Cloud Architect

The Cloud Architect is the senior-most technical authority for cloud computing within Enterprise Architecture, responsible for defining the enterprise cloud strategy, target-state architecture, and long-term technology direction across public, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments. This role owns how cloud platforms, security, networking, identity, data, applications, and automation fit together to support the organization's business, regulatory, and operational objectives. This position establishes the enterprise cloud vision and multi-year roadmap, guiding how cloud technologies are adopted, evolved, and integrated across domains. The Cloud Architect provides architectural leadership across all major cloud initiatives, ensuring consistency, interoperability, and long-term sustainability of the cloud ecosystem. The Cloud Architect maintains active technical involvement through targeted prototyping and architectural experimentation to validate strategy and reduce enterprise risk. Working in close partnership with Principal Cloud Engineers and other domain architects, this role serves as the final arbiter for cross-domain cloud decisions and the primary steward of the organization's cloud architecture.

Enterprise Cloud Architecture

• Define and own the enterprise cloud strategy, target-state architecture, and multi-year roadmap across public, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments.

• Define the enterprise cloud platform portfolio, including core cloud services, shared platforms, and enterprise enablement capabilities.

• Define the enterprise landing zone, tenant, subscription, and network architecture that forms the foundation for all cloud workloads.

• Define the enterprise hybrid and multi-cloud strategy, including coexistence and transition models for on-premise and cloud platforms.

• Establish workload classification, cloud readiness, and hosting models that guide where and how applications and platforms run.

• Evaluate, select, and retire cloud platforms and major services based on technical capabilities, regulatory requirements, and total cost of ownership.

• Define enterprise cost, consumption, and optimization architecture to ensure sustainable cloud adoption. Cross-Domain Cloud Architecture

• Serve as the primary authority for cross-domain cloud architecture decisions spanning application, data, security, AI, and infrastructure domains.

• Define how cloud platforms integrate with enterprise applications, data, analytics, and AI architectures.

• Resolve architectural conflicts and tradeoffs between delivery teams, domain principals, and enterprise stakeholders.

• Ensure architectural consistency, interoperability, and long-term sustainability across cloud initiatives and technology portfolios.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship not available., * 10+ years of progressive experience in cloud engineering, cloud architecture, or infrastructure platform roles, with demonstrated ownership of enterprise-scale cloud strategy and platform design.

• Expertise in cloud architecture and platforms, including Microsoft Azure and hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
• Comprehensive understanding of enterprise-scale cloud architecture, including identity, networking, security, data platforms, application hosting, and automation.
• Expertise in evaluating and selecting cloud platforms, services, and vendors based on technical, financial, and strategic criteria.
• Advanced knowledge of cloud governance, security, compliance, and risk management architectures.
• Strong practical understanding of infrastructure-as-code, automation, and CI/CD principles sufficient to validate architecture and guide engineering teams.
• Strong grounding in non-functional requirements including scalability, resiliency, performance, cost efficiency, observability, and disaster recovery.
• Demonstrated ability to define enterprise technology direction and lead cross-domain architectural decision-making.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to articulate architectural tradeoffs and strategy to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Proven ability to influence and align multiple teams and leaders around a shared cloud strategy and target architecture.
• Ability to balance short-term delivery needs with long-term architectural sustainability and enterprise risk.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills applied to complex, ambiguous, and high-impact technology decisions.
• Continuous learning mindset with the ability to evaluate and apply emerging cloud technologies strategically.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor Principal Engineers and domain architects, developing architectural judgment, technical depth, and alignment across the Enterprise Architecture team.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field relevant to cloud architecture, or
• 15+ years of professional experience in cloud engineering, cloud architecture, or related technical leadership roles in lieu of a formal degree.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert is strongly preferred.

The final salary or hourly wage, as applicable, paid to each candidate/applicant for this position is ultimately dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate's/applicant's qualifications, skills, and level of experience as well as the geographical location of the position.

This position is a contract/temporary role where Hays offers you the opportunity to enroll in full medical benefits, dental benefits, vision benefits, 401K and Life Insurance ($20,000 benefit). Why Hays? You will be working with a professional recruiter who has intimate knowledge of the industry and market trends. Your Hays recruiter will lead you through a thorough screening process in order to understand your skills, experience, needs, and drivers. You will also get support on resume writing, interview tips, and career planning, so when there's a position you really want, you're fully prepared to get it. Nervous about an upcoming interview? Unsure how to write a new resume? Visit the Hays Career Advice section to learn top tips to help you stand out from the crowd when job hunting. Hays is committed to building a thriving culture of diversity that embraces people with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better we serve our candidates, clients, and employees. We are an equal employment opportunity employer, and we comply with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, genetic information, HIV-positive status, as well as any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. One of Hays' guiding principles is 'do the right thing'. We also believe that actions speak louder than words. In that regard, we train our staff on ensuring inclusivity throughout the entire recruitment process and counsel our clients on these principles. If you have any questions about Hays or any of our processes, please contact us. In accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law protecting qualified individuals with known disabilities, Hays will attempt to reasonably accommodate those individuals unless doing so would create an undue hardship on the company. Any qualified applicant or consultant with a disability who requires an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of the job should call or text 813.336.5570.