Location
Cardiff

Hours
Full Time

Salary
£86,547 per annum

About the Role
Across government, cloud technology underpins the delivery of secure, scalable and modern digital services. As organisations adopt cloud-first strategies, strong architecture is essential to ensure platforms are well-designed, governed and able to deliver long-term value. Ofgem plays a vital role in the UK’s energy system, protecting consumers and enabling a more secure, fair and sustainable energy future, and a robust Architecture capability is central to this mission.

Ofgem is on an ambitious transformation journey. Within the Digital, Data and Security Services (DDSS) directorate, we are modernising our technology estate and expanding our use of Microsoft Azure as a core platform. This includes building secure, scalable and cost-effective solutions that support data, AI and digital services across the organisation.

As a Principal Technical Architect (Azure), you will play a key role in shaping how Azure is designed and used across Ofgem. You will define standards and governance, guide technical decision-making and support delivery teams to build high-quality cloud solutions. Working across programmes and domains, you will ensure architectural consistency, manage risk and embed architectural best practice across our Azure environment.

This is a highly influential technical role within a fast-paced and evolving environment, requiring deep Azure expertise and strong architectural capability.

Key Responsibilities
Defining and shaping Azure architecture standards, aligned to organisational and government frameworks
Establishing and embedding architectural patterns, principles and governance
Providing oversight and assurance for complex cloud solutions
Supporting architectural decision-making and managing technical risk
Promoting reusable frameworks and best practice across teams
Collaborating with stakeholders to align technology and business needs
Evaluating emerging Azure capabilities and supporting their adoption
Mentoring architects and engineers, building capability across DDSS

This role offers the opportunity to play a key part in shaping Ofgem’s architecture capability and Azure cloud platform, ensuring systems are secure, scalable and fit for the future, supporting digital transformation and services that impact consumers across Great Britain.

Benefits
Alongside your salary of £63,443, Ofgem contributes £18,379 towards your membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including 30 days annual leave after 2 years, excellent training and development opportunities, hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office, subject to review), flexible working hours, family friendly policies, clean and bright centrally based offices, engaged networks and teams, and the chance to contribute to ambitious targets such as establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050.

Experience
Extensive experience in design and delivery of complex solutions on Microsoft Azure.
Proven proficiency in technical direction, team mentorship, and guidance across multi-disciplinary IT teams and architects.
Strong experience designing and delivering solutions on Microsoft Azure.
Solid understanding of cloud architecture, governance and optimisation.
Experience contributing to architectural standards and decision-making.
Knowledge of security, identity and compliance in cloud environments.
Experience with Infrastructure as Code and DevOps practices is beneficial.
Understanding government digital standards and assurance processes is desirable.

About You
A highly experienced technical architect capable of shaping and guiding cloud architecture in a complex environment.
Ability to influence across teams and collaborate effectively.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor architects and engineers.
Committed to embedding architectural best practices and governance.
Ability to evaluate emerging Azure capabilities and support their adoption.

Qualifications
Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert (or achievable within 6 months).
Formal Architectural Qualification such as BCS EA Certification or equivalent (or achievable within 6 months).
Proficiency in architectural modelling tools such as Archi and frameworks like ArchiMate, UML, or equivalent.
Understanding of Azure security frameworks, compliance standards, and identity management models.