Principal Architect – Networks, Security & Cloud in London

Reference: 4843562Job ID: 5423881Posted: 2026-11-06Closing date: 2027-02-05Location: LeedsSalary: 85,000-95,000 + Car + Bonus (per annum)Job type: PermanentWorking pattern: Full timeIndustry: Technology & Internet Services / InfrastructureCompany: HaysConsultant: Leanne ThomasHays office: Manchester — 5th Floor, City Tower, Piccadilly PlazaPhone: 0161 870 8181Email: leanne.thomas@hays.comWe’re recruiting for an experienced Principal/Enterprise Architect to take a senior technical leadership role supporting a major customer operating within a highly regulated environment.This is a strategic, customer-facing position where you’ll work closely with senior stakeholders, including CIO level contacts, to shape enterprise architecture, define multi-year technology strategy and develop roadmaps across a complex technology estate. You’ll take ownership of the overall technology direction for the customer, bringing together business priorities, technology strategy and architectural governance.Key responsibilities will include:Developing multi-year technology and solution roadmaps across Networking, Security, Unified Communications, Contact Centre and Cloud.Acting as a trusted technical adviser to senior and C-suite stakeholders.Providing enterprise-level architectural governance and identifying and mitigating technical risks.Providing technical leadership across virtual architecture, engineering and delivery teams.Working closely with commercial and delivery teams to ensure solutions balance customer requirements, technical quality and commercial objectives. What we’re looking forYou’ll need strong Enterprise Architecture experience, but importantly, we're looking for someone with genuine technical credibility rather than a pure process or governance-led EA background.You should have a strong background in one or more of the following areas:Enterprise Networking, including WAN, LAN, Wi-Fi, SD-WAN and network segmentationCybersecurity, including Zero Trust, IAM, SASE, firewalls and secure accessUnified Communications and collaboration technologiesContact Centre technologiesPublic or private Cloud, including Azure, AWS or GCPExposure to technologies such as Cisco, Palo Alto, Microsoft Teams, Avaya, Genesys, Terraform or NetBrain would be advantageous. Experience of architecture or service methodologies such as TOGAF, MBSE, ITIL or DevOps would also be beneficial, alongside previous experience working within banking, financial services, government, critical national infrastructure or another highly regulated environment. In return, you will be rewarded with ongoing career development, car allowance, 15% bonus and an enviable benefits package. Opportunities also exist in Birmingham and London.What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career. #4843562 - Leanne Thomas