Head of IT Architecture

Delaney & Bourton; Southampton; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading enterprise organization in Southampton is seeking a Head of IT Architecture to spearhead the modernization of their IT architecture. This role involves leading significant multi-million-pound delivery programs, improving architectural capabilities, and engaging with C-suite stakeholders. Candidates should have substantial experience in architecture leadership and a proven track record of driving execution in technology modernization. On-site presence will be required, with a competitive salary package offered.

Benefits

£50,000 Bonus

Car Allowance

Qualifications

• Demonstrable Architecture leadership experience leading teams on technology modernisation programmes.
• Strong track record of program delivery and execution.
• Excellent communication skills in front of CxO and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the modernisation of IT Architecture as a delivery-focused capability.
• Manage significant multi-million £ delivery programmes, focusing on cloud and SaaS.
• Enhance the capability and delivery mindset of the architecture team.

Skills

Architecture leadership

Stakeholder management

Change management

Program delivery

Modern technology trends

Job description

Role: Head of IT Architecture

Location: Open, there will be a need for on-site presence

Salary / Package: circa £150,000 - £165,000 + £50,000 Bonus + Car Allowance

As Head of Architecture, you’ll play a leading role in modernising and re-establishing how Architecture delivers value to the organisation, with a shift to a business‑value driven department that are eager to leverage modern Architecture practices with a key focus on Enterprise Applications, SaaS, Cloud, Data and Integration.

This is an enterprise‑organisation with a complex estate, multi‑thousand end‑user environment within a regulated sector. A brand you’ll recognise by name. 2026 is a year of significant investment within Technology.

This will suit a commercially focused, modern Architecture Leader, likely a Head of Architecture, Chief Architect or a Lead Architect that can demonstrate extreme potential. Suited to a natural Leader that is delivery focused rather than EA or Governance. Buy over build, so not after a deep technical person.

Key areas of role

• Responsible for modernising and re‑positioning the organisations IT Architecture capability as a delivery‑focused, value add delivery stream
• Lead on significant multi‑million £ delivery programmes, with emphasis on modern cloud‑first, SaaS, Integration and Data modernisation
• Managing c‑suite stakeholder relationships, and articulating Architecture value to the business
• Improving the capability and delivery mindset of a large team of Solution, Data and Integration Architects
• Ability to challenge the status‑quo, horizon scan, and keeping up to date with industry technology and trends, adopting forward thinking approaches

Experience required

• Demonstrable Architecture leadership experience, leading teams of SA’s, Data and Integration Architects on significant technology modernisation programmes
• Track record of delivery – this isn’t a governance / compliance focused role, we’re interested in someone that drives execution with strong programme delivery and change exposure
• Credible, reliable and excellent in front of CxO
• Operated within a reputable brand, household name, within a regulated environment
• Experience of non‑traditional Architecture implementation – this could be Agile based, Product Architecture or Domain Architecture

There will be an expectation of some on‑site.