Lead Architect

NHBC; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing standards organization in the UK seeks a Lead Architect to provide strategic leadership in enterprise architecture. You will align technology with business goals, mentor architects, and oversee design assurance processes. This full-time, hybrid role offers a salary of £95,000 - £100,000 plus a competitive bonus. The organization provides extensive benefits including annual leave, enhanced pensions, and a focus on personal development.

Benefits

27 days annual leave + bank holidays

Enhanced pension scheme (up to 10.5%)

Subsidised private medical insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Employee discounts platform

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading architecture functions in complex or regulated organisations.
• Deep knowledge of enterprise, data, integration, and cloud architecture.
• Proven ability to align architecture with strategy and transformation goals.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve NHBC's enterprise architecture strategy.
• Lead the Architecture Design Authority, ensuring high-quality design assurance.
• Align architecture with business strategy and transformation needs.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Architectural frameworks (e.g., TOGAF)

Communication

Understanding of emerging technologies

Job description

Overview

Lead Architect

Salary: £95,000 - £100,000 plus 20% bonus

Working location: Milton Keynes, Hybrid

Employment type: Full time, Permanent

Job Summary:

We’re looking for a Lead Architect to provide strategic direction and leadership across NHBC’s enterprise, solution, data, integration, and technology architecture. Reporting to the Chief Data & Architecture Officer, you’ll set architectural standards, ensure coherence across solutions, and align technology investments with NHBC’s business strategy and transformation goals.

You’ll lead NHBC’s architecture community, mentoring domain architects, driving secure by design principles, and promoting innovation that’s both ethical and business-focused. As Chair of the Architecture Design Authority, you’ll oversee design assurance, guide major change initiatives, and influence senior stakeholders to keep NHBC’s architecture future-ready, compliant, and cost-effective.

What you’ll do

• Own and evolve NHBC’s enterprise architecture strategy, framework, and governance
• Lead the Architecture Design Authority, ensuring high-quality design assurance
• Align architecture with business strategy, transformation, and regulatory needs
• Champion standards, reuse, and composability across all technology domains
• Mentor domain architects and develop NHBC’s professional architecture community
• Collaborate with business, security, and operations teams to embed secure by design principles
• Provide expert input to investment decisions, technology roadmaps, and innovation initiatives
• Ensure architecture governance integrates seamlessly with Agile and DevOps delivery

What you’ll bring

• Extensive experience leading architecture functions in complex or regulated organisations
• Deep knowledge of enterprise, data, integration, and cloud architecture
• Proven ability to align architecture with strategy and transformation goals
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Expertise in architecture frameworks (e.g. TOGAF) and design assurance practices
• Understanding of governance, risk, and compliance in technology delivery
• Awareness of emerging technologies, AI and automation, and their architectural implications

What we offer

Our benefits package includes:

• 27 days annual leave + bank holidays
• holiday purchase scheme
• enhanced pension scheme (up to 10.5%)
• life assurance
• subsidised private medical insurance
• employee discounts platform
• two days volunteer leave
• enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption leave and pay for all new parents

+ many more!

Who we are

At NHBC, we pride ourselves on being truly unique. No other organisation in our sector matches the range of services and scale we provide. As the market leader, we are recognised as the go-to for new home warranties and insurance. Our team is united by a core purpose: to raise the standards of house building and protect homeowners.

Why you should join us

As a modern, family-friendly employer, we’re in a phase of rapid growth, embracing technology, data and new ways of working. We’re seeking passionate, skilled and driven individuals to join us on this exciting journey.

Once onboard, you’ll have access to fantastic opportunities for personal and career growth. You’ll receive thorough training, continuous development and the chance to earn recognised qualifications and professional memberships to support your journey.

We support flexible working and encourage our colleagues to find a balance that suits them. While we may not be able to accommodate every request, we’re always happy to have a conversation about flexible working arrangements.

Our inclusive culture

We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We firmly believe in the right of all our employees and customers to be treated fairly, with dignity and respect, and free from discrimination. Our active employee networks support colleagues and their allies, providing safe spaces for open conversations and idea‑sharing.