Senior Technical Architect (Azure)

Job summary

Across government, cloud technology underpins the delivery of secure, scalable and modern digital services. As organisations continue to accelerate cloud adoption, strong technical architecture is essential to ensure platforms are resilient, compliant and capable of supporting long-term transformation. At Ofgem, architecture plays a vital role in enabling the digital services, data capabilities and operational systems that support our mission to protect energy consumers and drive the transition to Net Zero.

Ofgem is on an ambitious transformation journey. Within the Digital, Data and Security Services (DDSS) directorate, we are modernising our technology estate and expanding our use of Microsoft Azure as a strategic platform. This includes delivering secure, scalable and cost-effective cloud solutions that support digital services, data platforms and organisational change across the business.

As a Senior Technical Architect (Azure), you will lead the design and assurance of Azure-based solutions across a diverse portfolio of programmes and services. You will provide architectural direction, shape technical strategies and ensure Azure environments are secure, scalable, resilient and aligned with enterprise architecture principles.

Working closely with architects, engineers, delivery teams and senior stakeholders, you will help drive consistency, governance and best practice across Ofgem's cloud landscape, while supporting the successful delivery of critical digital transformation initiatives.

This is a highly influential role requiring deep Azure expertise, strong architectural capability and the ability to balance technical excellence with organisational objectives.

Job description

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the design of secure, scalable and cost-effective solutions on Microsoft Azure
• Providing technical assurance and architectural oversight across Azure projects and programmes
• Defining and promoting architecture standards, patterns and best practices
• Supporting Azure governance, compliance and cloud adoption frameworks
• Working with delivery teams to integrate Azure services across enterprise and hybrid environments
• Applying enterprise architecture frameworks to support consistent design and governance
• Identifying technical risks and ensuring appropriate mitigations are implemented
• Creating reusable architecture patterns, standards and documentation
• Influencing architectural decision-making and contributing to governance forums
• Mentoring technical architects and engineers, helping build Azure capability across DDSS

We are looking for:

A highly experienced technical architect with a strong track record of designing and delivering Azure solutions within large or complex environments. You will be comfortable operating at both strategic and technical levels, providing leadership, challenge and guidance to stakeholders across the organisation.

You will demonstrate:

• Strong experience designing and delivering solutions on Microsoft Azure
• Knowledge of Azure security frameworks, compliance standards and identity management
• Experience defining and applying governance models for cloud adoption and optimisation
• Strong understanding of enterprise architecture principles and frameworks such as TOGAF
• Experience using architectural modelling tools and techniques, including ArchiMate, UML or equivalent
• The ability to provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills
• A proactive approach to identifying risks, opportunities and continuous improvement

Relevant certifications are expected (or achievable within six months), including:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• BCS Enterprise Architecture Certification or equivalent architectural qualification

Experience with Infrastructure as Code, DevOps practices, government standards or regulated environments would be beneficial.

This is an opportunity

to play a key role in shaping Ofgem's Azure architecture capability and cloud strategy. You will help ensure critical platforms and services are secure, scalable and fit for the future, supporting digital transformation initiatives that make a real difference to consumers and the UK's evolving energy system.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Strong background in design and delivery of solutions on Microsoft Azure (Lead Criteria)
• Familiarity with Azure security frameworks, compliance standards, and identity management practices. (Lead Criteria)
• Experience in definition and application of governance models for Azure cloud adoption and optimisation.
• Ability to provide technical direction, collaboration, and support for multi-disciplinary IT teams and architects.
• Proficiency in architectural modelling tools such as Archi and frameworks, such as ArchiMate, UML, or equivalent, with the ability to create and maintain architectural artefacts.

Holds or can obtain the following certifications or equivalent within 6 months:

• Formal Architectural Qualification such as BCS EA Certification or equivalent.
• Cloud Architecture Certification: Microsoft Azure Solution Architect (Expert).

Desirable Criteria

• Experience with Infrastructure as Code and DevOps practices.
• Awareness of government digital standards and assurance processes.

#LI-DNI

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• You will also be asked to take part in a Presentation. Details of the presentation will be disclosed at interview.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £49,452, OFGEM contributes £14,326 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

Things you need to know

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