Lead Architect

Lead Architect

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
The Gym Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the architectural vision and guide a talented tech team at The Gym Group.
  • Company: Join The Gym Group, a fun and inclusive leader in the fitness industry.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for personal growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a dynamic culture recognised as one of the best places to work.
  • Why this job: Shape innovative technology solutions that break down barriers to fitness for all.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in enterprise architecture and cloud systems required.

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

Reporting to: Chief Technology Officer

Based: Hybrid - Clapham Junction 3 days per week

Here at The Gym Group we believe we are simply the best in our industry! Our amazing teams have skills, abilities and can-do attitudes that make this a great place to work! We have strong, embedded values and an easy-going culture which ensures we put our people first. We pride ourselves on being fun, innovative, inclusive and engaging.

About the role...

Reporting directly to the CTO, as the Lead Architect, you will shape the architectural blueprint that enables our technology vision. Guiding and coordinating a team of Solution Architects, Technical Architects, System Analysts and Solution Designers, you will maintain robust and comprehensive documentation of current and target states across our technology landscape. You will define and maintain our architectural governance model and specify the architecture toolset and frameworks. You will advise and inform the business, to optimise our Capabilities and Application Lifecycle. This is both a strategic and hands-on role: setting architectural vision, enabling scale, and ensuring technical excellence in execution. The role will engage your breadth and depth of experience across the whole technology domain.

Key responsibilities

  • Own and evolve the enterprise architecture blueprint, reference architectures, and target state definitions
  • Shape architecture principles and governance, driving alignment across business, data, applications, infrastructure, and security
  • Lead technical decision-making across TGG’s cloud platform including 3rd party integrations
  • Act as the senior technical voice in executive and programme-level forums, influencing both strategic investments and day-to-day designs
  • Drive architectural runway, risk management, and lifecycle planning to support growth, resilience, and innovation
  • Foster architectural standards, documentation, and tooling adoption (e.g. C4, Archimate, UML, LeanIX)

About you...

We're looking for a strategic and accomplished Lead Architect to drive our technology architecture forward. You'll need to possess the following skills/experience:

  • Strategic Architecture Leadership
    • Extensive experience in enterprise and solution architecture for mid-to-large digital businesses.
    • Proven ability to define and manage architecture governance, roadmaps, and standards.
    • Strong influencing skills to align senior stakeholders and delivery teams with the architectural vision.
  • Cloud & Distributed Systems
    • Deep fluency with Microsoft Azure, specializing in the architecture of scaled, cloud-native, and distributed systems.
    • Expertise in designing for high-availability, fault tolerance, and auto-scaling patterns.
    • Proficiency in designing secure, multi-tier applications using modern API and messaging protocols.
  • Software & Application Architecture
    • Solid understanding of modern architectural patterns including DDD, Hexagonal Architecture, and CQRS.
    • Proven ability to design and evaluate decoupled, microservice-based systems.
    • Familiarity with a broad range of integration patterns and cross-cutting concerns.
  • Security, Data, and Performance
    • In-depth knowledge of regulatory frameworks like ISO 27001, PCI DSS, and GDPR.
    • Expertise in identity and access management, observability, and database architecture (SQL/NoSQL).
  • Tools & Methodologies
    • Proficiency in architecture modeling standards like UML and C4.
    • Strong understanding of modern engineering and DevOps practices.
    • Experience with Agile and product-oriented delivery cultures.

If you have a disability or condition that makes it difficult for you to complete your application online please email your cv to recruitment@thegymgroup.com or alternatively call the TGG Recruitment team on 0203 319 4838 and someone will be more than happy to support you. We also want to put it out there that we actively encourage applications from a diverse demographic and we are passionate about your culture and value alignment. We want this to be a match that works for you as much as for us!

Your application may be reviewed by an AI tool to help assess your suitability based on the information you provide. Automated decision-making is never used - every application is reviewed and all decisions, including whether to progress your application, are made exclusively by a member of our recruitment team. Your data will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and UK GDPR. If you have any questions about how your information is used, please contact recruitment@thegymgroup.com.

Lead Architect employer: The Gym Group

At The Gym Group, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the fitness industry, offering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that prioritises our people. With a strong commitment to employee development, innovative projects, and a supportive environment, we ensure that our team members thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in Clapham Junction, where you can make a meaningful impact while enjoying the benefits of a fun and engaging workplace.
The Gym Group

Contact Detail:

The Gym Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Architect

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company culture and values. The Gym Group prides itself on being fun and inclusive, so think about how you can showcase your personality and align with their ethos during the interview.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it relates to the Lead Architect role. Highlight your strategic leadership skills and cloud expertise, as these are key for the position.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Architect

Strategic Architecture Leadership
Enterprise Architecture
Solution Architecture
Architecture Governance
Cloud Architecture
Microsoft Azure
Distributed Systems
High-Availability Design
Fault Tolerance
Microservice Architecture
API Design
Regulatory Frameworks (ISO 27001, PCI DSS, GDPR)
Identity and Access Management
UML
Agile Methodologies

Some tips for your application 🫡

Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to show us what makes you unique and how you align with our fun and inclusive culture.

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Lead Architect role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that match the job description. This shows us that you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in joining our team.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your accomplishments! Use specific examples of how you’ve made an impact in previous roles, especially in areas like architecture governance or cloud systems. We love to see results!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it’s super easy and straightforward – just a few clicks and you’re on your way to potentially joining our amazing team!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Gym Group

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest architectural trends and technologies, especially around cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure. Brush up on your knowledge of architectural patterns such as DDD and microservices, as these will likely come up during your chat.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Lead Architect, you'll be guiding teams and influencing decisions. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led projects or teams, particularly in aligning stakeholders with architectural visions. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and leadership capabilities.

✨Understand Their Culture

The Gym Group prides itself on being fun, inclusive, and innovative. Familiarise yourself with their values and think about how your personal values align with theirs. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their culture and help drive positive change within the organisation.

✨Prepare Questions

Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions that show your interest in the role and the company. Ask about their current architectural challenges or future projects, which will not only give you valuable information but also demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position.

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