Principal Architect - Cheshire or Edinburgh

FDM is a global business and technology consultancy seeking a Principal Architect to work for our client within the insurance sector. This is initially a 12-month contract with the potential to extend and will be a hybrid role that will be based in.

Our client is seeking an accomplished Principal Architect to drive the strategic design and implementation of enterprise-wide technology solutions. This role requires a visionary leader with a deep understanding of architecture principles and hands-on expertise in Microsoft technologies. Join our dynamic team and make a lasting impact by shaping the future of technology in alignment with business goals.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the overall enterprise architecture strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and technological advancements
• Design and oversee complex architecture solutions, leveraging Microsoft technologies (e.g., Azure, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, .NET)
• Evaluate emerging technologies, making recommendations for adoption to enhance scalability, performance, and innovation
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the business to understand needs and translate them into effective architectural frameworks
• Provide technical leadership to development teams, ensuring adherence to architecture standards and best practices
• Develop roadmaps for modernizing legacy systems, with a focus on cloud-first and secure solutions
• Address architectural risks, ensuring resilience, compliance, and future proofing of systems
• Maintain a strong focus on governance, quality assurance, and documentation of architectural processes and decisions

Requirements

• Extensive experience in technology leadership roles, such as Principal Architect, Enterprise Architect, or similar
• Deep knowledge of Microsoft technologies, especially Azure, Microsoft 365, and application frameworks like .NET
• Proven ability to design and implement enterprise architecture strategies in large, complex environments
• Strong expertise in cloud computing, DevOps practices, and CI/CD pipelines
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, capable of engaging stakeholders at all levels
• In-depth knowledge of security, compliance, and regulatory requirements for architecture design
• Experience mentoring teams and driving continuous improvement across development and operations
• Background in pensions or related industries
• Familiarity with integration of data analytics, AI, and ML capabilities within architectural frameworks
• Certifications in Microsoft Azure or other relevant technologies (e.g., TOGAF, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert

Why join us

• Career coaching, mentoring and access to upskilling throughout your entire FDM career
• Assignments with global companies and opportunities to work abroad
• Opportunity to re-skill and up-skill into new areas, develop non-linear career paths and build a skillset within your field
• Annual leave, work-place pension and BAYE share scheme

About FDM

We are a business and technology consultancy and one of the UK's leading employers, recruiting the brightest talent to become the innovators of tomorrow. We have centres across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific, and a global workforce of over 3,500 Consultants. FDM has shown exponential growth throughout the years, firmly establishing itself as an award-winning employer and is listed on the FTSE4Good Index.

Diversity and Inclusion

FDM Group is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, provincial or local laws.