Lead Application Architect

Lead Applications Architect

About the Role

We are seeking a Lead Applications Architect to lead application architecture for a major greenfield enterprise transformation programme.

Working under the central design authority, you will own the target architecture, standards, integration patterns, and roadmap across the enterprise application estate. You will lead design reviews, resolve cross-application design decisions, and guide delivery teams to build secure, resilient, and scalable solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Application Architecture & Strategy

• Own the enterprise applications target architecture, principles, standards, and roadmap.
• Translate business requirements into application architecture and practical delivery plans.
• Evaluate application platforms and technologies, guiding build-versus-buy decisions.
• Ensure application designs align with enterprise architecture and programme objectives.

Architecture Governance & Design Authority

• Lead application design reviews and resolve cross-application architecture decisions.
• Establish reference architectures, design guidelines, and governance practices.
• Review solution designs and assure implementation quality against approved architectural standards.
• Identify architectural risks, dependencies, and design gaps, and guide their resolution.

Integration & Non-Functional Design

• Define application integration patterns, APIs, and data flows across the enterprise estate.
• Establish design requirements for high availability, performance, scalability, security, and resilience.
• Collaborate with data, integration, infrastructure, and cybersecurity architects to deliver coherent end-to-end solutions.

Technical Leadership & Delivery

• Lead architecture initiatives and manage architectural deliverables against programme timelines.
• Guide application architects and delivery teams through design and implementation.
• Provide technical leadership and resolve complex architectural issues.
• Coordinate across internal teams and external vendors.
• Communicate architecture recommendations, decisions, risks, and progress to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• At least 7 years of relevant technology experience, including at least 3 years in a similar architecture role.
• Proven technical leadership experience across enterprise application architecture.
• Strong knowledge of application integration patterns, APIs, and enterprise data flows.
• Experience defining target architectures, architectural standards, and transformation roadmaps.
• Strong understanding of high availability, performance, security, and resilience requirements.
• Experience evaluating application platforms and leading build-versus-buy decisions.
• Proven experience in architecture governance, design reviews, and design-authority practices.
• Strong problem-solving, stakeholder management, and project management skills.
• Ability to lead collaboratively within a multi-vendor delivery environment.
• Professional proficiency in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• TOGAF certification or experience applying an equivalent enterprise architecture framework.
• Azure or AWS cloud architect certification.
• Relevant application-platform or integration certifications.
• An advanced degree in a relevant discipline.
• Arabic language proficiency.