Cloud Architect

Pwc South Africa; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 1 000 000 - 1 500 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading consulting firm is seeking a Cloud Architect at the Senior Manager level to design and deliver scalable, secure cloud solutions. This role involves defining cloud strategies, leading high-impact engagements, and advising clients on cloud adoption and transformation initiatives. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in IT architecture across multiple cloud environments and excellent stakeholder communication skills.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in IT architecture and solution design.
• 5+ years in cloud architecture across multiple cloud providers.
• Proven experience in software development (Java, .NET, Python).
• Strong working knowledge of security, networking, automation (IaC).
• Experience with cloud migration and multi-cloud strategies.
• Certifications across multiple cloud providers are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Design robust, scalable, and secure cloud architectures.
• Lead the development of cloud strategies and roadmaps.
• Act as trusted advisor on cloud capabilities and operating models.
• Oversee the design and implementation of multi-cloud solutions.
• Define architectural standards and reusable frameworks.
• Coach and mentor cloud engineers and solution architects.

Skills

Cloud Strategy & Roadmapping

Multi-Cloud & Hybrid Architecture Design

Solution Architecture & Systems Integration

Cost Optimisation & Operational Excellence

Security & Compliance by Design

Team Leadership & Mentoring

Stakeholder Influence & Executive Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

AWS

Azure

Google Cloud Platform

Kubernetes

Security tools and frameworks

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking an accomplished and visionary Cloud Architect (Senior Manager level) to lead the design and delivery of robust, scalable, and secure cloud solutions across a range of industries and technologies. This role is technology agnostic, meaning it requires deep architectural expertise and experience across multiple cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, private/hybrid cloud), rather than alignment with a single provider.

As a senior manager, you will be responsible for defining cloud strategies, architecting solutions across cloud platforms, leading high-impact engagements, and developing cloud capability across the business. You will also advise clients and stakeholders on cloud adoption, transformation, modernisation, and optimisation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Cloud Architecture & Strategy

• Design end-to-end, technology-agnostic cloud architectures that meet both current and future business and technical requirements.
• Lead the development of cloud strategies and roadmaps across multi-cloud and hybrid environments (Azure, AWS and GP)
• Collaborate with business and technology stakeholders to align cloud architecture with enterprise goals and transformation plans.

Solution Design & Delivery

• Translate business requirements into secure, scalable, and cost-effective technical solutions.
• Lead architecture assessments, reference model development, and architectural governance for cloud initiatives.
• Oversee the design and implementation of solutions for infrastructure, data, security, and applications across diverse cloud platforms.

Cloud Advisory & Consulting

• Act as a trusted advisor to internal and external clients, offering vendor-neutral guidance on cloud capabilities, trade-offs, and operating models.
• Support cloud adoption journeys, including migration, cloud-native development, platform modernisation, and DevSecOps enablement.
• Provide thought leadership on emerging cloud trends, tools, and services across providers.

Technical Leadership & Governance

• Lead cloud architecture reviews, security and compliance design, and operational readiness assessments.
• Define architectural patterns, standards, and reusable frameworks to ensure delivery consistency.
• Coach and mentor cloud engineers, solution architects, and delivery teams across engagements.

Stakeholder Management & Delivery Oversight

• Interface with CIOs, CTOs, enterprise architects, and program leads to communicate architectural direction and technical risk.
• Support business development and pre-sales by contributing to proposals, solution shaping, and client workshops.

Qualifications & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in IT architecture and solution design, with at least 5+ years in cloud architecture across AWS, Azure, GCP, and hybrid cloud models.
• Proven expertise in designing and delivering cloud solutions across infrastructure, application, data, and integration layers.
• Proven experience in software development (e.g., Java, .NET, or Python), with a solid understanding of how engineering drives good architecture.
• Strong working knowledge of security, networking, automation (IaC), DevOps/DevSecOps, and container platforms (e.g., Kubernetes).
• Experience with cloud migration, multi-cloud strategies, and cloud-native architecture patterns.
• Familiarity with TOGAF, SABSA, or similar enterprise architecture frameworks is a plus.
• Certifications across multiple providers (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Architect Expert, GCP Professional Cloud Architect) are desirable but not mandatory.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, advanced degree preferred.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, particularly with C-level and business stakeholders.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Cloud Strategy & Roadmapping
• Multi-Cloud & Hybrid Architecture Design
• Solution Architecture & Systems Integration
• Cost Optimisation & Operational Excellence
• Security & Compliance by Design
• Team Leadership & Mentoring
• Stakeholder Influence & Executive Communication

Preferred certifications:

• Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
• Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect
• TOGAF, SABSA, or similar
• DevOps or security certifications (e.g., CKAD, CKA, CISSP)