Lead Architect - Managed Services Manchester£100,000 - £110,000 + bonus + perm benefits Need to be SC eligibleWe are looking for a seasoned Managed Services Lead Architect to take architectural ownership of a large, complex client account undergoing significant transformation.This is a senior, client-facing role where you will own the end-to-end architecture of contracted services, act as the ultimate technical authority on the account, and ensure the long-term integrity, stability, and evolution of the technology landscape.What You'll Be DoingOwn and govern the end-to-end account architecture across Managed Services contractsProvide architectural governance of change, ensuring quality, compliance, and adherence to standardsDefine and maintain future-state architectures, roadmaps, and transition plans aligned to client needs and contractual commitmentsAct as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, building strong and credible relationshipsProvide direction and guidance to Domain Architects and Engineers, acting as a technical role modelBalance innovation with operational stability, ensuring solutions are supportable, secure, and commercially viableCollaborate closely with delivery, commercial, and service leadership to manage risk and cost to serveWhat We're Looking ForYou will be a senior architect who has operated successfully in large Managed Services environments, with experience that includes:Proven ownership of end-to-end architecture for complex, multi-technology estatesExperience operating as a Lead or Account Architect within Managed Services or outsourcing contractsStrong understanding of contracts, commercials, SLAs, and service economicsConfidence working with legacy platforms alongside modern cloud and digital technologiesExcellent stakeholder management skills, with credibility at senior client and executive levelA pragmatic mindset - able to make sound architectural decisions within real-world constraints