Enterprise Architect - FTC

Wates; Leatherhead; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction and engineering firm based in Leatherhead is seeking an experienced Enterprise Architect for a 12-month contract. In this role, you will lead the IT Architecture team, ensuring that our enterprise architecture aligns with business goals and drives innovation. You should have proven experience managing a team, strong knowledge of systems engineering, and relevant certifications such as TOGAF. The firm offers a competitive salary, flexible working, and extensive corporate benefits including private medical insurance and generous maternity/paternity leave.

Benefits

Competitive salary & bonus

Flexible working

Car Allowance / Company Car

Private Medical

Pension 8% employers’ contribution

Health and Wellness programme

26 days holidays + bank holidays

Learning and development activities

Family leave benefits

Qualifications

• Proven success in managing a team of Solution Architects.
• Strong understanding of hardware, software, applications, and systems engineering.
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Maintain architecture artefacts, models, and standards.
• Enforce architectural compliance and governance across projects.
• Drive cost efficiency, scalability, and adaptability in architecture.

Skills

Excellent communication

Negotiation

Problem-solving

Education

TOGAF certification

Zachman certification

Tools

Enterprise architecture frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman)

Job description

Enterprise Architect – 12 Month FTC

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Enterprise Architect to lead our IT Architecture team and shape the future of technology at Wates. This pivotal role ensures our enterprise architecture supports business goals, drives innovation, and delivers scalable, cost‑efficient solutions across the organisation.

As the Enterprise Architect, you will:

• Maintain and evolve Wates’ enterprise architecture principles and vision.
• Develop and manage the IT Roadmap aligned with business strategies.
• Act as the design authority for Wates IT, ensuring standardisation and reusability.
• Provide technical sign‑off for mission‑critical projects at all gateways.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain architecture artefacts, models, and standards in line with frameworks such as TOGAF or Zachman.
• Enforce architectural compliance and governance across projects.
• Ensure systems, data, and technology align with business and IT goals.
• Drive cost efficiency, scalability, and adaptability in enterprise‑wide architecture.
• Support solution development and monitor compliance with agreed policies and roadmaps.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience: Proven success in a similar role managing a team of Solution Architects, including leading a structured design process. Industry relevant experience is preferable.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of hardware, software, applications, and systems engineering.
• Qualifications: Ideally certified in TOGAF, Zachman, or similar frameworks.
• Skills: Excellent communication, negotiation and problem‑solving skills. Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders, including senior leaders. Able to explain value of solution and enterprise architecture.
• Behaviours: Approachable, collaborative and results‑driven. Role models Wates’ values:

Care – for people, customers, and communities.

Fairness – inclusive, respectful, and transparent.

Look for a better way – inquisitive, innovative, and committed to excellence.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive salary & bonus
• Flexible working
• Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role / Grade)
• Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates)
• Extensive corporate benefits including Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more…
• Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression.
• Industry leading family leave benefits to include 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 8 weeks fully paid paternity.

Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Baseline Personnel Security Standard Check (BPSS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offences. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre‑employment checks.

To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link : National Security Vetting