Cloud Architect - Johannesburg, South Africa

Johannesburg, South Africa

1 day ago

Cloud Architect

PwC Public Sector

Management Level

Senior Manager

Job Description & Summary

At PwC, our people in integration and platform architecture focus on designing and implementing seamless integration solutions and robust platform architectures for clients. They enable efficient data flow and optimise technology infrastructure for enhanced business performance.

Those in cloud and network architecture at PwC will focus on designing and implementing efficient and secure solutions for clients. You will be leveraging cutting-edge technologies to optimise infrastructure and enhance connectivity.

Growing as a strategic advisor, you leverage your influence, expertise, and network to deliver quality results. You motivate and coach others, coming together to solve complex problems. As you increase in autonomy, you apply sound judgment, recognising when to take action and when to escalate. You are expected to solve through complexity, ask thoughtful questions, and clearly communicate how things fit together. Your ability to develop and sustain high performing, diverse, and inclusive teams, and your commitment to excellence, contributes to the success of our Firm.

Examples of the skills, knowledge, and experiences you need to lead and deliver value at this level include but are not limited to:

Craft and convey clear, impactful and engaging messages that tell a holistic story.Apply systems thinking to identify underlying problems and/or opportunities.Validate outcomes with clients, share alternative perspectives, and act on client feedback.Direct the team through complexity, demonstrating composure through ambiguous, challenging and uncertain situations.Deepen and evolve your expertise with a focus on staying relevant.Initiate open and honest coaching conversations at all levels.Make difficult decisions and take action to resolve issues hindering team effectiveness.Model and reinforce professional and technical standards (e.g. refer to specific PwC tax and audit guidance), the Firm's code of conduct, and independence requirements.

About the Role

We are seeking an accomplished and visionary Cloud Architect (Senior Manager level) to lead the design and delivery of robust, scalable, and secure cloud solutions across a range of industries and technologies. This role is technology agnostic, meaning it requires deep architectural expertise and experience across multiple cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, private/hybrid cloud), rather than alignment with a single provider.

As a senior manager, you will be responsible for defining cloud strategies, architecting solutions across cloud platforms, leading high-impact engagements, and developing cloud capability across the business. You will also advise clients and stakeholders on cloud adoption, transformation, modernisation, and optimisation initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Cloud Architecture & Strategy

Design end-to-end, technology-agnostic cloud architectures that meet both current and future business and technical requirements.

Lead the development of cloud strategies and roadmaps across multi-cloud and hybrid environments (Azure, AWS and GP)

Collaborate with business and technology stakeholders to align cloud architecture with enterprise goals and transformation plans.

Solution Design & Delivery

Translate business requirements into secure, scalable, and cost-effective technical solutions.

Lead architecture assessments, reference model development, and architectural governance for cloud initiatives.

Oversee the design and implementation of solutions for infrastructure, data, security, and applications across diverse cloud platforms.

Cloud Advisory & Consulting

Act as a trusted advisor to internal and external clients, offering vendor-neutral guidance on cloud capabilities, trade-offs, and operating models.

Support cloud adoption journeys, including migration, cloud-native development, platform modernisation, and DevSecOps enablement.

Provide thought leadership on emerging cloud trends, tools, and services across providers.

Technical Leadership & Governance

Lead cloud architecture reviews, security and compliance design, and operational readiness assessments.

Define architectural patterns, standards, and reusable frameworks to ensure delivery consistency.

Coach and mentor cloud engineers, solution architects, and delivery teams across engagements.

Stakeholder Management & Delivery Oversight

Interface with CIOs, CTOs, enterprise architects, and program leads to communicate architectural direction and technical risk.

Support business development and pre-sales by contributing to proposals, solution shaping, and client workshops.

Qualifications & Experience

10+ years of experience in IT architecture and solution design, with at least 5+ years in cloud architecture across AWS, Azure, GCP, and hybrid cloud models.

Proven expertise in designing and delivering cloud solutions across infrastructure, application, data, and integration layers.

Proven experience in software development (e.g., Java, .NET, or Python), with a solid understanding of how engineering drives good architecture.

Strong working knowledge of security, networking, automation (IaC), DevOps/DevSecOps, and container platforms (e.g., Kubernetes).

Experience with cloud migration, multi-cloud strategies, and cloud-native architecture patterns.

Familiarity with TOGAF, SABSA, or similar enterprise architecture frameworks is a plus.

Certifications across multiple providers (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Architect Expert, GCP Professional Cloud Architect) are desirable but not mandatory.

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, advanced degree preferred.

Excellent communication and influencing skills, particularly with C-level and business stakeholders.

Key Skills & Competencies

Cloud Strategy & Roadmapping

Multi-Cloud & Hybrid Architecture Design

Solution Architecture & Systems Integration

Cost Optimisation & Operational Excellence

Security & Compliance by Design

Team Leadership & Mentoring

Stakeholder Influence & Executive Communication

Preferred certifications:

Azure Solutions Architect Expert