Enterprise Architect - Microsoft

A leading global specialty insurance platform is seeking an experienced Enterprise Architect to join its growing technology function. This organisation operates a highly collaborative, technology-driven environment where engineering, actuarial and underwriting teams work closely together to build bespoke systems that support complex global risk portfolios.

This role would suit an Enterprise Architect who has progressed from a hands-on technical background such as Software Engineering or Solution Architecture, particularly within the Microsoft ecosystem.

You will play a key role in shaping the organisation's technology architecture vision, ensuring business requirements are translated into scalable, secure and high-performing technical solutions across a modern cloud and on-prem technology landscape.

The environment is primarily Microsoft-focused, with systems hosted across Azure and on-prem infrastructure, and includes bespoke underwriting, analytics and operational platforms.

The Role

As Enterprise Architect, you will be responsible for designing and governing the organisation's technical architecture while guiding engineering teams on best practice, technology selection and system design.

You will work closely with technology leadership, engineering teams and business stakeholders to ensure the architecture supports both current operational needs and long-term strategic goals., * Designing and guiding the development of bespoke technology platforms and applications that support core business operations

• Evaluating and recommending third-party technology solutions where appropriate
• Translating business requirements into scalable technical architecture designs
• Providing architectural direction across development teams including design reviews, integration patterns and API strategy
• Defining and maintaining enterprise architecture models including logical, physical, security and data architectures
• Ensuring architecture incorporates non-functional requirements such as scalability, performance, security and maintainability
• Driving long-term technology strategy, simplification and governance across the technology estate
• Working closely with infrastructure teams to ensure environments are fit for purpose and future-ready
• Maintaining clear documentation of architecture decisions and standards
• Supporting roadmap planning, solution estimation and technical prioritisation
• Ensuring technical quality and compliance across internal and third-party engineering deliveries

Technical Environment

The technology landscape is heavily centred around the Microsoft stack, with a combination of modern cloud services and bespoke engineering platforms.

Key technologies include:

• C#/.NET Core
• Microsoft Azure (PaaS, SaaS, IaaS)
• SQL Server
• Web APIs and API governance
• Microservices architecture
• Containerisation and orchestration
• Message queue technologies such as RabbitMQ or Kafka
• Entity Framework and ORM frameworks
• Power BI/SSRS
• Hybrid cloud and on-prem infrastructure

• 10+ years experience in software architecture, enterprise architecture or solution architecture roles
• Strong technical background in software engineering or development architecture
• Extensive experience working within the Microsoft technology ecosystem
• Deep understanding of modern architecture patterns, including microservices and domain-driven design
• Experience designing large-scale enterprise systems
• Experience working with cloud platforms (Azure preferred)
• Strong understanding of API architecture and integration patterns
• Experience working in complex enterprise technology environments
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to communicate technical strategy clearly

Desirable Experience

• Architecture certifications such as TOGAF, Archimate or Azure Solutions Architect
• Experience migrating on-prem platforms to cloud
• Financial services or insurance sector experience
• Experience working with large data platforms or data warehousing
• Exposure to SOX compliance or regulated technology environments
• Experience with machine learning or AI platforms