Sr Cloud Solution Architect

About the role

In this role, you will be responsible for architecting enterprise cloud solutions, providing strategic direction for cloud adoption, ensuring scalability, reliability, security, and cost‑optimization, primarily leveraging the Microsoft Azure platform. This role requires a strategic mindset, deep technical expertise with cloud technologies, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams and stay up to date with emerging cloud technologies and architectural patterns.

• Design and develop scalable, high‑performance, and cost‑effective cloud solution architectures and strategies. Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including development, operations, and business stakeholders, to ensure cloud solution designs align with business objectives and technical requirements.
• Define standards and create detailed technical specifications and documentation.
• Define cloud adoption frameworks, governance models, and best practices for cloud consumption.
• Design and oversee the implementation of seamless integration patterns between on‑premises data centre resources and the Microsoft Azure cloud environment.
• Ensure smooth transitions, adherence to architectural best practices, and industry standards for hybrid and potential multi‑cloud setups.

• Architect integration solutions to connect Azure services with existing enterprise systems, third‑party applications, and SaaS platforms.
• Define the Dev Ops strategy and guide platform automations, focusing on Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using tools such as Terraform, to streamline cloud operations.

• Monitor and analyze cloud resource utilisation to identify opportunities for cost savings.
• Establish and enforce cost management practices and tools to ensure efficient use of cloud resources aligned with budget requirements.
• Provide recommendations and implement strategies to optimise cloud expenditure while maintaining performance and reliability.

• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship, fostering a culture of continuous learning, technical excellence, and best‑practice adoption.
• Coordinate with partners and vendors for incident resolution, problem management, and project execution related to cloud architecture.

• Stay informed about industry trends, new technology features, and emerging solutions within the cloud ecosystem.
• Proactively evaluate and recommend new technologies and approaches for enhanced integrated cloud solutions, identifying opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage.

• Degree in (business) Informatics, Computer Science or a similar field.
• Microsoft Certified:
  Azure Solutions Architect Expert.
• Microsoft Certified:
  Azure Security Engineer Associate.
• Proven experience in designing and implementing complex, scalable, and secure cloud solutions on Microsoft Azure for enterprise‑grade solutions (e.g. Cloud Adoption Framework, Well‑Architected Framework).
• Hands‑on experience with a broad range of Microsoft Azure cloud services (IaaS, PaaS, Networking, Security, Data Services).
• Strong understanding of cloud security, compliance, governance, and best practices for enterprise environments.
• Expertise in Infrastructure as Code (e.g. Terraform, ARM) and architectural principles for CI/CD.
• Proven experience designing hub‑and‑spoke topologies, cross‑premises networking solutions in a hybrid‑cloud environment (DNS, routing, VPN, Express Route, Firewall).
• Demonstrated commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and strong analytical thinking.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and leadership skills, with the ability to articulate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience with SAP solutions, containerisation principles (e.g. Kubernetes, Docker), identity management, and data analytics and AI (e.g. Fabric, Databricks, Foundry) is a plus.
• Additional certifications related to other cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud), or security (e.g. CISSP or CCSP), The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) are a plus.
• Languages:
  
  English required, German desired, French / Italian / Spanish a plus.