Head of Digital Architecture Services | Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading NHS Trust in Manchester is seeking a Head of Digital Architecture Services. This pivotal role involves overseeing digital teams, developing architecture strategies, and ensuring the effective delivery of architectural services across operations. The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise in digital architecture, experience in leadership, and the ability to engage with senior leaders and external partners. The position offers an opportunity to shape the digital landscape within a major healthcare organization.

Qualifications

• Strong technical knowledge in digital architecture.
• Experience in managing architectural services.
• Ability to collaborate with senior leaders and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop an overarching digital architecture strategy.
• Provide expert guidance in establishing a high performing digital ecosystem.
• Ensure alignment of technical design across all projects.

Skills

Digital architecture expertise

Technical leadership

Enterprise architecture standards

Job description

Overview

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a highly skilled individual to join their digital team as the Head of Digital Architecture Services. This pivotal role will oversee specialist teams, including Platforms, System Architects, Integration, and Software Development, responsible for delivering reliable and proficient architectural services. Additionally, this position entails managing the comprehensive technical responsibilities essential for supporting the Trust’s systems and service operations.

The role requires close collaboration with senior leaders across corporate and clinical services within the Trust, as well as with external stakeholders, to ensure unified provision and delivery of digital services. The successful candidate must demonstrate strong technical knowledge and practical expertise in digital architecture, particularly in establishing enterprise architecture standards that align with computing, networks, and storage infrastructures. They will be tasked with mapping the Trust environment, ensuring a consistent and robust approach to avoid duplication and complexity, embracing cutting-edge technologies, and serving as the design authority on matters such as system selection.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the development of establish an overarching digital architecture strategy, which sets principles and guidelines for enterprise architecture for areas such as applications and systems, data, technology and infrastructure. Working closely with senior members of the digital team
• To provide expert guidance and specialist knowledge in establishing a high performing digital eco system.
• Responsible for defining and championing the architecture and design frameworks, governance and the processes that underpin them. Ensuring that the practices and standards support technology investments
• Translation of complex business systems into a new enterprise architecture that simplifies the technology ecosystem and helps to define the path to successful implementation through their transformation programmes.
• Chair relevant IT architecture and design governance forums and steering groups
• Oversee the documentation of all architectural models and design outputs (including high level design, low level designs, architectural assessments etc.) ensuring they are fit for purpose, relevant and useful.
• Ensure the alignment of technical design across all projects and programmes.
• Work with third party partners to ensure quality and adherence to relevant architecture governance.
• Additional context about the organisation: MFT is one of the largest NHS Trusts in England with a turnover of over £3bn; it is scaling to deliver integrated health and social care and supports 1 million patients yearly.
• Be part of a digitally enabled organisation to improve clinical quality, patient and staff experience, operational effectiveness and innovation through Hive (Electronic Patient Record system).

About us

We’re proud to be a major academic Research Centre & Education provider, providing you with a robust infrastructure to encourage and facilitate high-quality research programmes. We’re embarking on our Green Plan to make healthcare more sustainable. We foster inclusion and equal opportunities, with an emphasis on diversity and wellbeing.

Application & Diversity

To find out more about the key responsibilities and the specific skills and experience you’ll need, see the Job Description & Person Specification attachments under the ‘Supporting Documents’. Read the Candidate Essentials Guide for details about the Trust, benefits, and how we care for you as you care for others. Diversity Matters: MFT is committed to promoting equality of opportunity and eliminating discrimination. All individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, pregnancy, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation are encouraged to apply. If you have special requirements, email [e-mail].

Closing

This advert closes on Sunday 14 Sep 2025