M&A Architect

M&A Architect

UK-wide / remote (very flexible model)
6 month contract (strong likelihood of extension)
Up to £900 per day
Inside IR35

The Opportunity

An opportunity has arisen for an experienced M&A Architect to join a global, complex organisation undergoing significant acquisition-led growth.

There are 3/4 active projects currently underway (with more in the pipeline) requiring an experienced M&A Architect to define the target-state architecture and integration direction. The existing architecture team is operating at full capacity, and this contract role exists to enable progress at pace.

This is a delivery-focused, single-threaded role with full ownership of the technical and architectural aspects of M&A integrations. You will act as the design and decision lead across multiple acquired businesses, working in environments with high ambiguity and limited documentation.

This role is not about governance, theory, or enterprise frameworks. It is about making sound architectural decisions quickly and ensuring they land.

Core Objective of the Role

• Define end-state and target-state architectures across acquired businesses.
• Reduce single-person dependencies and mitigate legacy platform risk.
• Ensure integration solutions are fit for purpose, best-in-class, and aligned with the wider technology strategy.
• Support the organisation's M&A integration strategy at pace.

What You'll Be Doing

• Own end-to-end architecture for M&A integration initiatives.
• Act as the technical and design lead across integration and future roadmap activity.
• Work directly with senior business leaders, acquired organisations, delivery teams, vendors, and central technology functions.
• Drive clarity and momentum across fragmented and inconsistent technology landscapes.
• Translate complex technical issues into clear, pragmatic options and recommendations.
• Balance speed, risk, cost, and long-term impact when making architectural decisions.
• Support delivery teams through collaboration and joint planning.
• Act as the technical conscience of integrations, highlighting risk while enabling progress.

Technical Focus Areas

You will operate comfortably across a broad technology landscape, with particular strength in:

• Web platforms and digital architectures
• E-commerce platforms
• Real-time and asynchronous messaging
• Integration patterns, APIs, and system interoperability
• Transitional, coexistence, and migration architectures
• Cloud and infrastructure environments

Key Challenges

• High ambiguity and limited documentation in acquired environments.
• Strong delivery pressure and expectation to move quickly.
• Multiple stakeholders with differing views of risk, urgency, and "good enough".
• Broad, inconsistent technology estates requiring pragmatic, not perfect, solutions.

What We're Looking For

• Strong experience as a Senior Architect or Technical Lead within M&A, integration, or complex transformation programmes.
• Proven ability to own and lead independently, without reliance on heavy governance.
• Broad technical background across modern architectures and integration patterns.
• Comfortable making architectural decisions under pressure with incomplete information.
• Excellent senior stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Pragmatic, delivery-first mindset with a focus on outcomes.
• Strong communication skills, able to simplify complexity quickly.

• Experience with M&A transition-state planning, is highly desirable

Location & Travel

• Very flexible hybrid working across UK.
• Attendance at local UK sites up to 1-2 days per week when required.
• UK travel expected as part of integration activity.
• Travel expenses covered.