Cloud Architect – Governance & Architecture Specialist

Applications are invited for the following position:

Title of Post: Cloud Architect – Governance & Architecture Specialist

JOB SYNOPSIS

The Cloud Architect, Governance & Architecture Specialist is a key member of the Enterprise Architecture team within the University of Limerick's Information Technology Division. The role is responsible for shaping and enabling the secure, compliant and strategic adoption of cloud, AI and enterprise technologies across the University. The post holder will develop practical governance frameworks, architecture patterns and technical controls that support secure, compliant and innovative technology adoption. Working across a diverse university community, the role will provide technical leadership and expert advice on enterprise platforms, helping to ensure technology investments align with institutional objectives, regulatory requirements and best practice.

Office of the Director of Information Technology

Information Technology Division

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary Scale: €70,551- €113,366 p.a.

University of Limerick is a research-led, energetic and enterprising institution with a proud record of innovation and excellence in education and scholarships. We value creativity, curiosity and excellence in our inclusive community which is committed to social good. Our motto Eagna chun Gnímh translates as Wisdom for Action reflecting our mission to contribute to the discovery of new knowledge for a better world.

Informal enquiries regarding the post may be directed to:

Ms Treasa Cunneen

Head of Enterprise Architecture

Information Technology Division

University of Limerick

Email: [email protected]

The closing date for receipt of applications is Thursday, 3rd December 2026

Applications must be completed online before 12 noon, Irish Standard Time on the closing date.

Please note your application must include:

A letter of introduction and a current CV indicating how you meet the criteria outlined in the Job description.

A completed online application form.

Are you currently legally entitled to work and reside in Ireland?

If you are not currently an EEA Citizen and have stated that you are currently legally entitled to work and reside in Ireland, you MUST upload a copy of your current Visa and Work permit in the attachments section application form. Unfortunately, if the attachment, as noted, is required and not provided your application cannot be processed.

Please note your current work authorisation status must allow you to fulfil the terms of the contract on offer.

Please email [email protected] if you experience any difficulties

Applications are welcome from suitably qualified candidates.

Further information for applicants and application material is available online from: University of Limerick Vacancies

We are committed to upholding the principles of fairness, equality, and transparency in pay, in line with the EU Pay Transparency Directive (Directive (EU) 2023/970)

Many thanks for your interest in this role.

TITLE OF POST: Cloud Architect – Governance & Architecture Specialist LOCATION: University of Limerick REPORTS TO: Head of Enterprise Architecture CONTRACT TYPE: Permanent SALARY SCALE: €70,551- €113,366 p.a.

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB SYNOPSIS:

The Cloud Architect, Governance & Architecture Specialist is a key member of the Enterprise Architecture team within the University of Limerick's Information Technology Division. The role is responsible for shaping and enabling the secure, compliant and strategic adoption of cloud, AI and enterprise technologies across the University. The post holder will develop practical governance frameworks, architecture patterns and technical controls that support secure, compliant and innovative technology adoption. Working across a diverse university community, the role will provide technical leadership and expert advice on enterprise platforms, helping to ensure technology investments align with institutional objectives, regulatory requirements and best practice.

OVERALL JOB PURPOSE:

The Cloud Architect –Governance & Architecture specialist is responsible for the design, implementation and continuous evolution of the University’s cloud, AI and enterprise technology governance and architectural guardrails, ensuring that technologies are adopted in a secure, compliant and strategically aligned manner across the institution. The role operates at the intersection of cloud architecture, enterprise governance, information security, data governance and emerging technologies including AI. It translates regulatory, policy, and risk requirements into practical, scalable, and usable controls across a complex enterprise ecosystem comprising cloud platforms, enterprise applications and research technologies. While the University is significantly invested in the Microsoft ecosystem (including Azure, M365 and Purview), the post holder will adopt a platform-agnostic perspective to ensure governance and architectural principles are consistently applied across all relevant systems and services. The post holder will play a key role in enabling the safe and effective use of cloud and AI by a highly diverse community including researchers, academics and professional services staff, ensuring that governance approaches are proportionate, usable and supportive of innovation. Working under broad direction, the role provides expert advice, leadership and decision support on enterprise architecture-related initiatives, ensuring alignment with institutional strategy, IT governance, and legal and regulatory obligations. The post holder will contribute to the development of enterprise standards and influence technology direction across the University.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Cloud, AI and Enterprise Governance Framework Implementation

Design, implement and continuously enhance governance frameworks for cloud, AI and enterprise technologies, ensuring that policies, standards and architectural guardrails are operationalised across the University’s technology ecosystem. Ensure that cloud platforms, enterprise systems, research environments and AI-enabled services are adopted in a secure, compliant, resilient and strategically aligned manner.

Cloud Architecture, Security and Control Design

Translate governance, risk, security, data protection and compliance requirements into practical cloud architecture patterns, reusable guardrails and technical controls. Ensure that controls for identity, access, data protection, monitoring, resilience, logging, backup and recovery are consistently applied across cloud and enterprise platforms while remaining usable and proportionate.

Technical Leadership Across Enterprise Platforms

Provide deep technical expertise in enterprise platforms, with strength in the Microsoft ecosystem (including Azure, M365 and Purview), while ensuring governance and architectural principles are effectively applied across all relevant technologies and services.

Cloud and Technology Decision Support & Advisory

Act as a senior advisor within governance and architecture decision-making processes, supporting the evaluation, risk assessment and approval of cloud services, AI-enabled tools, enterprise platforms and research technologies. Ensure that technology decisions are evidence-based, proportionate, aligned to institutional standards, and informed by legal, regulatory, security, data protection and operational considerations.

Horizon Scanning & Emerging Technology Assessment

Monitor, assess and interpret developments in emerging technologies, regulatory frameworks and industry practices, providing advice on adoption strategies across enterprise and research contexts.

Stakeholder Engagement Across a Diverse Community

Engage with academic, research and professional stakeholders to ensure that governance approaches are practical, inclusive and adaptable to a wide range of disciplines, use cases and technical environments.

Integration between Enterprise Architecture, Cloud Operations & IT Governance

Ensure alignment between enterprise architecture, cloud operations, information security, data governance and broader IT governance processes. Contribute to standards, principles, reference architectures and decision- making frameworks that support consistent technology adoption across the University.

Continuous Improvement, Documentation and Capability Development

Develop and maintain guidance, templates, reusable architecture patterns, governance artefacts and training materials that improve organisational capability. Support continuous improvement of cloud and AI governance processes through lessons learned audit findings, operational feedback, regulatory developments and stakeholder engagement.

CONTEXT:

Key Working Relationships & Contacts

The post holder communicates on technology standards, governance requirements, risk treatment, architecture options, regulatory considerations, cloud and AI adoption, and implementation of practical controls.

• Enterprise Architecture team

• ITD leadership and technical teams (architecture, cloud, security, applications)

• Corporate Secretary’s Office, Data Protection Officer, Risk & Compliance functions

• AI Taskforce and associated governance subcommittees

• Academic staff, researchers and professional service units

• External vendors, partners and sectoral groups

Working Environment/Special Circumstances

The role is primarily based within the University’s IT Division, with engagement across academic, research, professional services and technical communities. The post holder will work in a complex enterprise technology environment involving cloud platforms, enterprise applications, data services, AI-enabled technologies and supporting governance processes.

Occasional work outside normal office hours may be required.

Job Boundaries

The post holder operates with a high degree of autonomy within established enterprise architecture, cloud governance, information security and institutional governance frameworks. The role is responsible for delivering both strategic and operational activities, including architecture guidance, governance implementation, technical decision support and the development of reusable standards, controls and patterns. The role encompasses a blend of responsibilities including direct service delivery, operational support, project-based work and contributions to governance and architectural development. The post holder is expected to actively support the implementation and execution of cloud, AI and enterprise technology governance controls, technical solutions and supporting processes across the University’s technology ecosystem. The post holder applies independent judgement in complex and evolving areas, particularly in relation to cloud services, AI-enabled technologies, data platforms, regulatory requirements, information security, data protection and risk-based decision-making. The role requires the ability to balance robust governance, security and compliance requirements with the practical realities of enabling innovation across a diverse user base including academic, research and professional services communities. The role does not normally have direct budgetary or line management responsibility, but it has significant influence over technology standards, architectural decisions, service adoption, risk treatment options, vendor/platform selection considerations and the safe use of cloud and AI- enabled services across the University.

DIMENSIONS:

Budget: no direct budget responsibility, but significant influence on technology investment decisions, platform selection and adoption direction. Staff: no direct line management responsibility, but may lead virtual teams, working groups or cross-functional initiatives. Customer: University-wide impact across academic, research and administrative communities. Operational: influences enterprise-wide governance processes, architecture decisions, standards and controls. Administrative: responsible for developing and contributing to governance documentation, policy input, decision artefacts, reusable templates and architecture guidance. KNOWLEDGE, FUNCTIONAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

|Knowledge |Essential | |Knowledge of enterprise architecture principles and IT governance |Essential | |frameworks | | |Knowledge of AI governance, risk management and regulatory |Essential | |frameworks (e.g. EU AI Act, GDPR, data protection) | | |Knowledge of Microsoft ecosystem (Azure, M365, Purview) and their |Essential | |application in governance and compliance | | |Understanding of research and academic environments and their |Desirable | |technology needs | | | | | |Functional/Work-based Skills | | | | | |Ability to translate governance, risk and compliance requirements |Essential | |into technical controls and architectural patterns across | | |enterprise platforms | | | | | |Strong analytical and decision-making capability in complex, |Essential | |ambiguous environments | | | | | |Ability to influence and advise senior stakeholders across |Essential | |organisational boundaries | | | | | |Strong communication skills, including ability to present complex |Essential | |concepts in plain English | | | | | |Ability to design scalable, pragmatic solutions that balance risk,|Essential | |usability and innovation | | |Technical/Platform Skills | | |Strong experience in enterprise cloud platforms, particularly |Essential | |Microsoft Azure and M365, including architecture, security and | | |governance capabilities | | |Experience implementing and utilising Microsoft Purview (or | | |equivalent tools) for data governance, compliance, classification | | |and information protection | | |Ability to design and implement governance controls for AI and |Essential | |data-driven systems within enterprise ecosystems | | |Understanding of identity, access management and security models |Essential | |relevant to AI and cloud environments | | |Experience integrating governance controls across multiple |Essential | |platforms, applications and data environments | | |Exposure to Microsoft Azure AI Foundry and Foundry IQ |Desirable | |Familiarity with monitoring, auditing and compliance tooling to |Desirable | |support governance oversight | | |Experience | | | | | |6–10+ years relevant IT experience, including architecture, |Essential | |governance or related roles | | | | | |Experience working with cloud platforms and enterprise |Essential | |technologies (particularly Microsoft stack) | | | | | |Experience contributing to governance, compliance or risk |Essential | |management processes | | | | | |Experience working in complex organisational environments with |Essential | |diverse stakeholders | | | | | |Qualifications | | | | | |Primary degree in a relevant discipline (or equivalent experience)|Essential | | | | |Postgraduate qualification or relevant professional certification |Desirable | |(e.g. cloud, architecture, governance) | | | | |

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

IT Governance (Level 6)

• Understands and communicates the role and impact of IT in UL.

• promotes compliance with relevant governance and strategies.

• Influences/develops IT standards, processes, policy and procedures.

• provides advice and makes decisions appropriate to role.

Plan & Deliver (Level 6)

• Has defined authority and responsibility for a significant area of work, including technical, financial and quality aspects.

• Establishes objectives, delegates responsibilities.

• Is accountable for actions and decisions taken by self and subordinates.

• Deals firmly and promptly with performance issues; lets people know what is expected of them and when (where appropriate)

• Clarifies business priorities, allocates resources appropriately.

• Agrees roles and responsibilities of staff and stakeholders, secures resources.

• Anticipates risk/high impact and acts swiftly to mitigate.

• Initiates and drives forward projects for area.

• Develops operational plans for team/area, contributes to strategy.

Communicate & Collaborate (Level 6)

• Absorbs complex technical information and communicates effectively at all levels to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Is persuasive, politically aware.

• Develops strategic proposals and policies in a style and language necessary to guide, inform, and/or persuade.

• Can develop high-level relationships with customers, suppliers and industry.

• Encourages team working.

Managing the Relationship with the Business (Level 6)

• Manages the quality and effectiveness of relationship management activities

• Provides support for business relationship management activities

• Supports business change, acting as a single point of contact for senior stakeholders, facilitating relationships between them.

• Ensures that stakeholders understand available IT services and promotes financial and commercial awareness to deliver value-for- money.

• Conducts analysis of demand for services and influences stakeholders to ensure that the necessary investments are made to deliver required services.

• Negotiates at senior level on technical and commercial issues, to ensure that customers, suppliers and other stakeholders understand and agree what will meet their needs, and that appropriate service level agreements are defined.

• Oversees monitoring of relationships including lessons learned and appropriate feedback.

• Initiates improvement in services, products and systems.

CORE COMPETENCIES – ITD

|Customer Focus |Level: 6 | |• Translates operational feedback into strategic improvements -| | |Acts decisively to address inefficient or underperforming areas| | |of the business. • Sets service targets and monitors progress | | |to drive up service standards. • Acts as role model in personal| | |approach to customer focus • Creates an environment where | | |team/s are empowered to focus on the customer. | | |Professional Development |Level: 6 | |• Has a broad understanding of all aspects of IT and deep | | |understanding of own specialism(s). • Advises on training • | | |Removes barriers to personal development of others in own area | | |of accountability • Evaluates impact of learning, initiates / | | |influences T&D. • Co-ordinates the identification and | | |assessment of new and emerging hardware, software and | | |communication technologies, products, methods and techniques. | | |Evaluates relevance of these Provides regular briefings to | | |staff and management. | | |Plan & Deliver |Level: 6 | |• Has defined authority and responsibility for a significant area| | |of work, including technical, financial and quality aspects. • | | |Establishes objectives, delegates responsibilities. • Is | | |accountable for actions and decisions taken by self and | | |subordinates. • Deals firmly and promptly with performance | | |issues; lets people know what is expected of them and when | | |(where appropriate). • Clarifies business priorities, allocates| | |resources appropriately • Agrees roles and responsibilities of | | |staff and stakeholders, secures resources • Anticipates | | |risk/high impact and acts swiftly to mitigate • Initiates and | | |drives forward projects for area • Develops operational plans | | |for team/area, contributes to strategy. | | |IT Governance |Level: 6 | |• Understands and communicates the role and impact of IT in UL | | |• promotes compliance with relevant governance and strategies. | | |• Influences / develops IT standards, processes, policy and | | |procedures • provides advice and makes decisions appropriate to| | |role. | | |Change, Adaptability and Flexibility |Level: 6 | |• Encourages others to incorporate continuous improvement as a | | |way of approaching work. • Recognises strategic application of | | |IT, and initiates investigation and development of innovative | | |methods of exploiting IT assets • Plays an active role in | | |improving the interface between the business and IT and | | |supporting business change. | | |Decision Making & Problem Solving |Level: 6 | |• Makes decisions which impact the work of ITD, achievement of | | |organisational objectives and financial performance. • | | |Encourages others to implement optimal decisions • Supplies a | | |transparent audit trail of solutions • Makes decisions through | | |weighing up the cost-benefit and risk implications. Provides | | |specialist/authoritative advice to others as required to enable| | |them to make decisions. | | |Leadership |Level: 6 | |• Communicates the vision. Sets direction for own part of the | | |business • Gains commitment • Monitors progress against goal | | |achievement. • Recognises and celebrates others' contributions | | |& achievements. • Works to provide a supportive environment by | | |managing resources and removing blocks to effective working. | | |Communicate & Collaborate |Level: 6 | |• Absorbs complex technical information and communicates | | |effectively at all levels to both technical and non-technical | | |audiences. • Is persuasive, politically aware • Develops | | |strategic proposals and policies in a style and language | | |necessary to guide, inform, and/or persuade. • can develop | | |high-level relationships with customers, suppliers and | | |industry. • Encourages team working | | |Managing the Relationship with the Business |Level: 6 | |• Manages the quality and effectiveness of relationship | | |management activities • Provides support for business | | |relationship management activities • Supports business change, | | |acting as a single point of contact for senior stakeholders, | | |facilitating relationships between them. • Ensures that | | |stakeholders understand available IT services and promotes | | |financial and commercial awareness to deliver value-for-money. | | |• Conducts analysis of demand for services and influences | | |stakeholders to ensure that the necessary investments are made | | |to deliver required services. • Negotiates at senior level on | | |technical and commercial issues, to ensure that customers, | | |suppliers and other stakeholders understand and agree what will| | |meet their needs, and that appropriate service level agreements| | |are defined. • Oversees monitoring of relationships including | | |lessons learned and appropriate feedback. • Initiates | | |improvement in services, products and systems. | |

Further Information for Candidates:

Are you currently legally entitled to work and reside in Ireland?

If you are not currently an EEA Citizen and have stated, you are currently legally entitled to work and reside in Ireland. You MUST upload a copy of your current Visa and Work permit in the attachments section application form, or your application will not be processed. Please note your current work authorisation status must allow you to fulfil the terms of the contract on offer.

Recruitment Procedures used at University of Limerick (UL)

University of Limerick uses a three-stage recruitment procedure: screening, shortlisting and interview.

Screening: Initially, applications for an advertised position are screened to determine if applicants meet the ‘Essential Criteria’ as outlined in the advertised job description. It is only candidates who meet the ‘Essential Criteria’ that progress beyond this stage.

Shortlisting: Depending on the number of applications remaining, it may not be possible to interview every candidate who has passed the screening process. Therefore, at this stage the Selection Board may review the applications and select a final shortlist of candidates who, in their view, are most closely aligned to the post as advertised.

Interview: Once a shortlist has been finalised, all applicants will be notified of the status of their application. The final shortlist of candidates will then be invited to interview. We aim to provide at least two weeks’ notice to all candidates. The interview process will take the format of a standard interview and may include a presentation –you will be provided with details of this in your invitation to interview letter.

University of Limerick benefits to staff

Employees of the University of Limerick receive a variety of benefits including: • Supported professional development under the Researcher Development Programme and Staff Training Programmes.

• Membership of the Public Sector Single Public Service Pension Scheme.

• Membership of the Income Continuance Plan

• The opportunity to join the University’s Additional Life Cover plan.

• Coverage in the UL Sick Leave Scheme (available under “S” on the HR A- Z)

• Flexible working practices such as the Shorter Working Year Scheme.

• Preferential rates for health insurance.

• Employee wellness is a priority and a number of initiatives take place each year for the benefit of UL employees, see more at Be Well at UL.

• Preferential rates for access to the UL Arena swimming pool and fitness centre.

Additional Links: • Join the Team in UL Join the team in UL | University of Limerick • Link to website for new staff New To UL - Staff Roadmap

Equal Opportunities

University of Limerick holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advancing equality in higher education. University of Limerick is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to selection on merit, welcoming applicants from all sections of the community. UL is committed to developing and maintaining a positive working environment, in which all employees are treated with dignity & respect. In pursuit of this, it is the policy of the University to provide all employees with an environment which is free from bullying, harassment or victimisation of any form. You can read more about UL’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion here.

Culture Charter A positive culture within an organisation is a shared system of values and behaviours that influence and reflect how its people behave and interact with each other and the wider community. It is shaped by the everyday actions, behaviours and words that are used. The values and behaviours outlined in UL’s Culture Charter should guide how we act, interact and connect with one another in the challenges and successes of university life.

Pension Abatement If an appointee has previously been employed in the Civil or Public Service and that appointee is entitled to or in receipt of a pension from the Civil or Public Service or where a Civil/Public Service pension comes into payment during the appointee’s re-employment that pension will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012. Please note: In applying for this position you are acknowledging that you understand that the abatement provisions, where relevant, will apply. It is not envisaged that the employing Department/Office/Body will support an application for an abatement waiver in respect of appointments to this position.

Qualifications Please take note of the essential qualifications for this position as listed in the job description. If you are successful in being offered this position, the offer will be made pending the Chair of the selection committee verifying your qualifications. Therefore, after the interview, you will be required to forward your transcripts to the Chair by email. No contract of employment will be issued until all required documentation is received.