About Squarcle / The Team
Squarcle is a growing strategy and operations consultancy dedicated to driving the performance of our clients. We are people-oriented and pride ourselves on our people-first culture. Unlike many consultancies, Squarcle is equally dedicated to delivery as it is to design.
The supply chain strategy and operations department is responsible for providing expert supply chain strategy and operational advice
to clients operating in a fast-moving global environment. The team is made up of several subject matter experts who work for the Head of Consulting to deliver the client mandate. Working together but often independently, each consultant will be expected to work onsite and remotely, with the client on complex and exciting support chain challenges.
Squarcle is committed to equality and diversity, and we aim to build a diverse, dedicated, and high-performing team of subject matter experts to help our clients achieve supply chain and operational excellence.
Job Overview / Introduction
We are seeking a Solution Architect with experience in Microsoft Azure to support the design and delivery of secure, scalable, and cost-effective cloud solutions. Working under the guidance of the Head of Solution Architecture, you will contribute to end-to-end solution design, translating business requirements into robust technical architectures and supporting delivery teams across the full project lifecycle.
This role is ideal for someone with a strong technical foundation who is looking to further develop their architectural capability in a collaborative, client-focused environment. You will be expected to provide architecture support across external client project deliveries, contribute to proposal development for future client engagements, and support internal Squarcle digital product development.
In addition, the role includes a mentoring responsibility for graduates within the Squarcle Digital Capability, helping them to understand solution architecture principles and their role in successful solution delivery.
Primary Role and Responsibilities
Solution Architecture & Design
* Define end-to-end solution architectures that meet functional and non-functional requirements
* Apply The Open Group TOGAF principles and Architecture Development Method (ADM) to produce consistent and traceable architecture artefacts
* Develop current-state, target-state, and transition architectures across application, data, integration, and infrastructure domains
* Produce clear solution design documentation, diagrams, and architecture decision records
Cloud & Azure Architecture
* Design and recommend cloud solutions using Microsoft Azure services, patterns, and reference architectures
* Select appropriate Azure technologies (IaaS, PaaS, serverless, hybrid) based on workload and business requirements
* Ensure solutions address security, scalability, availability, performance, and cost management requirements
* Support cloud migration, modernisation, and greenfield initiatives
Consulting & Stakeholder Engagement
* Engage with client stakeholders to understand business drivers, constraints, and technical environments
* Facilitate architecture workshops, discovery sessions, and design reviews
* Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
* Provide architecture options and trade-off analysis to support informed decision-making
Governance & Assurance
* Ensure solutions comply with enterprise architecture standards, policies, and best practices
* Participate in architecture governance forums, design reviews, and assurance activities
* Maintain alignment between approved architecture designs and delivered solutions
Delivery Support
* Collaborate with development, infrastructure, DevOps, and security teams throughout the delivery lifecycle
* Provide ongoing architectural guidance during implementation and resolve design-related issues
* Review solution implementations to ensure adherence to architectural intent
Security, Risk & Quality
* Embed security-by-design principles, including identity, access management, data protection, and network security
* Identify and manage technical risks, assumptions, and dependencies
* Ensure compliance with regulatory, contractual, and organisational requirements
Continuous Improvement
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of Azure services, architecture patterns, and emerging technologies
* Contribute to internal capability development, reusable assets, and reference architectures
* Mentor junior team members and contribute to a culture of architectural excellence
Knowledge, Skills, & Experience
Essential
* TOGAF Certification.
* Strong knowledge of architecture frameworks, including Business, Data, Application, Security and Technology Architecture, and how to apply them to organisational solutions.
* Proven experience in designing and implementing digital solutions that align with TOGAF's Architecture Development Method phases. Ability to create architecture models that ensure scalability, security, and efficiency.
* In-depth understanding of secure system design, including security standards, encryption, authentication, and risk management.
* Experience designing and delivering technology and digital solutions to solve business problems and create enduring value for clients.
* Extensive experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and the design of cloud-native architectures.
* Experience working in Agile environments with DevOps practices, applying TOGAF architecture governance in agile workflows to align architecture with delivery roadmaps.
* Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical architecture concepts into business terms and interact with stakeholders at all levels. Strong data modelling and analysis skills.
* Understanding of governance processes, architecture boards, and compliance standards, both within TOGAF's Governance Framework and aligned with DDAT and GDS standards.
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
* Strong risk identification and mitigation skills in the context of architecture, utilising TOGAF's risk management methodologies.
Desirable
* Experience working with Government Digital Service (GDS) standards, service design principles, and technology codes of practice. Familiarity with DDAT's professional capability framework.
* Certifications in other architecture frameworks, such as ITIL or COBIT, to complement TOGAF experience.
* Certifications in cloud platforms (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Architect, Google Cloud Architect) to support TOGAF-aligned cloud-native designs.
* Experience in designing microservices-based architectures and APIs, aligning with TOGAF's Application Architecture principles for modular and scalable systems.
* Practical experience leading digital transformation projects, particularly in the public sector, aligned with TOGAF's enterprise architecture methodologies.
SC Clearance:
This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you've been recruited for. If it isn't obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn't obtained within 6 months. If you hold dual citizenship or nationality from another country, please make us aware of this during the application phase. We're unable to offer visa sponsorship.
Benefits / Additional Information
Generous leave package
* 26 days of annual leave (including your birthday) plus UK bank holidays — increasing to 27 days after three years, and 28 after seven years
* You'll also get five extra days for your five and 10-year anniversaries
* Additional leave for members of the Reserve Forces and CFAV.
Private medical insurance
* Provided once you've completed your probation.
Recognition and rewards
* £1,000 referral bonus for successful hires
* Performance-related awards
* Milestones and life event hampers to celebrate life's big moments
Development & learning
* Annual training week abroad
* Funding for qualifications that benefit both you and the business
Travel & wellbeing
* Cycle to work scheme
* Discounted travel through funded railcards
Pension
* Our pension provider is NOW Pensions, pension contributions are 3% employer and 5% employee