Azure Architect
Role Purpose
The Azure Architect is responsible for designing, governing, and evolving secure, scalable, and resilient Microsoft Azure cloud solutions. The role provides technical leadership across cloud infrastructure, networking, identity, security, automation, and platform services, ensuring alignment with business objectives, security requirements, and cloud best practices.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and maintain Azure cloud architectures, standards, and governance frameworks.
- Lead the delivery of secure, scalable, and cost-effective Azure solutions across IaaS, PaaS, and container platforms.
- Develop and maintain Azure landing zones, reference architectures, and architectural standards.
- Provide architectural guidance and assurance to engineering, security, and project teams.
- Support cloud migration, modernisation, and transformation initiatives.
- Define cloud security controls, identity management, networking, and resilience strategies.
- Promote Infrastructure as Code (IaC), automation, DevOps, and cloud-native practices.
- Establish monitoring, observability, backup, disaster recovery, and operational readiness standards.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
- Drive continuous improvement in platform reliability, security, and operational efficiency.
Knowledge & Experience
- Strong experience designing enterprise-scale solutions on Microsoft Azure.
- Deep understanding of Azure networking, identity, security, governance, and cloud architecture principles.
- Experience with Azure Landing Zones, Cloud Adoption Framework, and Well-Architected Framework.
- Knowledge of Azure services including VMs, App Services, Functions, AKS, Storage, and Entra ID.
- Experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Bicep) and CI/CD practices.
- Understanding of cloud security frameworks, Zero Trust principles, and compliance requirements.
- Proven experience delivering cloud migrations, modernisation, or transformation programmes.
Qualifications
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) preferred.
- Additional Azure certifications (Administrator, Security Engineer, DevOps Engineer) desirable.
- TOGAF, SABSA, or equivalent architecture certification beneficial.
- Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent industry experience.
Key Behaviours
- Strategic and solution-focused mindset.
- Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- Collaborative approach across engineering, security, and business teams.
- Commitment to continuous improvement, governance, and operational excellence.
