Digital Architect

West Midlands Police; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

West Midlands Police is recruiting a Digital Architect to shape the Synergy strategy and ensure digital capabilities are embedded in applications and services across the force, enabling trusted user experiences and real-world policing impact.

Reporting to the Senior Architecture Manager, you will own the Application Architecture Blueprint, oversee usability and social media integration, and collaborate across IT & Digital to deliver secure, scalable solutions.

Responsibilities

• Solution Design: Propose, define and articulate the impact of new Force initiatives, including changes to Existing Architecture.
• Architecture Alignment: Use architecture standards to guide projects, improve reuse, and ensure proper component integration.
• Governance and Standards: Define and govern technology hardware, software standards, and capabilities through bodies like the Technical Design Authority (TDA).
• Quality Assurance: Provide expert input on impact assessments, tender responses, third-party solutions, and implementation standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Propose new initiatives, present outputs clearly to varied stakeholders, and promote IT and digital solutions

Job description

Introduction to the department

The IT & Digital department is responsible for the force’s adoption and use of information and digital technology.

The department consists of three core functions as follows:

• Architecture Management (responsible for identifying and selecting the right technologies for the force)
• Delivery Management (responsible for delivering and implementing the right technologies for the force)
• Service Management (responsible for managing and maintaining all live, operational technology for the force)

Outline of the role

West Midlands Police have completed a large-scale digital transformation programme, and therefore technologies such as Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Mobility are no longer visionary – they underpin policing today.The next stage in our technology ambition is focused around the concept of Synergy and delivering amazing User Experiences.This role will help focus and shape our path in the Synergy strategy – and thus drive real-world impact on policing technology, therefore allowing us to excel at our vision; to prevent crime, protect the public and help those in need.

The Digital Architect, reporting to the Senior Architecture Manager, is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate digital capabilities are built into systems, applications and solutions to ensure that service supplied by IT & Digital satisfy the requirements of the Force’s Digital strategy.

The role of Digital Architect specialises in Application Functionality (similar to that of Functional Architect), Usability/User Experience as well as social media.

The postholder will be expected to manage and maintain the Application Architecture Blueprint for the force.

Key Responsibilities

• Solution Design: Propose, define and articulate the impact of new Force initiatives, including changes to Existing Architecture. Responsible for the design of customer solutions delivered by West Midlands Police IT & Digital
• Architecture Alignment: Use architecture standards to guide projects, improve reuse, and ensure proper component integration.
• Governance and Standards: Define and govern technology hardware, software standards, and capabilities through bodies like the Technical Design Authority (TDA).
• Quality Assurance: Provide expert input on impact assessments, tender responses, third-party solutions, and implementation standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Propose new initiatives, present outputs clearly to varied stakeholders, and promote IT and digital solutions

Salary and Hours

Salary: £57,186.00 - £60,912.00

Hours:This is a full-time position working between core hours of 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday. The role is hybrid working with 60% of working days on-site.

Selection Process

1. Online Application and Sift - You will complete an online application form, which will be reviewed against the skills, experience and behaviours required for the role.

Closing Date: 11/10/2026

2. Candidates who successfully pass the application stage will be invited for a test/presentation and an interview. This will provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate your suitability for the role.

Proposed date(s): w/c 26/10/2026

3. Pre-Employment Checks - If you are selected as the preferred candidate, you will be required to successfully complete relevant pre-employment checks before receiving a formal offer. For internal candidates, some checks may not be required. Checks may include:

• Vetting Checks - You must successfully complete the required level of Management vetting and Security clearance before starting the role. This may include providing information relating to your background and financial history as part of the vetting process.
• Medical Checks - Appointment to this role is subject to successfully completing medical checks. This may include a drugs test and, where required, a fitness assessment.
• Reference Checks - You will need to provide details covering at least five years of employment, education or other relevant activity history.

We are committed to supporting candidates throughout the recruitment process and reasonable adjustments are available for those who need them.