Strategic Bid Architect (Home Based), inside IR35, initial 6-month contract (rate depending on exp)
We’re looking for a Strategic Bids Architect to support high-value, complex digital, data and AI-enabled bids on a contract basis. This role is perfect for an experienced architect who thrives in pre-sales, solution leadership, and shaping commercially competitive technology propositions.
The Opportunity
As the senior technical lead across major bids, you’ll design and govern advanced digital, data and AI architectures — ensuring they are scalable, deliverable, and positioned to win. You’ll work closely with Growth, Service Design, and senior stakeholders to craft innovative, cloud-native, data-driven solutions that demonstrate real measurable outcomes.
What You’ll Be Doing
Solution Leadership
*Lead end-to-end architecture design for strategic bids (cloud, data, AI, automation).
*Translate business and outcome requirements into clear, integrated technical blueprints.
*Define architecture vision across AI/ML platforms, analytics, automation, integration and security.
*Balance innovation with cost, risk, and delivery feasibility.
Bid & Pursuit Engagement
*Act as the technical design authority across bid cycles.
*Shape digital transformation narratives with a strong AI-driven edge.
*Support bid writing, technical orals, workshops, and client deep-dives.
Digital, Data & AI Governance
*Align all architectural elements with enterprise standards and responsible AI frameworks.
*Maintain traceability between outcomes, capabilities, architecture and cost models.
*Support risk and assurance around data, AI, integration, scalability and security.
Commercial Support
*Work with commercial teams to model cost structures and justify ROI.
*Provide input into outcome-based, consumption-based, and fixed-price bid modelling.
*Ensure solutions are compelling, competitive, and architecturally sound.
Transition Support
*Support handover into mobilisation teams post-award, ensuring architecture continuity.
Required Skills & Experience
*10+ years designing large-scale digital transformation solutions.
*Deep knowledge of AI/ML, data platforms, analytics, automation and cloud architectures.
*Strong experience with AWS/Azure, APIs, microservices, integration and event-driven systems.
*Proven track record leading solution design for major bids.
*Ability to communicate with CXO-level stakeholders.
*Familiarity with TOGAF, ITIL, Agile, Responsible AI frameworks, and architecture modelling tools.