Azure Architect

The role will also provide practical hands-on technical leadership across key programmes such as Azure Virtual Desktop, Microsoft 365, cloud governance, automation, infrastructure modernisation and the reduction of technical debt. By retaining critical knowledge internally, the role will reduce reliance on external consultants and contractors while improving delivery confidence, operational control and long-term sustainability.

Key Accountabilities & Role Requirements: 

• Lead the design, development and governance of Azure cloud architecture across WSI, ensuring solutions are secure, resilient, scalable, cost-effective and aligned to enterprise technology standards.
• Provide senior technical leadership across Azure infrastructure, Microsoft 365, Azure Virtual Desktop, identity, security, networking, storage, backup, disaster recovery and automation services.
• Support WSI’s cloud-first modernisation strategy by reducing technical debt, accelerating migration from legacy platforms and enabling greater adoption of Azure-native services.
• Establish and maintain cloud architecture standards, design patterns, guardrails and governance controls, including appropriate use of Azure Policy, identity controls, security baselines and infrastructure-as-code practices.
• Work closely with Infrastructure, Architecture, Security, Service Delivery, Change, Business Change and Global IT teams to ensure cloud solutions meet business, operational, regulatory and security requirements.
• Provide architecture and engineering input into strategic programmes, including Azure Virtual Desktop, Citrix transition, infrastructure transformation, data platform integration, AI enablement and application modernisation.
• Improve operational resilience by supporting disaster recovery planning, backup validation, business continuity requirements, monitoring, alerting, incident response and service transition activities.
• Support cost optimisation across the Azure estate, identifying opportunities to improve consumption management, remove waste, optimise resource sizing and improve FinOps maturity.
• Reduce reliance on external consultants and managed service providers by retaining critical Azure and Microsoft platform knowledge internally and building capability across the wider infrastructure team.
• Produce clear architecture documentation, design decisions, technical roadmaps, standards, runbooks and knowledge articles to support operational handover and long-term service ownership.
• Provide technical assurance for changes, projects and supplier deliverables, ensuring designs are fit for purpose and risks are clearly understood, documented and managed.
• Support security architecture and compliance requirements, including cloud control improvements, privileged access, conditional access, endpoint security, data protection, vulnerability management and regulatory expectations such as DORA where applicable.
• Act as a trusted technical advisor to senior stakeholders, translating complex cloud architecture topics into clear recommendations, options and risks for business and executive decision-making.
• Mentor and support engineers and operational teams, helping to raise internal cloud capability, improve engineering standards and promote a culture of shared ownership and continuous improvement.

Skills & Competencies Required:

• Strong Azure architecture and engineering capability across compute, networking, storage, identity, monitoring, security, backup, disaster recovery and platform governance.
• Strong Microsoft 365 and modern workplace knowledge, including Entra ID, Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, Intune, Defender and endpoint management.
• Experience designing and implementing Azure Virtual Desktop, Citrix, Windows 365 or other virtual desktop and application delivery platforms.
• Ability to design secure, scalable and resilient cloud solutions using recognised architecture principles, patterns and operational standards.
• Strong understanding of cloud security, identity and access management, privileged access, conditional access, vulnerability management and Microsoft Defender capabilities.
• Practical experience with automation, scripting and infrastructure-as-code approaches, including PowerShell, Terraform, DevOps pipelines or equivalent tooling.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess complex technical environments and define pragmatic, risk-based recommendations.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to operate effectively across internal teams, external suppliers and global technology functions, balancing local WSI requirements with enterprise alignment.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of Azure cost optimisation, consumption management and the importance of reducing unnecessary third-party dependency.
• Strong documentation skills, including architecture diagrams, design documents, standards, runbooks, knowledge articles and decision records.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise effectively, manage competing demands and provide calm technical leadership in high-pressure situations.
• Collaborative working style aligned to WSI’s values of excellence, ambition and collaboration.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management. #wspi