Head of Architecture

Location: Hybrid role based in Glasgow, Edinburgh or London, United Kingdom

Company

Sword provides business technology solutions for the energy, public and finance sectors, combining technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to support client transformation.

What you will do

• Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to the Architecture function as interim Head of Architecture.
• Coordinate Enterprise and Solution Architects and establish priorities across assurance, strategic development and project support.
• Develop enterprise architecture strategies, roadmaps, capability models, target-state architectures and transition plans.
• Lead architecture assurance for project, programme, vendor and partner solutions, applying standards, principles and governance processes.
• Provide technical leadership across IT, OT and digital initiatives, resolving architecture risks, gaps and dependencies.
• Build trusted relationships with executives, programme leaders, technology teams and suppliers, communicating complex decisions clearly.

Requirements

• Experience leading an Architecture function, team or significant architecture workstream at Head of Architecture, Chief Architect or Lead Enterprise Architect level.
• Strong knowledge of Enterprise Architecture and Solution Architecture across applications, infrastructure, cloud, integration, data, security and operational environments.
• Significant experience in architecture governance, design assurance, technical decision-making, principles, standards, guardrails and review processes.
• Experience developing architecture strategies, roadmaps, capability models and target-state architectures.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills with senior business and technology leaders.
• Experience supporting major transformation or digitalisation programmes and working in environments with changing priorities.

Nice to have

• Utilities or other asset-intensive industry experience, including transport, infrastructure, engineering, manufacturing or oil and gas.
• Experience with Operational Technology and IT/OT relationships.
• Experience in safety-critical or regulated operational environments and major capital or infrastructure delivery programmes.
• Familiarity with TOGAF or other architecture frameworks and federated architecture models.

Culture & Benefits

• Flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.
• Personalised career development plans and learning opportunities.
• Annual leave, enhanced family-friendly benefits and a pension scheme.
• Private health, wellbeing and insurance schemes, an employee assistance programme and discounted cash plan.
• Inclusive workplace with accessibility support available during the hiring process.