Systems Architect

Job description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Systems Architect to join our IT team, based in A&O Shearman's Belfast office.

Information Technology team - Belfast

The core of the global technology department’s mission is to provide stable, reliable, and secure platforms and services to our partners, staff and clients and fulfil our regulatory obligations across 30+ countries. To ensure that a consistent and standardised IT service is delivered to all offices, IT is managed and led as a global function, enabling all offices to benefit from complete systems integration and economies of scale. We have around 400 technologists based predominantly in the UK, Singapore and increasingly in the US.

Enterprise Technology Platforms

The enterprise technology platforms include the Cloud and Infrastructure Platform, Power Platform & Automation and Microsoft 365 platforms. The purpose of these platforms is to define, design and deliver the architecture, roadmaps and customer solutions aligned to the business goals, technology strategy and enterprise architecture. These must meet the business, security and operational needs of the firm over a multi-year time horizon, whilst ensuring value for money.

What you will do

• Reporting to the Cloud Platform Architect, this role will be responsible for the design of Cloud and infrastructure services and processes that make up the Cloud & Infrastructure Platform that support the A&O Shearman business, globally. These services and process include the cloud services, networks, software and other resources required to deliver the Platform
• The role translates business requirements into technical and process designs and guides engineering teams through delivery, ensuring the A&OS Cloud and Infrastructure Platform meets the current and future needs of the global business, is secure, operationally excellent and is cost efficient
• Defines, designs and delivers the network and infrastructure architecture for all Cloud, WAN and LAN requirements including all end user compute requirements
• The role works with global IT leadership to translate business goals into technology and process designs to support the delivery of the Cloud and Infrastructure Platform Roadmap
• The role works with project delivery leadership to support business projects which require Cloud and Infrastructure Platform services
• Accountable for all aspects of the A&OS network architecture and engineering, including delivery of functional and non-functional requirements, meeting operational and project cost constraints.
• Accountable for ensuring the future network architecture meets the A&OS business needs. This includes ownership of network designs for all projects, growth and changing requirements.
• Accountable for delivering the architecture, designs and engineering for multiple, complex projects from across the business as well as the core Cloud Platform Roadmap, often concurrently. These will come from a variety of stakeholders and locations across the globe
• Able to effectively manage the workload for network architecture, design and engineering from across multiple complex projects and the core Cloud Platform Roadmap concurrently, to ensure successful delivery to business expectations and timelines
• Support the Cloud Platform Architect to:
  • Ensure the multi-year Cloud & Infrastructure Platform Roadmap is continuously maintained, aligned to the business goals and strategy, delivering security, operational excellence and cost efficiency
  • Ensure the multi-year Cloud & Infrastructure Platform Roadmap is delivered.
• Lead architecture and engineering resources to deliver designs and change, while ensuring compliance with governance frameworks, best practice, risk management, guardrails and compliance across engineering teams. These resources will be a mix of internal and external resources
• Deliver designs for the Cloud and Infrastructure Platform and other business projects using blueprints, technical specifications, and standards
• Support the development of business cases for new initiatives which require the Cloud and infrastructure Platform services and processes
• Engage and contract with external suppliers, with commercial acumen
• Ensure the successful delivery of the critical services that other technology Platforms, business and customer projects will need to consume from the Cloud & Infrastructure Platform. This will include:
  • Providing timeline, skills and effort estimates to projects for solution design and delivery
  • Forecasting capacity requirements and ensuring these are ready when required
  • Forecasting future demand for services and processes to ensure innovative solutions are available to support these when required

What you will have

• Must have relevant technical architecture qualifications and certifications for at least one of the major Cloud providers, preferably Microsoft Azure
• Deep expertise of at least one Cloud provider, preferably Microsoft Azure and associated network services
• Will have at least 10 years’ experience in technology architecture, engineering and networking using a range of technology tools to perform these roles
• Deep understanding and experience of Cloud Computing, Network design and protocols, Storage, Infrastructure as Code, Containerization and Information Security
• Ability to solve complex business and technology problems in demanding timescales
• Ability to understand and translate business goals and strategy into technology designs
• Ability to innovate and drive adoption of new technologies to ensure the Cloud and Infrastructure Platform is continuously ready to meet new business demands
• Strong understanding and experience of using architectural governance frameworks, best practices, compliance and risk management
• Must have operated architectural governance processes and logistics, including design authorities and design review
• Good understanding and experience of the project delivery lifecycle, from concept to delivery, delivery methodologies and finance
• Good understanding and experience of the operational lifecycle, from go-live to decommissioning and what is required to maintain an industry leading operational environment
• Ability to select and work with vendors to deliver business outcomes on time, budget and scope
• Ability to influence stakeholders including IT leadership and peers across the global IT organization
• Excellent communication and presentation skills

What we can offer you

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

About A&O Shearman

A&O Shearman is a new global industry-leading law firm, with nearly 50 offices in 29 countries worldwide. Our fluency in English law, US law, and the laws of the world’s most dynamic markets, enables us to provide unmatched insight and seamless delivery to clients. We work on challenging and important deals and disputes that have the potential to shape the future.

We offer exceptional opportunities for our people; opportunities to work for the world’s leading businesses; to transform the status quo, and to deliver your best work, helping you and your career to thrive, while delivering unparalleled outcomes for our clients.

Whether you're helping clients solve complex challenges, transforming the ways we manage our business, or ensuring the smooth-running of our operations, this is an environment where you can belong and excel. We provide first-rate training and development, we are committed to an inclusive environment, and we provide support and ways of working that help you optimise your wellbeing.

What truly defines a career with us? We recruit the best and ask for the best of you. And together, we will redefine success.