Systems Architect

Systems Architect

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Doherty Associates

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead Azure migration projects and design innovative cloud solutions.
  • Company: Doherty Associates, a trusted IT solutions provider for over 30 years.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, 34 days leave, private medical insurance, and training incentives.
  • Other info: Mentorship opportunities and a supportive work culture await you.
  • Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of cloud technology.
  • Qualifications: Extensive Azure experience and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

About Doherty Associates

Doherty Associates (DA) has delivered high quality IT solutions for over 30 years to world renowned, international clients. We provide a broad range of consulting and managed services to a loyal and growing client base, specialising in risk focused sectors such as private equity and legal, where security, resilience, and service quality are paramount. We are a highly accredited Microsoft partner, holding five Microsoft Solutions Partner Designations, alongside ISO27001, ISO9001, and Cyber Essentials Plus certifications. Our customers rely on us for specialist expertise and innovation across cloud and hybrid infrastructure, modern workplace, data and BI, cyber security, governance, and compliance. We have built a strong reputation for keeping our promises and delivering consistently high-quality outcomes.

About The Role

This is a senior leadership role suited to an experienced technical professional who is passionate about helping organisations transform and evolve their technology platforms and services. As a Systems Architect, you will provide technical leadership and design authority across Microsoft cloud services, with a strong focus on Azure. You will act as a technical author and consultant, supporting presales and project delivery, across the full project lifecycle to ensure solutions meet both business and technical requirements. You will bring deep expertise in designing and delivering enterprise‑scale cloud and hybrid infrastructure solutions, including Azure IaaS, Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), Azure Arc, and monitoring platforms.

Responsibilities

  • Technical Delivery
    • Act as the technical design authority for Azure migration and transformation projects.
    • Work with subject matter experts and promote collaborative decision making and shared technical ownership.
    • Design and deliver Azure solutions, producing clear, well governed migration and implementation plans aligned to best practices and customer standards.
    • Lead the design and implementation of Azure Virtual Desktop solutions, including sizing, configuration, identity integration, and security.
    • Own end to end technical delivery, including planning, build, testing, deployment, and operational handover.
    • Mentor and guide delivery teams to ensure high quality outcomes and consistent technical standards.
    • Work closely with Project Managers to ensure effective coordination and smooth transition to operational support teams.
  • Pre-sales
    • Engage with customers to understand business objectives, technical requirements, and constraints.
    • Lead and contribute to customer workshops and technical assessments focused on Azure migration and modernisation strategies.
    • Provide technical leadership during presales activities, including solution design, estimates, and peer reviews.
    • Collaborate with Enterprise Architects to ensure solutions align with customer strategy and long‑term architectural goals.
  • Architecture, Standards & Professional Practice
    • Act as a visible senior technical professional within the organisation, supporting onboarding, mentoring, and skills development of engineers.
    • Stay current with Azure platform developments, particularly in migration tooling, automation, DevOps practices, and governance frameworks.
    • Apply enterprise scale Azure architecture principles to deliver secure, compliant, and scalable solutions, proactively managing risk and stakeholder expectations to maximise business value.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

  • Extensive hands‑on experience delivering Azure migration and transformation projects, including VMware‑to‑Azure transitions.
  • Strong expertise in Azure IaaS, networking, identity (Active Directory / Entra ID), and automation using PowerShell, Bicep, and/or Terraform.
  • Solid understanding of Azure networking and architecture patterns, including Private Endpoints, Virtual WAN, hub and spoke, and Azure Landing Zone (ALZ) modules.
  • Experience designing and delivering Azure Virtual Desktop solutions at scale.
  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage confidently with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
  • Experience with Azure Local design and migration planning, including VMware‑to‑Azure transition strategies, and/or hands‑on delivery of Azure Virtual Desktop environments would be highly advantageous.
  • Fluent English.

Preferred Microsoft Certifications (one Or More)

  • Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ 305)
  • Azure Administrator Associate (AZ 104)
  • Azure Virtual Desktop Specialty (AZ 140)
  • DevOps Engineer Expert (AZ 400)
  • Cybersecurity Architect Expert (SC 100)
  • Identity and Access Administrator (SC 300)
  • Data Engineering (DP 203)

About The Person

  • A professional, consultative individual with strong leadership and influencing skills.
  • Highly analytical and detail oriented, with a passion for solving complex technical challenges.
  • Collaborative and supportive, with a genuine commitment to mentoring and knowledge sharing.
  • Curious, proactive, and motivated to stay ahead of Azure innovation and best practice.
  • Patient and committed to coaching, mentoring and actively sharing knowledge with others.
  • Resilient.

What We Offer In Return

  • Basic salary plus performance bonus.
  • 34 days of annual leave (incl. 8 UK bank holidays and a day off on your birthday).
  • Incentives for achieving Microsoft accreditations.
  • Enhanced family‑friendly benefit schemes including company sick pay.
  • Sponsored training and development and where applicable to the role, a technical exams incentive scheme.
  • Private medical insurance and Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Income protection and life insurance.
  • Company Pension scheme.

Systems Architect employer: Doherty Associates

Doherty Associates is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a competitive salary alongside a performance bonus and an impressive 34 days of annual leave. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and mentorship, ensuring that as a Systems Architect, you will not only lead transformative projects but also have access to sponsored training and development opportunities, making it a rewarding environment for technical professionals passionate about Azure solutions.
Doherty Associates

Contact Detail:

Doherty Associates Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Systems Architect

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the industry. Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who works at Doherty Associates. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! If you’ve got a portfolio or examples of your work, bring them along to interviews. Demonstrating your expertise in Azure solutions and architecture can really set you apart from the crowd.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky questions! Research common interview questions for Systems Architects and practice your responses. We want you to feel confident discussing your experience with Azure migration and transformation projects.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Doherty Associates team.

We think you need these skills to ace Systems Architect

Azure Migration and Transformation
Azure IaaS
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)
Networking
Identity Management (Active Directory / Entra ID)
Automation (PowerShell, Bicep, Terraform)
Azure Architecture Patterns
Technical Leadership
Communication Skills
Project Lifecycle Management
Risk Management
Mentoring and Coaching
Collaboration
Analytical Skills
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Systems Architect role. Highlight your experience with Azure and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our team. Be sure to mention specific experiences that relate to the job description.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical expertise! Mention your hands-on experience with Azure, VMware transitions, and any relevant certifications. We love seeing candidates who are proud of their skills.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!

How to prepare for a job interview at Doherty Associates

✨Know Your Azure Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your Azure knowledge before the interview. Understand the key services like Azure IaaS, Azure Virtual Desktop, and how they fit into enterprise-scale solutions. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these technologies and how you've applied them in past projects.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Systems Architect, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've led technical teams or projects, especially in collaborative environments. Highlight your mentoring experiences and how you've guided others to achieve high-quality outcomes.

✨Engage with Business Objectives

Doherty Associates values understanding business needs alongside technical requirements. Be prepared to discuss how you've engaged with clients to align technology solutions with their business goals. This shows that you can think beyond just the tech and understand the bigger picture.

✨Stay Current with Trends

The tech landscape is always evolving, especially with Azure. Make sure you're up-to-date with the latest developments, migration tools, and best practices. Mention any recent certifications or training you've completed, as this demonstrates your commitment to continuous learning and staying ahead in the field.

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