Lead Cloud Architect - GCP

Lead Cloud Architect - Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

SC Cleared or Previously SC Cleared | UK Public Sector | Contract

We're looking for an experienced Lead Cloud Architect to take ownership of the assessment and future-state design of a large-scale Google Cloud Platform environment within a major UK public-sector organisation.

This is a senior architecture opportunity with significant influence over how the organisation's GCP estate is structured, governed, secured and operated.

You'll lead the current-state assessment, define the target architecture and cloud operating model, and help establish the foundations for the organisation to take greater ownership of its cloud platform.

We're particularly interested in architects who combine deep GCP expertise with strong stakeholder engagement and experience working across complex enterprise environments.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the assessment of the existing GCP estate, identifying architectural, governance and operational improvements.

• Define the target GCP landing zone, including organisation hierarchy, folder structures and governance.

• Design enterprise-scale GCP organisation policies, IAM and role-based access controls.

• Establish the future cloud operating model, including ownership, responsibilities, controls and service management.

• Develop an identity strategy covering Cloud Identity, Workforce Identity Federation and Microsoft Entra ID integration.

• Define security architecture aligned with Secure by Design, NCSC guidance and the Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF).

• Design FinOps governance, billing hierarchies, cost allocation and chargeback models.

• Develop an operational transition model to support the transfer of platform ownership and administration.

• Provide architectural leadership and assurance throughout discovery and target-state design.

• Engage senior technical and business stakeholders to influence architecture and governance decisions.

Essential experience

• Active or lapsed SC clearance

• Significant enterprise or cloud architecture experience within complex organisations.

• Deep hands-on understanding of Google Cloud Platform, particularly governance and organisation management.

• Proven experience designing enterprise GCP landing zones and cloud operating models.

• Strong knowledge of GCP IAM, organisation policies, folder structures and identity management.

• Experience delivering cloud security architecture within UK government or regulated environments.

• Strong understanding of Secure by Design, NCSC guidance and CAF principles.

• Experience designing FinOps and cloud cost-management frameworks.

• Excellent stakeholder engagement, technical leadership and architecture governance skills.

Security clearance

Active SC clearance is desirable, but candidates with previously held SC clearance are also encouraged to apply.

If your SC clearance has expired or lapsed, we can explore reactivation or a new clearance application, subject to eligibility, security checks and client approval.