Head of Platform Architecture (6 month Temp Role)

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking an experienced Head of Platform Architecture to provide architectural leadership and services across Enterprise Technology. The role will define and drive a coherent architecture vision across Cloud Platforms and Infrastructure, Developer Platforms, the AI Platform, Superhighway and Enterprise Data. You will work with technology leaders, engineers and stakeholders to understand requirements, translate them into clear architectures, and ensure the platforms integrate effectively. The successful candidate will combine broad technical expertise with strong communication, influencing and leadership skills, and will be able to turn architectural vision into practical outcomes.

About us

Schroders is a global investment manager which provides active asset management, wealth management and investment solutions. We aim to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We serve a diverse client base that includes pension schemes, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, high net worth individuals, family offices, as well as end clients through partnerships with distributors, financial advisers, and online platforms.
Established in 1804, we have around 5,500 people across 36 global locations. Schroders' success can be attributed to its diversified business model, spanning different asset classes, client types and geographies.

Technology at Schroders

There's a huge amount of change going on at Schroders. Technology's shaping our business more and more, so there are many opportunities waiting to be grabbed. And because we're a big financial player, we can put hefty backing behind good ideas.
We're a serious business – we have enormous responsibilities to our clients and shareholders. But just because we're suited and booted, that doesn't make us stuffy; our tech teams are friendlier and more informal than you might expect.

The team

You will lead platform architecture team across Enterprise Technology, reporting to the Head of Enterprise Technology. Your scope includes Cloud Platforms (AWS and Azure) and Infrastructure, Developer Platforms (GitHub, Azure DevOps and AI-enabled engineering practices), the AI Platform (Amazon Bedrock and AgentCore), and Superhighway, our agentic developer platform.

You will define the architecture strategy, standards and roadmap for these platforms. For Enterprise Data, you will provide architectural leadership across platform integration, interoperability, data access and governance alignment, partnering closely with the Enterprise Data Platform team, which retains ownership of data platform architecture.

Working with Enterprise Architecture, you will ensure platform strategies align with business priorities, enterprise standards, target architectures and transformation goals. Together, you will establish shared principles, resolve competing priorities and drive a cohesive technology landscape.

What you’ll do

- Define and communicate the platform architecture vision and principles across Enterprise Technology and the wider organisation.
- Lead the architecture of Cloud Platforms and infrastructure, Developer Platforms, the AI Platform and Superhighway, defining integration, interoperability and data access patterns with Enterprise Data while ensuring alignment with the Data Platform architecture.
- Ensure the Enterprise Technology platforms integrate effectively and operate as a coherent ecosystem.
- Understand business, engineering and stakeholder requirements and translate them into clear, practical architectures and roadmaps.
- Drive synergy and reuse between the platform pillars through shared patterns, capabilities and standards.
- Provide architectural leadership for AWS and Azure cloud platforms, including infrastructure, security, resilience and governance.
- Guide the architecture of agentic AI capabilities built on Amazon Bedrock and AgentCore, with appropriate security, governance and operational controls.
- Guide the evolution of Superhighway as an agentic-enabled developer platform for professional and citizen developers.
- Partner with Enterprise Data leaders to ensure data architecture and platform capabilities align with the wider technology strategy.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, architecture teams, engineering teams, security, risk and delivery functions.
- Create and maintain clear architecture documentation, decision records, roadmaps and standards, and drive the agreed vision through to implementation.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need

- Significant experience leading architecture across complex enterprise technology platforms.
- Broad architecture experience across AWS and Azure cloud platforms, including infrastructure, networking, security, resilience and governance.
- Strong understanding of developer platforms and practices, including GitHub, Azure DevOps, CI/CD, infrastructure as code and secure software delivery.
- Understanding of AI platforms and agentic application architectures, ideally including Amazon Bedrock and AgentCore.
- Proven experience shaping platform strategies, reference architectures, architectural principles, standards and multi-year roadmaps.
- Ability to understand complex and competing stakeholder requirements and translate them into coherent architectures and decisions.
- Proven ability to connect multiple technology domains, identify dependencies and drive integration and synergy.
- Strong technical leadership and influencing skills, with the credibility to challenge constructively and gain support for a clear vision.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex architecture clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience working with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams in a large, regulated enterprise.
- Strong understanding of security, risk, governance, operational resilience and cost considerations in platform architecture.
- Ability to move between strategic thinking and practical delivery, ensuring architecture supports measurable business and engineering outcomes.
- A collaborative leadership style with the ability to work across organisational boundaries and drive decisions to completion.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications that will help

- Experience with enterprise data platforms, data architecture and data governance.
- Experience designing developer self-service platforms, paved roads or internal developer platforms.
- Knowledge of generative AI, agentic systems, model governance and responsible AI practices.
- Experience of working as part of a large-scale technology transformation programme.

What you’ll be like

- A strategic architecture leader who can create a clear vision and drive it through to implementation.
- A confident communicator who listens well, understands stakeholder needs and explains complex topics in plain language.
- Someone who combines a broad enterprise view with sufficient technical depth to make sound decisions.
- A collaborative leader who builds alignment across teams without creating rigid silos.
- Someone who is pragmatic, decisive, curious and comfortable working through ambiguity and change.

We Recognise Potential, Whoever You Are

Our purpose is to deliver excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We believe diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture help us make better decisions and achieve better outcomes for our clients. That's why inclusion is a strategic priority for us, and we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for all roles and provide reasonable accommodations to support applicants and employees, including those with neurodiversity, disability, or physical and mental health needs. For more information, please visit our FAQs.