Principal Architect

lloyds banking group; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 124,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

A major financial services group is seeking a Principal Architect to define and lead the architecture strategy supporting the Group’s vision. This pivotal role involves extensive interaction with technology and business leaders, driving innovative solutions that align with customer needs. Ideal candidates will have a proven track record in architecture, with expertise in modern technologies and strong leadership skills. The position is hybrid, based primarily in Leeds or Edinburgh.

Benefits

Generous pension contribution

Annual bonus award

Share schemes including free shares

30 days’ holiday

Wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Proven track record as a Principal Architect.
• Gravitas to operate at a director level.
• Experience in corporate governance and solution development.
• Expertise in hybrid cloud deployment models.
• Strong storytelling skills to present recommendations.
• Experience in large organisations with complex systems.

Responsibilities

• Propose strategic architecture direction for IP&I.
• Act as a trusted advisor to Technology Leaders.
• Conduct feasibility assessments and create roadmaps.
• Utilise technical skills in various technologies.

Skills

Architectural vision and strategy

Cloud service technologies

Stakeholder engagement

Agile methodology

Leadership skills

Tools

Public and Private Cloud

APIs

DevOps

CRM

Job description

Overview

End Date Thursday 25 September 2025

Salary Range £124,653 - £146,650

Flexible Working Options We support flexible working – more information on flexible working options

Job Details

Job Title: Principal Architect

Salary: £124,653 - £146,650

Locations: Edinburgh or Leeds

Hours: Full time

Working Pattern: Hybrid, 40% (or two days) in the Edinburgh or Leeds office

About this opportunity

An excellent opportunity for an experienced Principal Lead Architect for our Chief Technology Office (CTO) Insurance, Pensions & Investments (IP&I) team.

In this pivotal role, you’ll define, uphold, and communicate the Technology Strategy to support the Group’s vision and strategic goals. With a clear focus on the capabilities needed for long-term success, you’ll align our Technology agenda with the Group’s overarching strategy.

This opportunity is specifically aligned to our Insurance, Pensions & Investments Business Unit, an essential part of the Group’s growth strategy. Our mission here is to financially empower the UK by deepening relationships with customers, future-proofing their finances, and protecting them from the unexpected. This includes various products like General and Protection Insurance, direct-to-customer services, advisor-led and employer pensions, annuities, and investment products.

We’re looking for a candidate who can combine a mix of business acumen, technical prowess, architectural expertise, and personal skills to support our platform from an architectural perspective.

Responsibilities

• Propose and drive the strategic direction of architecture for IP&I
• Act as a trusted advisor and internal consultant to Technology and Business Platform Leads
• Combine corporate governance, business control, and developing business solutions
• Utilise technical skills in Public and Private Cloud, APIs, Traditional hosting, and event-driven architectures
• Create feasibility assessments and roadmaps
• Embody an agile and digital mindset while demonstrating strong communication and leadership skills

About us

We’re on an exciting journey and there couldn’t be a better time to join us. The investments we’re making in our people, data, and technology are leading to innovative projects, fresh possibilities, and countless new ways for our people to work, learn, and thrive.

What you’ll need

• A proven track record in a Principal Architect role, having successfully set the architecture vision and strategy, is essential
• Gravitas and impact to operate at a director level. You’ll use strong storytelling skills, both written and verbally, in how you present your communication recommendations in line with priorities.
• Experience in business skills such as corporate governance, business control, solution development, and design
• Detailed technology knowledge across various topics including (but not limited to) domain driven models, microservices, event-driven design, hybrid cloud deployment models, cloud service provider technologies, CRM, business process management, devops, CI/CD, modern data paradigms, cyber security, resilience by design and sustainability.
• You\'ve worked in established complex organisations with large customer bases so have a good appreciation of the non-functional considerations and crafting systems accordingly.
• Architectural expertise, including feasibility assessments and road-mapping
• Personal strengths: agile mindset, digital approach, strong communication, leadership, and alignment with company values

About working for us

Our focus is to ensure we\'re inclusive every day, building an organisation that reflects modern society and celebrates diversity in all its forms.

We want our people to feel that they belong and can be their best, regardless of background, identity or culture.

We were one of the first major organisations to set goals on diversity in senior roles, create a menopause health package, and a dedicated Working with Cancer initiative.

And it’s why we especially welcome applications from under-represented groups.

We’re disability confident. So, if you’d like reasonable adjustments to be made to our recruitment processes, just let us know.

Benefits

• A generous pension contribution of up to 15%
• An annual bonus award, subject to Group performance
• Share schemes including free shares
• Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping
• 30 days’ holiday, with bank holidays on top
• A range of wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies

Want to do amazing work, that’s interesting and makes a difference to millions of people? Join our journey.

At Lloyds Banking Group, we're driven by a clear purpose; to help Britain prosper. Across the Group, our colleagues are focused on making a difference to customers, businesses and communities. With us you\'ll have a key role to play in shaping the financial services of the future, whilst the scale and reach of our Group means you\'ll have many opportunities to learn, grow and develop.

We keep your data safe. So, we'll only ever ask you to provide confidential or sensitive information once you have formally been invited along to an interview or accepted a verbal offer to join us which is when we run our background checks. We\'ll always explain what we need and why, with any request coming from a trusted Lloyds Banking Group person.

We're focused on creating a values-led culture and are committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the customers and communities we serve. Together we’re building a truly inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference.