Enterprise Architect

Enterprise Architect - Data Lake and Finance Systems - Outside IR35 - Glasgow/Remote - £650+ per day - 3 to 5-month contract

We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Architect to provide strategic leadership across a complex technology environment, ensuring platforms, systems, data and integrations are aligned to organisational goals and future growth.
The role will define and govern enterprise architecture principles, establish architecture standards and target-state designs, and provide oversight across cloud, data, integration, security, AI and automation initiatives. Working closely with business leaders, delivery teams and suppliers, the Enterprise Architect will help drive technology modernisation while reducing complexity, managing risk and improving long-term value from technology investments.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and maintain enterprise architecture strategy, principles, standards and roadmaps.
• Provide architectural leadership across platforms, applications, data, cloud and integration services.
• Establish architecture governance, including review boards, decision-making processes and design assurance.
• Develop target-state architectures and reference models that support organisational priorities.
• Guide strategic programmes such as finance system transformation, data platform development, AI adoption and automation initiatives.
• Provide architectural direction for Microsoft-based environments including Azure, Microsoft 365, Power Platform and integration technologies.
• Identify and address architectural risks, technical debt and duplication.
• Work with stakeholders, delivery teams and suppliers to ensure architecture is embedded throughout procurement, design and delivery.
• Lead and develop a small team of specialist technology professionals.
• Manage technology platform and service budgets of approximately £500k-£1m.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in Enterprise Architecture within complex organisations.
• Strong background designing architectures across business systems, cloud platforms, data environments and integrations.
• Experience working within Microsoft-centric ecosystems, including Azure, Microsoft 365, Power Platform and modern data platforms.
• Deep understanding of integration patterns, interoperability and enterprise data flows.
• Experience establishing architecture governance and assurance processes.
• Ability to communicate complex architectural concepts to senior non-technical stakeholders.
• Knowledge of security, compliance and risk considerations in enterprise environments.
• Experience supporting large-scale transformation and technology modernisation programmes.

Desirable Experience

• Knowledge of Enterprise Architecture frameworks such as TOGAF or equivalent.
• Experience with AI-enabled services, analytics and enterprise data platforms.
• Experience defining architectural operating models and building internal architecture capability.
• Experience supporting ERP, finance transformation or large-scale digital programmes.

Key Deliverables

• Enterprise Architecture framework, principles and standards.
• Architecture governance model and Architecture Review Board.
• Target-state architectures and technology roadmaps.
• Architecture repository and Architecture Decision Record (ADR) framework.
• Architectural support for strategic transformation initiatives.
• Mentoring and capability development for internal technical teams.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Enterprise Architect to shape an organisation's technology strategy, establish architecture best practice and support major transformation programmes.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at (url removed)