Job Title: Sr. Azure Cloud Architect
Location: Oakville, ON (Hybrid)
Estimated Duration: 12 Months
Our client is a major Utility company located in both Canada and the US markets. This role will be centered out of Canada. We are looking to hire a
Sr. Azure Cloud Solution Architect for an initial 12-month contract term with a strong chance of being extended for more term. This role can function as remote with the odd office visit for critical team meetings from time to time.
Cloud Solution Architect (Azure / AVS – Data Center Migration)
Role Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced Cloud Solution Architect to lead the architecture and design efforts for a major data centers migration initiative, with a primary focus on building and optimizing an Azure VMware Service (AVS) environment. This role will oversee the full solution lifecycle—from design documentation to migration of on-premises applications into AVS—and will provide architectural leadership, governance, and technical direction across the program. The client is closing two of it’s major DCs in both Canada and the US.
The ideal candidate is a senior Azure architect with substantial AVS experience, strong governance and cost-management expertise, and the ability to guide vendors, internal teams, and business units toward secure, scalable, standards-aligned cloud solutions.
Key Responsibilities
Cloud Architecture & Design
- Develop, document, and maintain architectures, solution designs, and build documentation for cloud-hosted business and technology systems.
- Lead the architecture and technical design of the Azure VMware Service (AVS) landing zone.
- Architect end-to-end migration solutions for applications moving from colocation data centers to AVS.
- Maintain and evolve the cloud platform roadmap.
Cloud Governance & Standards
- Lead creation, enhancement, and enforcement of cloud architecture patterns and standards.
- Oversee and improve cloud governance, with emphasis on:
- Cost management, cost reporting, and optimization recommendations.
- Ensuring vendors operate within established guardrails.
- Expanding and documenting governance standards.
Technical Review & Quality Assurance
- Review architecture proposals from vendors and internal teams for compliance with standards.
- Conduct technical audits of existing cloud and application architectures to identify risks, gaps, and improvement opportunities.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
- Work closely with Line of Business (LOB) teams to understand their technology needs and identify innovation opportunities.
- Provide architectural guidance to project teams, vendors, and engineering groups.
Required Skills & Experience
Must-Haves (Critical)
- Azure Certified Architect (e.g., AZ-305 or equivalent).
- Hands-on Azure VMware Service (AVS) architecture and migration experience.
- Proven expertise developing cloud architecture documents, patterns, standards, and roadmaps.
- Strong experience with cloud governance, especially cost governance, reporting, and optimization.
- Deep understanding of cloud security and compliance within regulated or security-focused industries.
- Demonstrated experience leading large-scale cloud migrations or data center modernization programs.
Strong Nice-to-Haves
- Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) experience.
- Cisco SD-WAN in Azure.
- Experience working in Utilities or other heavily regulated sectors.