Platform Architect

Liverpool European Partnership; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday + bank holidays (32+)

Flexible working – Flexibility First

LGPS pension scheme

Training and progression

Health and wellbeing programme

Cycle to work

Job summary

Liverpool City Council is seeking a Cloud Platform Architect to lead the design and governance of its cloud platforms, with a focus on Azure and Microsoft 365. You will collaborate with ICT teams, security specialists and suppliers to deliver secure, scalable cloud services for residents and staff.

You will define cloud strategy, develop architecture standards and drive automation, while ensuring resilience and compliance across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Significant experience designing and managing enterprise cloud platforms.
• Strong technical expertise in Microsoft Azure.
• Experience of cloud security, governance and risk management.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Entra ID, Conditional Access and identity governance.
• Experience developing architecture standards, policies and technical roadmaps.
• Understanding of hybrid cloud infrastructure, networking and platform resilience.
• Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code, automation and modern deployment practices.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Experience translating business requirements into practical technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Platform architecture, governance and strategic development of the Council's cloud platforms.
• Design and assure Azure-based solutions supporting critical business services.
• Provide expert guidance on cloud security, identity management, networking and resilience.
• Develop and maintain cloud standards, reference architectures and governance frameworks.
• Support cloud migration, application modernisation and digital transformation programmes.
• Drive automation, infrastructure-as-code and platform optimisation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with security, regulatory and information governance requirements.
• Assist as the technical authority for platform architectural decisions and cloud platform investments.
• Mentor technical teams and promote best practice across ICT services
• Collaborate with suppliers and partners to maximise value from cloud technologies.

Skills

Enterprise cloud platforms

Azure

Cloud security

Microsoft Entra ID

Identity governance

Architecture standards

Hybrid cloud

Infrastructure as Code

Automation

Stakeholder engagement

Business requirements translation

Job description

Job title: Platform ArchitectA bit about us:

Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic, and engaged communities, people who take real ownership of their local area and are passionate about making our city a better place. We've got ambitious targets to meet and we need people who are driven, dynamic and ready to deliver the very best for our communities. Public service is more important than ever, and this role represents a real opportunity to make a difference to our communities by transforming the way we work and placing our residents at the heart of everything we do. Working at Liverpool City Council provides an opportunity to contribute to your community and make a positive impact on the lives of residents. Our values shape how we work to deliver public services, and how we communicate with the residents we serve. We care about the best outcomes for local people, through our public services.We are proud of our world-famous thriving city with its rich culture, as well as affordable housing, good schools, beautiful green spaces – there’s really something for everyone!

The role:

Liverpool City Council is embarking on an ambitious programme of digital transformation, modernising the technology platforms that support services for residents, communities and employees across the city.We are looking for an experienced Cloud Platform Architect to collaborate the design, governance and strategic development of our cloud platforms, with a particular focus on Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 technologies.This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering secure, resilient and innovative cloud solutions that enable the Council to provide modern, efficient and reliable services to over half a million residents. The role will provide technical leadership across cloud infrastructure, security, architecture standards, automation, identity management, and platform governance As the Cloud Platform Architect, you will act as the Council's subject matter expert for cloud technologies and platform architecture. You will be responsible for defining cloud strategy, developing architecture standards, assuring technical designs, and ensuring that cloud solutions are delivered securely, efficiently and in line with business objectives.You will work closely with ICT teams, project managers, security specialists, suppliers and business stakeholders to deliver modern digital solutions while maintaining operational resilience, compliance and value for money.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Platform architecture, governance and strategic development of the Council's cloud platforms
• Design and assure Azure-based solutions supporting critical business services
• Provide expert guidance on cloud security, identity management, networking and resilience
• Develop and maintain cloud standards, reference architectures and governance frameworks
• Support cloud migration, application modernisation and digital transformation programmes
• Drive automation, infrastructure-as-code and platform optimisation initiatives
• Ensure compliance with security, regulatory and information governance requirements
• Assist as the technical authority for platform architectural decisions and cloud platform investments
• Mentor technical teams and promote best practice across ICT servicesli>
• Collaborate with suppliers and partners to maximise value from cloud technologies

What We're Looking For

You will have:

Essential Skills and Experience

• Significant experience designing and managing enterprise cloud platforms
• Strong technical expertise in Microsoft Azure
• Experience of cloud security, governance and risk management
• Knowledge of Microsoft Entra ID, Conditional Access and identity governance
• Experience developing architecture standards, policies and technical roadmaps
• Understanding of hybrid cloud infrastructure, networking and platform resilience
• Knowledge of Infrastructure as Code, automation and modern deployment practices
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Experience translating business requirements into practical technical solutions

Desirable

• Azure architecture certifications
• Experience within local government or public-sector organisations
• Microsoft 365 architecture experience
• Knowledge of Power Platform governance and cloud cost optimisation
• Experience supporting data and AI platform development

Our offer to you:

• At least 27 days holiday, plus bank holidays rising to 32 after 5 years’ service (pro rata if part time) - option to purchase further days
• Agile working (role dependent) - a “Flexibility First” approach to agile working, where flexibility is the norm rather than the exception
• Part of the Local Government Pension Scheme – option to join the AVC Scheme
• Progression - opportunities and training through a wide range of high quality learning
• Health and Wellbeing - offer including Employee Assistance Programme
• Cycle to Work and Travel Pass Schemes
• Drive Time – a salary sacrifice car lease scheme
• Family friendly policies with enhanced leave
• Discounted Gym Memberships
• Employee Volunteering Scheme
• Medicash

Next steps:

• Closing date: midnight on Monday 26th October 2026
• Shortlisting date: w/c Monday 9th November 2026
• Interview date: w/c Monday 16th November 2026
• Interview type: Face to face

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early. Once the role has closed, you will not be able to submit an application, and we are unable to reopen the vacancy for you to complete it. We strongly recommend submitting your application well in advance of the closing date to avoid disappointment.

If you would like any further information or an informal discussion, please contact James Penter via [e-mail] our recruitment video and see what life is like working at Liverpool City Council.

Liverpool City Council is committed to fostering a workforce representative of the communities we serve. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we believe in appointing candidates based on their skills, experience, qualifications, and abilities. To support this commitment, we guarantee an interview to candidates from under-represented groups who meet the minimum essential criteria for the role.If you require any reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act 2010, such as an application form in a different format or additional time to complete your application, please contact us [e-mail].

Although we advertise on Jobs Go Public, and other websites, your application process will be directed to our Tribepad system. Please note that all communication regarding your application for this post will be sent to the email address that you are registered on Tribepad, including your invite to interview if you are shortlisted. Please check your emails regularly, including Spam/Junk, after the closing dates for notifications. Please ensure you complete your full profile, work and education history in Tribepad.

Eligibility to work in the UK will be verified in the final stages of the selection process. All candidates must either already have a right to work in the UK before commencing employment or meet the Home Office criteria for Visa sponsorship. Candidates who require sponsorship should evaluate the Home Office eligibility criteria for a Skilled Worker visa before applying.

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