Chief Architect (£69,501 - £98,061)

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA); Swansea; Hybrid; GBP 69,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent government agency in the UK seeks a Chief Architect to lead architectural strategies for digital services. This role is central to developing platforms that enhance user experiences for millions. Responsibilities include overseeing architecture functions, collaborating with stakeholders, and influencing organizational change. Candidates should possess significant architecture expertise and a proven track record in selecting suitable platforms. A competitive package including a salary of £69,501 plus a digital allowance and comprehensive benefits is offered.

Benefits

Employer pension contribution

25 days annual leave

On-site gym and nursery

Flexible working options

Qualifications

• Significant architecture expertise with hands-on experience in real-world systems.
• Proven experience in shaping technical services and selecting platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture function ensuring high-quality delivery.
• Communicate with senior stakeholders across organisations.
• Direct the development of architectures for complex systems.
• Provide strategic technical leadership for digital services.

Skills

Architecture expertise

Technical design

Leadership

Communicating and influencing

Relationship building

Job description

Overview

As Chief Architect within the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), you will be at the heart of modernising services used by millions of people every day. This senior leadership role is pivotal in shaping technical services and selecting platforms and technologies that meet organisational needs and deliver outstanding user experiences. It requires engaging and influencing senior leaders, Executive and Board level stakeholders to secure alignment and buy-in for architectural strategies that drive digital transformation across the organisation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture function ensuring high‑quality delivery is aligned to our technology strategy.
• Network and communicate with senior stakeholders across organisations, overseeing prospect‑gathering and scene‑setting meetings with other government departments.
• Proactively seek opportunities for digital transformation, directing the development of architectures for complex systems and ensuring consistency with specified requirements agreed with internal and external customers.
• Support multiple teams, finding and using best practice and emerging technologies, overseeing work with external suppliers to ensure the reference architecture is robust, scalable, open and secure.
• Inspire other architects and help them understand how to deliver the goals of the organisation, providing strategic technical leadership in the development, operation and ongoing improvement of complex, transformational digital services that serve millions of users.
• Be responsible for architectural governance, solving complex and high‑risk issues or delivering architecture design.

Qualifications

We are looking for someone with significant architecture expertise with hands‑on experience in real‑world systems. You will have proven experience in shaping technical services and selecting platforms and technologies that meet organisational requirements and user needs.

Behaviours

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others

Technical Skills

• Technical Design throughout the life cycle – Expert
• Making Architectural Decisions – Expert
• Strategy Design – Expert
• Leading the design, delivery and continuous improvement of complex digital services that enable organisational transformation.
• Developing and directing organisation‑wide architectural strategies and frameworks that align technology capabilities with long‑term business growth and outcomes.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with business leaders, external partners, and vendors to influence and ensure architectural decisions deliver business value.

Pay & Benefits

Base pay: £69,501. Digital and Data allowance up to £28,560. Total compensation is based on skills and experience demonstrated through the selection process.

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King's birthday.
• Flexible working options and a culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• On‑site gym plus personal training available.
• On‑site nursery, restaurant and coffee bar.

Working Hours & Hybrid Working

Full‑time only, 37 hours per week. Minimum of 60% of working time a month will be spent at the designated workplace or another office/work location. Hybrid working is a non‑contractual arrangement subject to business requirements.

Visa Sponsorship & Security

DVLA cannot sponsor Skilled Worker Visa sponsorship. Successful candidates must meet security requirements, including a minimum of 5 years continuous residency in the UK.

Nationality Requirements

Open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, Commonwealth citizens with right to work in the UK, EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and family members with settled or pre‑settled status, and other eligible groups listed in the full vacancy profile.

Contact

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. To contact the vacancy holder, please use the job contact details listed under 'Contact point for applicants'.