Interim Solutions Architect & Product Owner - Hosting 260709-MT-003

We are seeking an experienced Interim Solutions Architect (Hosting) who will also fulfill the role of Product Owner Hosting. In this dual-capacity role, you will be responsible for the continuous development, continuity, and optimization of our on-premise and cloud hosting services. You will guide the development agenda, set priorities, and seamlessly connect strategy, technology, and execution.

We are explicitly not looking for a traditional, non-technical Product Owner. Instead, we require a technically authoritative Solutions Architect who can provide a clear vision and direction for service delivery based on deep substantive expertise. You must combine a solid infrastructure background with in-depth knowledge of cloud architecture, possessing the unique ability to translate high-level architectural choices into concrete, implemented solutions., As the owner of the Hosting service, you will develop a roadmap for the hybrid infrastructure while remaining actively involved in hands-on realization. Your core responsibilities include:

• Service Ownership & Roadmap: Take full ownership of the Hosting service; develop and realize a comprehensive vision and roadmap for both on-premise and cloud infrastructure.
• Architectural Direction: Provide clear direction for architectural choices, technical standards, and platform development while monitoring the coherence between architecture, management, security, governance, and user needs.
• Cloud Design & Automation: Design, build, test, and implement automated cloud solutions utilizing modern cloud principles and standards, including Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and CI/CD pipelines.
• Azure Platform Optimization: Drive the further development of Azure platform services, robust cloud governance, and security compliance frameworks.
• Migration & Transition Management: Guide complex migrations and transitions to the Cloud, ensuring solutions are effectively integrated and adopted within the organization.
• Backlog Management: Prioritize developments and technical requirements within the product backlog to ensure high-value delivery.
• Stakeholder & Technical Collaboration: Act as a key technical sparring partner for engineers, fellow architects, business stakeholders, and the IT Manager.
• Documentation & Standards: Secure institutional knowledge by maintaining rigorous technical documentation and standardization policies.

We are looking for a professional who has organically evolved from traditional infrastructure engineering into an experienced Cloud Solutions Architect, and who excels at taking full responsibility for complex enterprise environments., * Education: Bachelor's degree in ICT, Computer Science, or an equivalent level achieved through demonstrable professional experience.

• Experience: A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience working within enterprise infrastructure and cloud environments.
• Infrastructure Background: Strong foundations in networking, operating systems (Windows and Linux platforms), and enterprise systems management.
• Cloud Architecture: Explicit, demonstrable experience with Azure Landing Zones, hybrid cloud environments, cloud migrations, and enterprise cloud architectures (IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS).
• Automation & DevOps: Proven experience with Infrastructure as Code (e.g., Terraform, ARM, or Bicep), CI/CD workflows, Azure DevOps, and automation tooling.
• Security & Governance: Deep knowledge of security baselines, identity management, and compliance standards within cloud environments.
• Certifications: Active Microsoft certifications such as AZ-104 (Azure Administrator) and/or AZ-305 (Azure Infrastructure Solutions Architect) are highly preferred.

Competencies & Soft Skills

• Technical Leadership: A highly skilled professional capable of providing authoritative, data-driven direction to engineering teams.
• Strategic Translation: Ability to effortlessly translate high-level business strategy into concrete technical solutions.
• Communication & Stakeholder Management: Excellent interpersonal skills with a proven track record of explaining complex technical subjects simply and persuasively to non-technical stakeholders.
• Agile Mindset: Experience acting in a Product Owner capacity or holding agile certifications (e.g., PSPO I/II) is a strong plus, though technical architecture expertise remains the decisive factor.
• Proactive & Independent: A self-starter who looks beyond mere administration to actively shape the future of hosting infrastructure.