Head of Engineering & Architecture Vendor Solutions

Xpertise Recruitment; England; Remote; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a highly experienced Head of Engineering & Architecture to focus on vendor assurance. This remote-first role requires a strategic leader with over 7 years in solution architecture and broad technical knowledge. Importance is laid on engaging with stakeholders and ensuring quality delivery without direct team management. Ideal for technical leaders and problem solvers.

Qualifications

• 7+ years experience in solution architecture essential.
• Broad technical knowledge across software, infrastructure, data, and cloud.
• Consulting background highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead vendor assurance & quality control ensuring delivery meets agreed standards.
• Engage with executives, stakeholders, and vendors to drive accountability.
• Monitor KPIs and programme outcomes, ensuring delivery aligns with investment.

Skills

Solution architecture

Vendor assurance

Stakeholder engagement

Technical leadership

Job description

Overview

Head of Engineering & Architecture - Vendor Assurance

Contract: 12 months (Inside IR35)

Rate: £800 £1,000 per day

Location: Remote-first, with meetings in London every other week

Start: ASAP (max 1-month notice period)

Openings: 2 roles

Opportunity

We are seeking a highly experienced Head of Engineering/ Architecture with a strong solution architecture background. This is a hands-on, strategic role focused on vendor assurance, ensuring that external delivery partners meet technical, commercial, and business expectations.

Important: This role does not involve line management you will not be leading teams. Instead, your focus is on:

• Holding vendors accountable for quality and delivery.
• Providing technical oversight across multiple domains (cloud, infrastructure, software, data).
• Advising stakeholders and executives with credible solution architecture expertise.
• Ensuring programmes deliver measurable business outcomes.

This role is broadly technical, not purely cloud-focused (AWS knowledge desirable but not essential), and ideal for someone who thrives as a technical leader and problem solver.

Responsibilities

• Lead vendor assurance & quality control, ensuring delivery meets agreed standards.
• Assess technical solutions, challenge assumptions, and mitigate risks.
• Engage with executives, stakeholders, and vendors to drive clarity, accountability, and results.
• Monitor KPIs and programme outcomes, ensuring delivery aligns with investment.
• Operate as a technical advisor and quasi-Product Owner, guiding strategy without direct team management.

Qualifications / Required Experience

• 7+ years experience in solution architecture (essential).
• years experience in technical leadership, programme management, or consulting.
• Proven experience in vendor assurance / vendor quality management.
• Broad technical knowledge across software, infrastructure, data, and cloud.
• Strong stakeholder engagement comfortable briefing executives and influencing decisions.
• Consulting background (BCG, McKinsey, or similar) highly desirable.
• Experience in startup/scale-up environments and/or large enterprise operations.
• Technically astute, capable of deep-diving to assess vendor delivery and solution integrity.

If interested please apply