Principal Architect - Azure

Define enterprise cloud, AI and platform strategies aligned to customer business objectives.

Lead architecture across large-scale transformation programmes, ensuring solutions are secure, scalable, supportable and commercially sound.

Establish Azure reference architectures, platform standards, governance frameworks and best-practice patterns.

Guide the design and implementation of agentic platforms, AI-enabled business workflows and emerging AI technologies.

Evaluate emerging technologies and identify opportunities to improve business outcomes, productivity and innovation.

Provide architecture assurance across cloud, security, networking, data, application and AI domains.

Establish architectural standards that ensure solutions can be successfully delivered, operated, maintained and evolved over time.

Support executive stakeholders through strategic advisory engagements, technology roadmaps and investment planning.

Contribute to thought leadership, architecture communities, innovation initiatives and reusable intellectual property.

Extensive experience in Enterprise Architecture, Principal Architecture or senior technology leadership roles.

Proven experience developing and governing enterprise technology strategies across cloud, infrastructure, security, networking, applications and data platforms.

Deep expertise in Microsoft Azure and modern cloud architecture practices, including governance, landing zones, identity, security, automation and operating models.

Demonstrated experience leading enterprise AI initiatives and AI platform adoption within large and complex organisations.

Strong knowledge of Azure AI Foundry, Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Search, large language models and modern AI architecture patterns.

Experience designing enterprise AI solutions using retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), vector search and AI orchestration patterns.

Experience establishing AI governance frameworks, responsible AI controls, model lifecycle strategies and enterprise AI operating models.

Experience designing or overseeing agentic solutions, AI-enabled automation platforms and intelligent business workflows.

Strong understanding of cloud and AI security, resilience, observability, compliance and risk management.

Proven ability to establish architecture standards, governance frameworks, reference architectures and strategic technology roadmaps.

Experience leading architects and multidisciplinary teams across complex programmes and transformation initiatives.

Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior executives, technical leaders and delivery teams.

A passion for emerging technologies and the ability to translate innovation into business value.

Experience establishing enterprise AI Centres of Excellence or AI governance functions.

Experience with multi-cloud architecture and hybrid cloud operating models.

Experience with Kubernetes, platform engineering and modern cloud-native platforms.

Experience with GitHub Enterprise, GitHub Copilot and AI-assisted software development practices.

Knowledge of FinOps, AI cost management and cloud financial governance.

Experience contributing to industry standards, technical communities, advisory boards or thought leadership initiatives.

Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure AI Engineer Associate, Azure Security Engineer Associate, TOGAF or equivalent architecture certifications.

A relevant degree in Computer Science, Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.