M365 Architect

Employment: Full-time Sword is the trusted technology partner to enterprise and critical national infrastructure organisations, where resilience and security matter most. You’ll play a part in modernising legacy systems, securing day-to-day operations and helping organisations adopt new technology with confidence, so they can reduce risk and operate safely. From engineering, cyber security, OT and digital platforms to consultancy, commercial and operations, there’s a place for your expertise at Sword, collaborating with talented, supportive colleagues on challenging work that has real-world impact. In response to our continued high-growth trajectory, Sword’s Digital Workplace & Cyber Team have a new opening for an experienced and motivated Digital Workplace/M365 Architect to support our broad client base with their digital transformation, innovation and cyber resiliency requirements. Duties of the role include: Consulting Architecture & Client Leadership Lead client engagements from discovery through strategy, architecture, delivery oversight, and operational handover Own and define target-state architecture, transition states, roadmaps, and implementation strategies for Microsoft 365 and digital workplace transformation Lead executive and senior stakeholder workshops to shape business outcomes, investment priorities, governance models, and adoption strategies Act as the senior design authority for Microsoft 365 solutions, ensuring alignment to business objectives, security requirements, compliance obligations, and user experience goals Provide technical leadership for complex programmes including tenant consolidation, merger and acquisition activity, hybrid modernisation, and large-scale migration initiatives Advise clients on operating model, governance, service design, support readiness, and long-term platform evolution Architecture, Standards & Design Authority Produce and assure high-quality architecture artefacts including vision documents, target architectures, high-level designs, low-level designs, reference architectures, standards, and decision papers Define scalable, supportable and secure solution patterns across Microsoft 365 workloads including collaboration & messaging, identity, security, compliance, and productivity services Establish and maintain architectural standards, governance controls, and design principles aligned to Microsoft best practice, Zero Trust, and relevant regulatory or industry frameworks Provide design assurance and technical leadership to consultants and engineers through implementation, testing, transition, and service readiness Identify architectural risks, dependencies, and trade-offs, and provide clear recommendations to clients and internal stakeholders Cloud & Cyber Integration Ensure security, identity, data protection, compliance, and resilience are embedded by design across all digital workplace solutions Architect solutions aligned to Microsoft Zero Trust principles, modern identity controls, and secure collaboration patterns Support clients with architectural guidance across compliance, governance, retention, information protection, and secure access requirements Work closely with Cloud, Cyber, and Managed Service teams to ensure joined-up design, supportability, and operational excellence Pre-Sales & Practice Development Lead or significantly contribute to pre-sales activities including solution shaping, client qualification, proposals, tender responses, estimates, commercials, and Statements of Work Represent Sword as a senior subject matter expert in Microsoft 365 / Digital Workplace architecture with clients, partners, and internal stakeholders Develop and enhance repeatable services, intellectual property, delivery frameworks, standards, and accelerators that strengthen Sword’s market offering Maintain strong awareness of Microsoft roadmap developments, emerging technologies, and market trends, translating these into actionable opportunities for clients and the practice Leadership & Mentoring Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary cloud, cyber, and engineering team Promote excellent documentation, structured delivery, and knowledge sharing to improve consistency and delivery maturity Support the development of less experienced team members through coaching, review, and architectural guidance Requirements Essential Experience Proven experience in a senior architecture role designing and governing Microsoft 365 or Digital Workplace solutions for mid-market and enterprise clients Strong track record of leading complex engagements spanning discovery, strategy, architecture, migration, transformation, and service transition Experience acting as design authority or technical lead across complex Microsoft 365 programmes Experience producing high-quality client-facing artefacts including strategies, roadmaps, high-level designs, low-level designs, governance outputs, proposals, and Statements of Work Strong pre-sales and consulting capability, with experience shaping complex solutions and engaging credibly with senior business and technical stakeholders Experience defining standards, reference architectures, governance approaches, and support models for Microsoft 365 services Extensive experience in a senior consulting, architecture, or technical leadership role on the partner, vendor, or customer side. Core Technical Knowledge Strong knowledge of Microsoft 365 architecture including Identity, security & compliance, Exchange Online and core collaboration services Strong understanding of Microsoft Entra ID including identity architecture, authentication, conditional access, privileged access, governance, and secure external collaboration Strong knowledge of Microsoft security and compliance capabilities including Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Purview, data protection, governance, compliance, and risk controls Experience designing for hybrid, migration, and transformation scenarios including on-premises to cloud, tenant-to-tenant, and coexistence models Strong understanding of architectural alignment to Microsoft best practice, Zero Trust, security baselines, and operational supportability Skills & Capabilities Excellent stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to operate credibly at technical, operational, and senior leadership level Ability to translate complex business, security, and operational requirements into clear architectural outcomes and phased roadmaps Strong workshop facilitation, architecture communication, and presentation skills Strong commercial awareness with the ability to shape services, support bids, and identify further client value Ability to balance strategic thinking with pragmatic delivery guidance Strong leadership, mentoring, and quality assurance capability across multidisciplinary teams. Certifications Microsoft certifications aligned to architecture, modern work, security and identity are highly desirable, with MS-102(AB-650), SC-300 and SC-100 particularly relevant to the role Additional certifications such as MS-721, MS-700, SC-401, AZ-900 or other Microsoft 365 / Security certifications would be advantageous Desirable Experience Experience working within regulated sectors such as public sector, financial services or critical national infrastructure Knowledge of architecture and governance frameworks such as Zero Trust, Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework, Microsoft security architecture guidance, NCSC, NIST, CIS, ISO27001 or Cyber Essentials Experience with automation and platform tooling such as PowerShell, Microsoft Graph, and related administration or orchestration capabilities Experience with complementary technologies including endpoint management, backup / resilience, identity governance, and adoption / change considerations Benefits At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package: Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth. Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance. We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can. A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes. At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us. If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.