At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to shape the architectural future of a major fitness brand.
- Company: Join one of the UK's leading fitness brands in a dynamic, tech-driven environment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £130k, bonuses, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Exciting opportunities for career growth in a modern, ambitious workplace.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of technology transformation impacting nearly 1 million users.
- Qualifications: Strong background in architecture with cloud-native and distributed systems experience.
The predicted salary is between 110000 - 130000 € per year.
Hybrid, London (3 days in office, South London) £110,000 - £130,000 + bonus + benefits
We’re partnered with one of the UK’s leading fitness brands on a newly created Lead Architect hire, as they build out an Architecture team function internally. This isn’t a “maintain the estate” architecture role. They’re in the middle of a major technology transformation across customer platforms, memberships, integrations and mobile experience, all within a business serving close to 1 million active users across 250+ physical locations nationwide.
The scale is genuinely interesting:
- High-volume customer journeys
- Mobile-first member experiences
- Real-time integrations with third-party platforms and connected devices
- Operational telemetry and monitoring systems
- Future-facing work around AI
Reporting directly to the CTO, you will:
- Operate strategically, managing a team of 3-4 other Architects
- Remain hands-on and technically credible
- Be responsible for shaping the architectural blueprint across the business, defining governance, tooling, standards, and long-term target state architecture
- Bring Applied AI into the systems of the business to automate internal or customer-facing solutions
- Influence both executive-level technology direction and the reality of engineering delivery teams
- Drive architectural governance and technical direction
- Bring strong cloud-native and distributed systems experience
- Understand modern B2C digital products, subscriptions, e-commerce, or app-led businesses
What they’re looking for:
- Strong Lead Architecture background within scaled digital businesses
- Experience building or evolving architecture functions
- Deep Microsoft Azure OR AWS architecture experience (They use Azure: AKS, App Services, Event Hubs, API Management etc.)
- Strong distributed systems and cloud-native architecture knowledge
- Experience designing high-availability, event-driven systems
- Ability to operate across business, engineering and product stakeholders
- Previous people leadership experience
- Awareness of modern architecture patterns: DDD, Event-driven systems, CQRS, Hexagonal Architecture, Microservices
- Proven experience in driving AI into workflows, teams, and systems
- Understanding of observability, security and compliance considerations
- Ideally some exposure to mobile / customer-facing platforms
The environment:
- Re-platforming from monolithic systems into event-driven microservices
- Large-scale backend and distributed systems challenges
- Building toward domain-driven architecture and greater engineering autonomy
- Stripe payments transformation
- Major data platform evolution into Microsoft Fabric
- A strategic mobile app rebuild likely centred around React Native
- Strong interest in AI-enabled products, DevEx, and applied AI capabilities
The environment itself is modern and ambitious without being overly corporate. They’ve invested heavily into technology over the last 2 years, particularly across app and customer experience, and this role will play a major part in defining what the future technology organisation looks like.
Lead Architect - Up to £130k in City of London employer: Few&Far
As a Lead Architect at one of the UK’s leading fitness brands, you will thrive in a dynamic and innovative environment that prioritises technology transformation and employee growth. With a strong focus on modern architecture and AI integration, the company fosters a collaborative culture where your contributions directly impact nearly 1 million active users. Enjoy competitive compensation, a hybrid work model, and the opportunity to shape the future of technology within a forward-thinking organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Architect - Up to £130k in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at companies you're interested in. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to architecture and technology transformation. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've led architectural changes or implemented new technologies. Real-world examples will make you memorable to hiring managers.
✨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, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Architect - Up to £130k in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead Architect role. Highlight your cloud-native architecture experience and any leadership roles you've had, as these are key for us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background in digital businesses makes you a perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your experience with AI and modern architecture patterns!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, be specific about your technical expertise, especially with Azure or AWS. We want to see how you’ve applied your knowledge in real-world scenarios, so don’t hold back on the details!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity in our growing team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Few&Far
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Azure and distributed systems. Brush up on your knowledge of event-driven architectures and microservices, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a team of architects, be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences. Share specific examples of how you've influenced technology direction and driven architectural governance in past roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in architecture transformations and how you applied AI to improve workflows or customer experiences.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the fitness industry and the company’s position within it. Being able to discuss how your architectural decisions can enhance customer journeys and operational efficiency will show that you understand the bigger picture.