Service Architect

Hiring: Services Architect – Financial Services

Location: Hybrid (2–3 days onsite in London)

Contract Length: 6 Months

IR35 Status: INSIDE IR35

Start Date: ASAP

We're looking for an experienced Services Architect to join a dynamic transformation programme within the financial services sector. This is a pivotal contract role focused on shaping, defining, and governing service architecture across a complex technology and business change landscape.

You'll bring deep experience designing scalable, secure, and cost-effective services—working at the intersection of architecture, delivery, and operations to ensure service components are fit for purpose and align with enterprise strategy.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Define, design, and deliver client operating models and solution-specific service models
• Conduct structured client assessments across service-related domains, including ITSM maturity and managed service provider (MSP) contractual compliance
• Gather and document operational requirements, ensuring traceability through service design, build, and transition phases
• Design and implement operational governance frameworks covering reporting, compliance, risk management, skills, and communications
• Lead organisational design initiatives and support transformation programmes
• Guide clients through MSP transitions, including outsourcing and insourcing engagements
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of the team's service offerings
• Actively promote service offerings to internal account and sales teams
• Develop pre-sales and proposal materials for client engagements
• Provide mentorship and leadership to team members

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 10 years' experience in a service management advisory/consulting role or as a senior client-side stakeholder
• ITIL certification preferred; however, demonstrable, in-depth practical experience is essential
• Experience working with Enterprise Architecture frameworks (e.g. TOGAF) preferred; certification is an advantage
• Strong background in IT operations and the integration of service management tools and processes
• Proven application of service architecture concepts within technical initiatives (e.g. cloud migrations, observability platform integrations)
• Solid understanding of modern technology environments, including cloud platforms and AI infrastructure, alongside traditional IT stacks
• Subject matter expertise in at least one technical domain (e.g. networking, security, observability, or applications) is advantageous

Key Skills and Attributes

• Ability to communicate complex service and operating models clearly and appropriately to diverse audiences, from executive leadership to operational teams
• Highly adaptable, with the ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities without loss of focus
• Confident and credible in technical discussions with both business and engineering stakeholders
• Strong curiosity and enthusiasm for emerging technologies, with a commitment to staying current in the operational and service management space