Head of Infrastructure Architecture Guild

The Infrastructure Architecture Guild defines and governs the architectural approach for core infrastructure services, including cloud, security, and network domains. The Guild ensures scalable, resilient, and agile platforms with consistent standards and patterns that enable a product-aligned operating model across product and engineering teams. 

As Head of Infrastructure Architecture Guild, you'll lead the strategy and execution for infrastructure architecture across AXA UKI. You'll own architecture principles, patterns, and standards for core platforms, provide technical leadership on platform evolution, and build and mentor a community of platform, cloud, security, and infrastructure architects to ensure cross-functional consistency and alignment with enterprise roadmaps. 

At AXA we work smart, empowering our people to balance their time between home and the office in a way that works best for them, their team and our customers. You'll work at least two days a week (40%) away from home, moving to three days a week (60%) in the future. Away from home means either attendance at one of our office locations, visiting clients or attending industry events. We're also happy to consider flexible working arrangements, which you can discuss with Talent Acquisition. 

What you'll be doing: 

• Define and evolve architecture standards and patterns for core services including cloud, network, and security as examples. 
• Develop platform reference architectures that support modular design, interoperability, and align with Group standards. 
• Provide architectural oversight on architecture evolution and ensure alignment to enterprise and solution architecture roadmaps. 
• Work closely with platform engineering teams to embed architectural principles into design, build, and run activities. 
• Drive adoption of Group products where applicable but be an active member to support Group product strategy. 
• Evaluate and select technologies that align to AXA's strategic direction, balancing cost, flexibility, and scalability. 
• Ensure architecture meets enterprise standards for security, resilience, and regulatory compliance. 
• Lead and coach a community of security, cloud and infrastructure architects, promoting consistency, capability-building, and technical innovation. 

Due to the number of applications we expect to receive for this role, we reserve the right to close this advert earlier than the listed closing date to ensure we're able to effectively manage interest. Therefore, if you're interested in joining us at AXA, please don't hesitate to apply. 

We know that some candidates may be discouraged from applying if they don't meet every requirement. If you're excited by this job and the prospect of working at AXA but you're not sure you tick every box, we'd still encourage you to apply. 

What you'll bring:  

• Extensive experience in in cloud, security architecture, infrastructure architecture, or related enterprise-level technical roles. 
• Deep experience designing architectures in cloud-native, hybrid, or multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure). 
• Strong knowledge of platform services including multi-cloud technology and operating models, security tooling, and network design. 
• Skilled in defining architecture standards and enabling automated, secure, and scalable platforms. 
• Proficient in infrastructure-as-code and CI/CD patterns (e.g., Terraform, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, Argo). 
• Experienced in managing technical risk, platform lifecycle planning, and enabling delivery through platforms. 
• Familiar with architecture frameworks and best practices (e.g., TOGAF). 
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills across engineering, architecture, and product. 
• Strategic and pragmatic, with a strong delivery mindset. 

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom. 

What we offer: 

At AXA UK, we're appreciative of the people who work for us and our rewards package is reviewed regularly to reflect that. You can expect to receive: 

• Competitive annual salary dependent on experience 
• Annual company & performance-based bonus 
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions) 
• Life Assurance (up to 10 x annual salary) 
• Private medical cover  
• 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays 
• Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave 
• Wellbeing services & resources  
• AXA employee discounts 

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To apply, click on the 'apply for this job' button, you'll then need to log in or create a profile to submit your CV. We're proud to be an Equal Opportunities Employer and don't discriminate against employees or potential employees based on protected characteristics. If you have a long-term condition or disability and require adjustments during the application or interview process, we're proud to offer access to the AXA Accessibility Concierge. For our support, please send an email to daniel.- 

Who we are:  

AXA UK Support Functions power AXA's three customer-facing business units, providing the infrastructure, support and expertise to ensure our customers can always count on us. Whether you've got heaps of experience and qualifications behind you, or you're just starting out, we'll give you the support and opportunities to help you grow and develop with confidence.