.

The role requires deep expertise in large regulated environments, cloud architecture, APIs, microservices and responsible AI governance, with strong stakeholder influence and

Qualifications

• Experience designing architecture in large, complex and regulated organisations.
• Define target architectures and create practical transition states, roadmaps and decision frameworks.
• Confidence presenting options, trade-offs, recommendations and exceptions in governance or Design Authority forums.
• Strong understanding of application, integration, data and cloud architecture, including APIs, event-driven design, microservices and CI/CD.
• Knowledge of security, resilience, privacy, records management, auditability and control-by-design.
• Experience applying Build vs Buy, reuse, simplification, technology rationalisation and Low-Code/No-Code principles.
• Working knowledge of responsible AI adoption, platform integration, data foundations, model or agent governance, monitoring and evidence.
• Strong influencing, collaboration, coaching and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technology decisions clearly and drive decisions at pace.

Responsibilities

• Set and drive the architectural direction for the assigned Risk & Compliance value stream or domain.
• Develop and maintain target and transition architectures, including roadmaps, dependencies and decision points.
• Represent Architecture at governance and Design Authority forums, presenting options, trade-offs and recommendations.
• Identify, manage and elevate cross-programme architectural dependencies, risks and constraints.
• Ensure alignment with Group architecture strategy, standards and guardrails, including Build vs Buy, reuse and simplification.
• Provide architectural leadership for strategic initiatives, including Compass and the Risk & Compliance AI/GenAI agenda.
• Partner with engineering teams to translate architecture into deliverable solution designs, standards and non-functional requirements.
• Coach and challenge architects and engineers, improving solution quality and building consensus with technical and business stakeholders.

Skills

Architecture design

Target architectures

Governance presentations

Security & resilience

Cloud & APIs

CI/CD

Low-Code/No-Code

AI governance

Stakeholder influence

Tools

APIs

Event-driven design

Microservices

CI/CD tooling

Job description

If you're looking for a career that will help you stand out, join HSBC, and fulfil your potential - whether you want a career that could take you to the top, or simply take you in an exciting new direction, HSBC offers opportunities, support and rewards that will take you further.

HSBC is one of the largest banking and financial services organisations in the world, with operations in 64 countries and territories. We aim to be where the growth is, enabling businesses to thrive and economies to prosper, and, ultimately, helping people to fulfil their hopes and realise their ambitions.

We are currently seeking an experienced professional to join our team in the role of IT Lead Architect.

You'll be responsible for setting and delivering the architectural direction for an assigned Risk & Compliance domain, ensuring technology solutions are resilient, secure, scalable and aligned with HSBC's Group strategy and regulatory obligations. You'll work across business, engineering and governance teams to define target and transition architectures, manage dependencies and risks, guide strategic initiatives such as Compass and the AI/GenAI agenda, and ensure consistent application of standards, controls and technology guardrails. It also provides architectural leadership, challenges and supports solution design, and builds consensus among senior stakeholders to enable effective delivery of coherent, sustainable technology outcomes.

As an HSBC employee in the UK, you will have access to tailored professional development opportunities and a competitive pay and benefits package. This includes private healthcare for all UK-based employees, enhanced maternity and adoption pay and support when you return to work, and a contributory pension scheme with a generous employer contribution.

In this role you'll:

• Set and drive the architectural direction for the assigned Risk & Compliance value stream or domain
• Develop and maintain target and transition architectures, including roadmaps, dependencies and decision points
• Represent Architecture at governance and Design Authority forums, presenting options, trade-offs and recommendations
• Identify, manage and elevate cross-programme architectural dependencies, risks and constraints
• Ensure alignment with Group architecture strategy, standards and guardrails, including Build vs Buy, reuse and simplification
• Provide architectural leadership for strategic initiatives, including Compass and the Risk & Compliance AI/GenAI agenda
• Partner with engineering teams to translate architecture into deliverable solution designs, standards and non-functional requirements
• Coach and challenge architects and engineers, improving solution quality and building consensus with technical and business stakeholders

To be successful in this role you should meet the following requirements:

• Experience designing architecture in large, complex and regulated organisations
• Ability to define target architectures and create practical transition states, roadmaps and decision frameworks
• Confidence presenting options, trade-offs, recommendations and exceptions in governance or Design Authority forums

To be successful in this role you should meet the following requirements:

• Experience designing architecture in large, complex and regulated organisations
• Ability to define target architectures and create practical transition states, roadmaps and decision frameworks
• Confidence presenting options, trade-offs, recommendations and exceptions in governance or Design Authority forums
• Strong understanding of application, integration, data and cloud architecture, including APIs, event-driven design, microservices and CI/CD
• Knowledge of security, resilience, privacy, records management, auditability and control-by-design
• Experience applying Build vs Buy, reuse, simplification, technology rationalisation and Low-Code/No-Code principles
• Working knowledge of responsible AI adoption, platform integration, data foundations, model or agent governance, monitoring and evidence
• Strong influencing, collaboration, coaching and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technology decisions clearly and drive decisions at pace

Opening up a world of opportunity

Being open to different points of view is important for our business and the communities we serve. At HSBC, we’re dedicated to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces - no matter their gender, ethnicity, disability, religion, sexual orientation, socio‑economic background or age. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring careers at HSBC are inclusive and accessible for everyone to be at their best. We take pride in being a Disability Confident Leader and will offer an interview to people with disabilities, long term conditions or neurodivergent candidates who meet the minimum criteria for the role.

If you have a need that requires accommodations or changes during the recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Helpdesk via [e-mail].