Lead Cloud Architect - Azure Transformation
Location: Central London or Sheffield (Hybrid – 2 days onsite, some travel between sites)
Contract: Initial 12 months with extensions (2–3 year transformation programme)
Rate: £750‑£900 per day (Inside IR35)
Shape the Future of Cloud at one of the UK’s largest organisations
Are you an experienced Senior Cloud Architect with deep knowledge of Azure based cloud transformations? Do you have exceptional stakeholder engagement skills and a track record of significant contributions to complex, enterprise‑scale environments? If so, apply now for this new role.
We are looking for a highly experienced Senior Cloud Architect / Senior Azure Architect to play a pivotal role in a major enterprise‑wide digital transformation programme.
The successful Senior Cloud Architect / Senior Azure Architect will be an energetic, enthusiastic and charismatic leader, who can build key relationships with senior stakeholders as well as key internal and 3rd party technical resources. You will be able to influence decision‑making, challenge suppliers, manage competing priorities and help establish what great cloud architecture looks like across a complex organisation.
Joining at the early stages of a multi‑year transformation, the Senior Cloud Architect / Senior Azure Architect will help define cloud standards, governance, and architectural direction while building strong relationships across technology, product, cyber security, and delivery teams.
The Opportunity
As a Senior Cloud Architect, you'll act as a trusted advisor across the organisation, helping shape cloud strategy and ensuring technology decisions align with long‑term business objectives.
You'll work closely with product teams, suppliers, cloud engineering teams, and security stakeholders to create a scalable, secure, and repeatable cloud operating model, ensuring that architectural standards, frameworks and guardrails are applied.
Rather than being responsible for detailed solution delivery, you'll provide architectural leadership, guidance, and governance across multiple programmes and platforms.
What You'll Be Doing
* Champion cloud adoption and cloud‑first thinking across the organisation
* Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, product directors, engineering teams, suppliers, and cyber security teams
* Provide architectural leadership across Azure‑based transformation initiatives
* Review and challenge supplier designs and technical proposals
* Define cloud standards, governance frameworks, patterns, and reusable architectural artefacts
* Identify opportunities for standardisation, automation, and repeatability
* Ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture principles, security requirements, and business objectives
* Support strategic planning activities and major transformation programmes
* Influence technology roadmaps and cloud operating models
* Act as an advocate for modern cloud practices and continuous improvement
What We’re Looking For
* Strong Azure architecture experience within large enterprise environments
* Proven track record delivering or supporting large‑scale cloud transformation programmes
* Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills
* Ability to engage confidently with senior business and technology leaders
* Experience influencing teams and suppliers without direct authority
* Strong understanding of cloud governance, security, operating models, and architectural best practices
* Ability to balance strategic vision with pragmatic delivery
Why Join?
* Be part of a fully funded, multi‑year transformation programme
* Influence cloud strategy from the ground up
* Work with senior leadership to shape the future technology landscape
* High‑profile role with significant visibility across the organisation
* Opportunity to create lasting change rather than simply maintain existing platforms
This role would suit a Cloud Architect, Lead Architect, Enterprise Architect, or Cloud Transformation Architect who combines strong Azure knowledge with exceptional stakeholder engagement and leadership skills.
The rate is flexible, but is expected to be in the range of £750‑£900 per day, inside IR35.
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