Lead Cloud Architect - GCP/AWS - SC Cleared

Lead Cloud Architect - GCP/AWS - SC Cleared

GCP-focused opportunity | Experienced AWS Cloud Architects encouraged to apply

We are seeking an experienced Lead Cloud Architect to lead the assessment and future-state design of a large-scale Google Cloud Platform (GCP) environment within UK central government.

Whilst this engagement is focused on GCP, we welcome applications from experienced AWS Cloud Architects who have a working knowledge of Google Cloud and are keen to expand their GCP expertise.

We recognise that enterprise cloud architecture principles, including landing zones, identity and access management, security, governance and operating models, are highly transferable between cloud providers.

The role will focus on defining the target GCP architecture, governance framework and cloud operating model, supporting the transition of platform ownership and administration into the organisation.

You'll provide architectural leadership throughout the discovery, working alongside experienced cloud engineers and stakeholders to assess the current environment, validate technical approaches and shape the future-state platform.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the current-state assessment of the GCP estate, identifying architectural, governance and operational improvements.

• Define the future-state GCP landing zone, organisation hierarchy, folder structure and governance model.

• Design enterprise-scale cloud governance, organisation policies, IAM and role-based access controls, applying relevant AWS or GCP architectural experience.

• Define the cloud operating model, including platform ownership, responsibilities, controls, service management and operational governance.

• Develop an identity and access management strategy covering GCP Cloud Identity, Workforce Identity Federation and integration with Microsoft Entra ID.

• Define security architecture aligned to Secure by Design, NCSC guidance and the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF).

• Design FinOps governance, billing hierarchies, cost allocation and chargeback approaches.

• Produce an operational transition model supporting the transfer of platform ownership and administration.

• Provide architectural leadership and assurance throughout discovery and target-state definition.