Architecture Team Lead

Forvis Mazars LLP; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Forvis Mazars is seeking an experienced IT Architecture Team Lead to shape the UK architecture function, aligning technology with business priorities and governing architectural decisions.

You'll work with UK and Group IT teams, security, data, operations and suppliers to deliver secure, scalable solutions and develop a mature architecture capability that delivers real business value.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading IT Architecture within a complex organisation.
• Experience establishing architecture governance, design authorities and decision frameworks.
• Proven ability to partner with senior stakeholders to translate strategy into technology outcomes.
• Experience coaching and developing architects or technical specialists.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the architecture vision, principles, standards and guardrails across the UK estate.
• Translate business strategy into target-state architectures and delivery roadmaps.
• Lead architecture governance processes (TDA, design reviews, exception management).
• Provide pragmatic architecture guidance to programmes, projects and change initiatives.
• Build strong relationships with business stakeholders to influence technology decisions.
• Maintain-quality architecture documentation, roadmaps, design records and reference architectures.
• Drive continuous improvement of architecture practices, governance, tooling and standards.
• Manage demand and prioritisation to focus on high-value initiatives.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of architecture professionals.
• Embed security, resilience, data and compliance considerations into decisions.

Skills

Leadership

Architecture governance

TOGAF

ITIL

COBIT

Architecture roadmaps

Security & compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Forvis Mazars is a leading global professional services network providing audit & assurance, tax, and advisory services. Forvis Mazars in the UK spans 14 offices across the nation and has over 3,400 professionals, with 190 partners. We have a clear purpose and a shared commitment to shape a better future. You'll join a collaborative and inclusive team where you're supported to grow your skills, explore new opportunities, and contribute from day one. You'll work with a diverse client base, develop meaningful connections, and gain experience that extends beyond your local team. Together, we grow, belong and impact.

About the team

Our Business Services team is a collective of strategic, innovative and forward-thinking professionals who enable the success of our firm. Bringing together teams across People & Culture, Marketing & Communications, IT, Operations, Finance, and Quality & Risk Management, we ensure Forvis Mazars has the right technology, tools, processes and support services to deliver exceptional client experiences and drive future growth. As part of our IT function, you'll play a critical role in shaping the technology landscape that supports our people, our clients and our business ambitions.

About the role

We're looking for an experienced IT Architecture Team Lead to lead and continue to improve the maturity of our UK Architecture function. This is a strategic leadership role with a strong delivery focus. You'll be responsible for defining architectural direction, ensuring technology decisions align with business priorities and establishing governance that enables secure, scalable and resilient technology solutions. Working closely with UK and Group IT teams, business leaders, Security, Data, Operations, Change Management and third-party suppliers, you'll help shape technology roadmaps, support major programmes of work and build a mature architecture capability that delivers real business value.

Key responsibilities

• Defining and maintaining the architecture vision, principles, standards and technology guardrails across the UK estate.
• Translating business strategy into target-state architectures, practical roadmaps and delivery priorities.
• Leading architecture governance processes, including Technical Design Authority (TDA), design reviews and exception management.
• Providing pragmatic architecture guidance to programmes, projects and change initiatives.
• Building strong relationships with business stakeholders to understand operational priorities and influence technology decisions.
• Establishing and maintaining high-quality architecture documentation, including roadmaps, design documents, decision records and reference architectures.
• Driving continuous improvement of architecture practices, governance processes, tooling and standards.
• Managing architecture demand and prioritisation to ensure resources focus on the highest-value initiatives.
• Leading, coaching and developing a team of architecture professionals.
• Embedding security, resilience, data and compliance considerations into technology decisions from the outset.

What we are looking for

Experience Proven experience leading or significantly shaping an IT Architecture function within a complex organisation. Strong experience establishing architecture governance, standards, design authorities and decision-making frameworks. Experience partnering with senior business and technology stakeholders to translate strategy into technology outcomes. A successful track record of enabling project delivery through practical and risk-based architectural leadership. Experience coaching and developing architects or technical specialists.

Technical Knowledge

Broad architecture knowledge spanning applications, integration, infrastructure, cloud, data, identity, security and operational service management. Strong understanding of architecture frameworks and governance practices such as TOGAF, ITIL and COBIT. Experience creating and reviewing architecture artefacts including HLDs, LLDs, architecture roadmaps, options assessments and architecture decision records. Knowledge of security, resilience, compliance and audit requirements within enterprise environments.

Personal Attributes

A strategic thinker who can balance long-term vision with operational delivery needs. Business-focused and able to understand how technology supports organisational success. A strong communicator who can explain complex technical concepts in a clear and engaging way. A collaborative leader who builds trusted relationships across technical and non-technical teams. Comfortable facilitating governance discussions, constructive challenge and informed decision-making. Passionate about quality, continuous improvement and developing high-performing teams.

Why we celebrate diversity

At Forvis Mazars diversity, equity and inclusion are central to our values. We value our people's unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experience, and know this diversity create better outcomes for our clients. We seek to attract, develop, and retain the best talent, inclusive of sex, ethnicity, disability, socio-economic background, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, and faith. We select candidates based on skills, knowledge, qualifications, and experience and aim to support all our team members to reach their potential. At Forvis Mazars, we promote an environment in which you cangrowyour skills, belongto a team that values your ideas, and make animpactthat matters.

Additional Information

Forvis Mazars is a leading global professional services network providing audit & assurance, tax, and advisory services. Forvis Mazars in the UK spans 14 offices across the nation and has over 3,400 professionals, with 190 partners. We have a clear purpose and a shared commitment to shape a better future. We’re always looking ahead – for you, our clients, and the communities we’re part of. We’ll support you to learn, explore, and grow as you take this journey with us. Here, you’ll feel safe to share bold ideas and unique perspectives. After all, success comes from working together. At Forvis Mazars, you’ll belong to your local team, gain global experience, and have an impact – now and in the future. Together, we grow, belong and impact.

We’re in the middle of transitioning to a new recruitment system, and we’re excited to share our career opportunities with you. Vacancies are now being posted, and further roles will continue to appear over the coming weeks. As we complete the transition, you may notice the occasional issue, and we appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your patience while we get everything in place.