Lead Architect

Lead Architect

Position Description
At CGI, you will shape the technical direction of large-scale, mission-critical programmes that deliver lasting value for our clients. As a Lead Architect within one of our key accounts, you will provide end-to-end architectural leadership across the full lifecycle, from solution shaping through delivery and live service. You will be trusted to take ownership of architectural decisions, encouraged to apply clear strategic thinking to complex challenges, and supported by a strong community of senior architects and engineers. This is a senior leadership opportunity to influence outcomes at scale, protect service quality, and help shape the future direction of client solutions.

CGI was recognised in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work List 2025 and has been named a UK ‘Best Employer’ by the Financial Times. We offer a competitive salary, excellent pension, private healthcare, plus a share scheme (3.5% + 3.5% matching) which makes you a CGI Partner not just an employee. We are committed to inclusivity, building a genuinely diverse community of tech talent and inspiring everyone to pursue careers in our sector, including our Armed Forces, and are proud to hold a Gold Award in recognition of our support of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant. Join us and you’ll be part of an open, friendly community of experts. We’ll train and support you in taking your career wherever you want it to go.

Due to the secure nature of the programme, you will need to hold UK Security Clearance or be eligible to go through this clearance. Our teams operate within a flexible hybrid working model, however on-site requirements vary by project, so the ability to travel as required to meet client needs is essential.

Your future duties and responsibilities
In this role, you will operate as the senior technical authority for a strategic client account, accountable for architectural integrity, governance and decision-making across pre-sales, delivery and live service. You will lead design authorities and technical councils, ensuring architectural decisions are made early, clearly governed, and aligned to enterprise standards, sector strategy and contractual commitments.

You will work closely with delivery, commercial and client leadership to balance quality, cost, risk and sustainability, while protecting outcomes and long-term value. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior client stakeholders, you will provide clear, decision-ready options, constructively challenge where needed, and guide teams through periods of complexity or change with confidence and credibility.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead & govern end-to-end architecture across a large, complex client account
• Act as Account Technical Authority and primary escalation point for architectural risk
• Shape & assure technical solutions for bids, changes and major initiatives
• Chair design authorities and technical councils to control architectural decisions
• Provide delivery assurance, addressing design drift and technical debt
• Maintain architectural oversight of live services and major incidents
• Align account solutions with enterprise architecture, standards and roadmaps
• Manage architectural risk, deviations and commercial impacts
• Build trusted relationships with senior client technology stakeholders

Required qualifications to be successful in this role
You will be an experienced Lead or Senior Architect with a strong track record of operating at scale, providing architectural leadership within complex, multi-stakeholder environments. You will combine deep architectural expertise with commercial awareness, clear communication and the confidence to influence senior decision-makers.

You should have:

• Significant experience operating as a Lead or Senior Architect on large client accounts
• Broad technical grounding across multiple technology domains
• Proven experience in architectural governance, assurance and design authority forums
• Strong ability to influence senior stakeholders and steer decision-making
• Experience defining target architectures, principles and standards
• Strong risk identification, management and mitigation capability
• Clear, structured communication skills suitable for senior audiences

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Together, as owners, let’s turn meaningful insights into action.

Life at CGI is rooted in ownership, teamwork, respect and belonging. Here, you’ll reach your full potential because…

You are invited to be an owner from day 1 as we work together to bring our Dream to life. That’s why we call ourselves CGI Partners rather than employees. We benefit from our collective success and actively shape our company’s strategy and direction.

Your work creates value. You’ll develop innovative solutions and build relationships with teammates and clients while accessing global capabilities to scale your ideas, embrace new opportunities, and benefit from expansive industry and technology expertise.

You’ll shape your career by joining a company built to grow and last. You’ll be supported by leaders who care about your health and well-being and provide you with opportunities to deepen your skills and broaden your horizons.

Come join our team—one of the largest IT and business consulting services firms in the world.