Strategic Bids Architect
Digital, Data, Cloud and AI Solutions | Complex Public Sector and Defence Programmes
Overview
The Strategic Bids Architect plays a pivotal role in shaping, validating, and presenting complex digital, data, and AI-enabled solutions that are commercially competitive, architecturally robust, and operationally deliverable.
We are seeking an experienced Strategic Bids Architect to lead the design of complex, large-scale digital, data and AI-enabled solutions for high-value, strategic bids.
This role acts as the senior technical authority across pursuits, shaping end-to-end architectures that are commercially competitive, operationally deliverable and aligned to customer outcomes. You will work closely with growth, bid, service design and delivery teams to create compelling, winnable solutions that balance innovation with cost, risk and feasibility.
You will play a key role “left of the deal”, influencing opportunities early, defining solution strategy and ensuring technology choices directly improve win probability, delivery performance and long-term margins.
Key Responsibilities
Solution Leadership
* Lead the design of end-to-end digital, cloud, data and AI architectures for complex and strategic bids
* Translate business and operational requirements into integrated technical solutions across applications, data, automation, integration and security
* Define architecture vision and technical strategy, incorporating AI, analytics and intelligent automation
* Balance innovation with delivery practicality, cost efficiency and risk
Bid & Pursuit Engagement
* Act as technical design authority throughout pre-sales and bid development
* Shape the technical narrative within proposals and differentiate through digital and AI capabilities
* Support client workshops, solution validation sessions and technical orals
* Collaborate closely with sales, bid and delivery stakeholders to produce compliant and compelling submissions
Digital & Architecture Governance
* Ensure alignment with enterprise architecture standards and responsible AI principles
* Present solutions to internal design authorities and review boards
* Maintain traceability from customer outcomes through to architecture decisions
* Manage risk across data, security, AI models and integrations
Commercial & Financial Awareness
* Understand how technical decisions impact cost, pricing, margin and delivery viability
* Work with commercial and pricing teams to build robust cost models and ROI cases
* Contribute to outcome-based and consumption-based commercial models
Transition to Delivery
* Support mobilisation and handover to delivery teams post-award
* Document architecture baselines and reusable assets
Experience & Skills
Essential
* 10+ years’ experience designing large-scale digital transformation or cloud solutions
* Proven experience leading solution architecture for complex bids or major programmes
* Strong background in cloud platforms (Azure, AWS or multi-cloud environments)
* Experience with data platforms, analytics and AI/ML solutions
* Strong understanding of APIs, microservices, integration and modern architectures
* Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders up to CxO level
* Commercial awareness and ability to align technical design with financial outcomes
Desirable
* Experience in defence, government or regulated environments
* Knowledge of architecture frameworks such as TOGAF
* Familiarity with AI governance and responsible AI practices
* Experience working in bid, pre-sales or pursuit environments
Core Competencies
* Structured problem solving
* Clear and confident communicator
* Systems thinking
* Collaborative working style
* Ability to work at pace across multiple pursuits