Strategic Enterprise Architect: Cloud, AI & Modernisation in Manchester

Strategic Enterprise Architect: Cloud, AI & Modernisation in Manchester

Manchester Full-Time 72702 - 80780 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Shape and deliver cutting-edge technology strategies in a dynamic environment.
  • Company: Join a leading organisation driving digital transformation in the financial sector.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous holiday, and tailored lifestyle benefits.
  • Other info: Flexible hybrid working options and excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by influencing strategic decisions and shaping the future of technology.
  • Qualifications: Experience in enterprise architecture and strong technical expertise in cloud platforms.

The predicted salary is between 72702 - 80780 £ per year.

Salary: £72,702 – £80,780 (subject to Group performance)

Location: Manchester or Birmingham

Hours: Full-Time

Working pattern: Hybrid – 40% (or two days) in Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh office.

Flexible working options: Hybrid Working, Job Share

End date: Tuesday 17 March 2026

About the role

We are seeking a technically accomplished and strategically driven Enterprise Architect to join the Technology Strategy & Insights team. This role is central to shaping and delivering the Group’s Technology Strategy, with a strong emphasis on architectural leadership, engineering depth, and strategic foresight. You will define and drive architectural direction across multiple domains, ensuring it is grounded in internal drivers and responsive to external trends. Operating in a fast‑paced, complex technology environment, much like an internal consultancy, you’ll influence executive decision‑making and help steer the Group’s transformation agenda.

Key Responsibilities

  • Architectural Strategy & Leadership: Define and evolve enterprise architecture strategies that underpin the Group’s technology north star. Develop architecture roadmaps, guardrails, and patterns that enable simplification, modernisation, and composability.
  • Technical Direction & Engineering Depth: Lead the formulation of technical direction across cloud, data, infrastructure, and application domains. Apply deep knowledge of cloud‑native architectures (Azure, GCP, AWS), microservices, API gateways, CI/CD, and containerisation to guide solution design and delivery.
  • Emerging Technology & Industry Insight: Monitor and assess emerging technologies (AI, Digital Assets, Composability) and industry trends to inform strategic decisions and future‑prove the Group’s technology landscape.
  • Strategic Influence & Executive Engagement: Engage with senior stakeholders across CTO, GEC, and IT Board to shape investment decisions and ensure architectural coherence across programmes. Translate complex technical detail into executive‑level narratives and strategic recommendations.
  • External Engagement & Thought Leadership: Represent the CTO vision in external forums, contributing to industry dialogue and reinforcing the Group’s position as a digital leader.

About You

  • Proven experience in enterprise architecture and engineering within large‑scale, complex organisations (preferably minimum 2 years in Financial Services or consulting background).
  • Strong understanding of modern architecture principles, software design patterns, and scalable solution delivery.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead strategic technology initiatives and influence senior stakeholders.
  • Deep technical expertise across cloud platforms, infrastructure, security, and application architecture.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with a proven ability to influence and drive strategy across diverse stakeholder groups.
  • Ability to synthesise complex technical detail into executive‑level narratives and strategic recommendations.
  • Commercial acumen and strategic thinking, with a track record of delivering value through technology.
  • Awareness of regulatory environments and ability to anticipate implications for architectural decisions.

Benefits

  • Up to 15% pension contribution
  • Annual bonus (subject to Group performance)
  • Share schemes, including free shares
  • Benefits you can tailor to your lifestyle
  • 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
  • Generous parental leave and wellbeing support

We welcome applications from under‑represented groups.

Required Skills and Languages

  • Required skills: AWS, Design Patterns, Security, CI/CD, Microservices, Azure, GCP
  • Required language: English

Strategic Enterprise Architect: Cloud, AI & Modernisation in Manchester employer: Lloyds Banking Group

Join a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises innovation and employee development, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including up to 15% pension contribution and generous holiday allowance. With a hybrid working model and a culture that values flexibility and inclusivity, this role in Manchester or Birmingham provides an excellent opportunity for strategic thinkers to influence technology direction while enjoying a supportive work environment that fosters growth and collaboration.

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Contact Details:

Lloyds Banking Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Strategic Enterprise Architect: Cloud, AI & Modernisation in Manchester

Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in the role you want. Building relationships can open doors that applications alone can't.

Show Off Your Skills

Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Create a portfolio or a personal project that showcases your expertise in cloud architectures or AI solutions. This gives potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.

Ace the Interview

Prepare for interviews by researching common questions and practicing your responses. But don’t stop there—think about how you can relate your past experiences to the specific challenges the company is facing. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit!

Apply Through Our Website

When you find a job that excites you, 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 genuinely interested in joining our team.

We think you need these skills to ace Strategic Enterprise Architect: Cloud, AI & Modernisation in Manchester

Enterprise Architecture
Cloud-Native Architectures
AWS
Azure
GCP
Microservices
API Gateways

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in enterprise architecture, especially in cloud and AI. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!

Showcase Your Technical Expertise:When detailing your experience, focus on your deep knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP. We’re looking for someone who can lead technical direction, so include specific examples of how you've applied your skills in real-world scenarios.

Communicate Clearly:Your written application should reflect your ability to translate complex technical details into clear narratives. We value excellent communication skills, so make sure your application is well-structured and easy to read.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super straightforward!

How to prepare for a job interview at Lloyds Banking Group

Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these technologies in past projects, especially in relation to microservices and CI/CD. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the tech but can also lead architectural strategies.

Craft Your Executive Narrative

Prepare to translate complex technical details into clear, concise narratives for senior stakeholders. Think about how you can present your past experiences in a way that highlights your strategic influence and decision-making skills. Practising this will help you communicate effectively during the interview.

Stay Ahead of Emerging Trends

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in AI, digital assets, and composability. Be prepared to discuss how these trends could impact the Group’s technology strategy. Showing that you’re proactive about industry insights will demonstrate your commitment to future-proofing the organisation.

Engage with Real-World Scenarios

Think of specific examples from your experience where you’ve led strategic initiatives or influenced executive decisions. Be ready to share these stories during the interview, as they’ll illustrate your ability to navigate complex environments and deliver value through technology.