Head of Architecture – IT Services

MRG Global; West Midlands Combined Authority; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A Midlands based Higher Education provider seeks an experienced Head of Architecture on an interim basis. This role is pivotal in aligning the university’s architecture with its strategic goals, providing leadership to a skilled team, and ensuring operational excellence and innovation across the institution.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in enterprise architecture within complex environments.
• Deep understanding of organisational processes.
• Ability to model and visualize business architectures.

Responsibilities

• Oversee a team of skilled architects, providing leadership and mentorship.
• Align technology landscape with strategic goals.
• Ensure architectural decisions support long-term vision.

Skills

Strategic Thinking

Communication

Collaboration

Innovation

Job description

I am currently working with a Midlands based Higher Education provider who are seeking an experienced Head of Architecture on an interim basis.

This pivotal role is responsible for shaping and aligning the university’s business, data, application, and technical architectures with its strategic goals and the successful candidate will play a central role in ensuring that the technology landscape supports operational excellence, data governance, and innovation across the institution.

Reporting directly to the CIO, the Head of Architecture will oversee a team of skilled architects and specialists, providing leadership, mentorship, and direction. This role involves close collaboration with stakeholders at all levels, from senior leaders to operational managers, to translate strategic goals into actionable plans and technology solutions. The Head of Architecture will also contribute to governance processes, ensuring that architectural decisions support the university’s long-term vision and deliver measurable business value.

The ideal candidate will be a solution-oriented leader, capable of balancing strategic thinking with attention to detail. They will possess a broad understanding of enterprise-wide technologies and be adept at integrating new systems into existing infrastructures. A strong communicator, you will be able to articulate complex technical concepts in accessible language and foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement within the architecture function.

We are looking for someone with a proven track record in enterprise architecture, including experience in systems, infrastructure, security, and service design gained within a complex multi faceted environment. The role demands a deep understanding of organisational processes and the ability to model and visualise business architectures that support strategic planning and innovation.

This is a great opportunity to shape the future of technology at a leading academic institution. If you are passionate about architecture, strategy, and leadership, and you thrive in a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment, I would love to hear from you.

For further information please contact Sian Gardiner at the Management Recruitment Group on [e-mail]

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