M365 Product Architect

Financial Conduct Authority; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 59,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

A public regulatory body in the UK is hiring an M365 Product Architect to shape the future of collaboration and communication services. This role involves strategic leadership, overseeing technical solutions, and ensuring compliance with organizational goals. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with M365 services and a robust understanding of architectural practices. The position offers a competitive salary and benefits, alongside a flexible working environment.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Hybrid model with up to 60% remote work

Non-contributory pension

Private healthcare with Bupa

35 hours of paid volunteering annually

Flexible benefits scheme

Qualifications

• Experience of working with M365 services, particularly as an architect.
• Experience within an architect role with high-level architectural designs.
• Experience of working with Microsoft Azure and security best practices.

Responsibilities

• Design and architect modern communication services such as Exchange Online and Microsoft Teams.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for collaboration solutions.
• Drive innovation ensuring compliance with FCA’s strategic goals.

Skills

Experience of working with M365 services

Experience within an architect role

Experience of working with Microsoft Azure

Ability to focus on outcomes

Effective communication at all management levels

Experience in end-to-end life cycle management

Initiative in delivering work

Cross-functionally align business needs

Job description

M365 Product Architect

Division: Data, Technology and Innovation

Department: End User Compute

• Salary: National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £59,100 to £84,000; London from £64,900 to £93,000 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

• This role is graded as: Lead Associate - Regulatory

Recruitment contact: Benjamin via [e-mail]. Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via social media or email will not be accepted.

About the FCA and team

We regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you’ll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth, and shaping the future of UK finance services.

End User Compute (EUC) is a key team providing change and management for a wide range of application and infrastructure services. We operate in small, cross‑functional, self‑organising teams, passionate about delivering value while having fun.

Our Content, Communication and Collaboration team within EUC handles product ownership, analysis and service management for tools like SharePoint, MS Teams and Exchange/Outlook. We regularly engage with frontline business areas, DevOps teams and suppliers, adding variety to our daily tasks.

Role responsibilities

• Shape the future of collaboration by designing and architecting modern communication services such as Exchange Online, Microsoft Teams and SharePoint Online.
• Provide strategic leadership through technical expertise, offering direction and oversight for end‑user collaboration and communication solutions.
• Drive innovation with compliance by ensuring architectural changes align with the FCA’s strategic goals and meet governance and security standards.
• Foster strong partnerships by working closely with FCA stakeholders and suppliers to deliver reliable, high‑quality services.
• Influence product evolution by contributing to the roadmap, introducing new services and developing strategies that support business growth.
• Engage with the architectural community by participating in high‑level forums, reviewing decision papers and shaping discussions within a network of experts.

Skills required

Minimum:

• Experience of working with M365 services, including SharePoint Online, Teams, Exchange Online and Power Platform, particularly as an architect.
• Experience within an architect role, skilled at working with high‑level architectural designs, technical specifications and integration patterns across M365 and other enterprise systems.
• Experience of working with Microsoft Azure, Identity Management, Compliance and security best practices.

Essential:

• Ability to focus on outcomes and the bigger picture, confidently challenging established approaches.
• Understanding supplier proposals and promoting cost‑effective solutions.
• Effective communication at all management levels, including director level, with a focus on trade‑offs impacting the enterprise.
• Adaptable style to build strong relationships with developers and senior leaders, facilitating innovation across the organisation.
• Experience in end‑to‑end life cycle management of IT services, including Service Design, Service Transition and IT Service continuity.
• Initiative in delivering work and building relationships, with the ability to manage and prioritise tasks effectively.
• Cross‑functionally to align business needs with technical solutions.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Hybrid model with up to 60% remote work.
• Non‑contributory pension (8–12% depending on age) and life assurance at eight times your salary.
• Private healthcare with Bupa, income protection, and 24/7 Employee Assistance.
• 35 hours of paid volunteering annually.
• A flexible benefits scheme designed around your lifestyle.

For a full list of our benefits and our recruitment process as a whole, visit our benefits page.

Our values & culture

Our colleagues are the key to our success as a regulator. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture: one that’s free from discrimination and bias, celebrates difference, and supports colleagues to deliver at their best. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better regulation.

If you require any adjustments due to a disability or condition, your recruiter is here to help – reach out for tailored support.

We welcome diverse working styles and aim to find flexible solutions that suit both the role and individual needs, including options like part‑time and job sharing where applicable.

Disability Confident Employer

We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, and therefore, people or individuals with disabilities and long‑term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process. In cases of high application volumes, we may progress applicants whose experience most closely matches the role’s key requirements.

Useful information and timeline

• Advert Closing: 18 November at 11:59pm.
• CV shortlist/ Review: 19 November.
• 1st Interview (technical): 26 November.
• 2nd Interview (behavioural): 8‑10 December.
• Informal conversation: from 11 December.
• Your recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time.
• SC Clearance is required for this role. You will hold or will be required to obtain Security Check (SC) level vetting.

SC Clearance guidance

SC guidance.