Senior Azure Cloud Architect

Position Overview:

We are seeking a Senior Azure Cloud Architect to lead the design, implementation, and evolution of secure, scalable, and high-performing cloud solutions in Microsoft Azure. This pivotal role sits at the intersection of technology strategy and enterprise innovation, supporting mission-critical operations within a highly regulated investment organization.

You will collaborate with Cloud operations, governance and operations teams part of CCOE (Cloud centre of excellence), cybersecurity, and business stakeholders to architect robust hybrid and cloud-native systems that drive operational excellence, digital agility, and competitive advantage.

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture Leadership: Design end-to-end and operate Azure cloud and hybrid solutions that meet enterprise standards for performance, scalability, security, compliance, and cost-efficiency.
• Strategic Planning: Adopt and update cloud adoption frameworks, migration roadmaps, and transformation strategies in alignment with business objectives and regulatory mandates.
• Cloud Platform Engineering: Implement infrastructure-as-code solutions using Terraform, BICEP, and ARM templates to build and manage secure, automated environments.
• Security & Compliance: Embed cybersecurity, data privacy, and compliance controls (e.g., NIST, ISO, CIS benchmarks) into all architecture blueprints and CI/CD workflows.
• Network & Connectivity: Design and optimize global hybrid connectivity architectures (Azure VWAN, SD-WAN, ExpressRoute, VPN), integrating firewalls (Palo Alto, Cisco), load balancers, and application gateways.
• Disaster Recovery & Resilience: Architect enterprise-grade backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity solutions using both native Azure tools and third-party platforms (Veeam).
• Collaboration & Leadership: Serve as a trusted technical advisor across business units, Digital and Technology Services (D&TS), and Cybersecurity and Technology Platform (CTP) functions. Lead architecture review boards, technical workshops, and mentoring initiatives.
• Cloud Governance & FINOPS: Implement and monitor cost governance policies and optimization frameworks using Azure Monitor, Azure Cost Management, and FINOPS best practices.
• DevOps & Automation: Integrate with DevSecOps pipelines, enforcing security policies and enabling agile delivery through tools like Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, and Azure Policy.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• 8+ years in enterprise IT environments, with 5+ years of hands-on experience architecting Microsoft Azure solutions.
• Proven expertise across Azure services: Compute, Networking, Identity, Storage, Security, Monitoring, and Application Services.
• Deep knowledge of enterprise networking (routing, switching, VPNs), SD-WAN (Cisco, Citrix), and network security.
• Expertise in infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, BICEP, ARM) and configuration management practices.
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance in financial or government environments (e.g., GDPR and ISO 27001).
• Experience with backup and DR architectures and third-party solutions (e.g Veeam).
• Familiarity with FINOPS practices and cloud cost management tooling.

Preferred Certifications:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (Preferred)
• Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert (Preferred)
• TOGAF / SABSA / Cloud Security Certifications (optional)
• Certified FINOPS Practitioner (a plus)