Lead Cloud Architect - AWS/GCP - SC Cleared

Lead Cloud Architect - AWS/GCP - SC Cleared

We are seeking an experienced Lead Cloud Architect with a strong AWS background to lead the assessment and future-state design of a large-scale cloud estate within a UK public sector environment.

The environment includes Google Cloud Platform (GCP), so candidates should have some understanding or exposure to GCP and importantly, be comfortable applying their AWS cloud architecture experience across platforms and developing their GCP knowledge on the job.

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

Key responsibilities

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

• Define target cloud architecture, landing zone principles, account/project structures and governance models.

• Apply strong AWS architecture and governance experience to inform the future-state design, while working across the existing GCP environment.

• Define enterprise-scale cloud policies, IAM and role-based access controls.

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

• Develop identity and access strategies across cloud platforms, including 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 structures, 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.

• Work collaboratively with engineering and platform teams to translate established AWS/cloud architecture principles into the GCP environment where required.

Essential experience

• Significant enterprise/cloud architecture experience within large and complex organisations.

• Strong AWS architecture experience, ideally including landing zones, multi-account environments, IAM, governance and cloud operating models.

• Experience designing enterprise-scale cloud governance and operating models.

• Strong understanding of cloud IAM, identity, security controls and policy management.

• Experience of cloud security architecture within UK government or other regulated environments.

• Strong understanding of Secure by Design, NCSC and CAF principles.

• Experience designing FinOps and cloud cost-management models.

• Strong stakeholder engagement and architecture governance capability.

• Ability to apply cloud architecture principles across different hyperscalers rather than being limited to a single platform.