Lead Technical Architect

UK Home Office; Salford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UK Home Office is seeking a Lead Technical Architect in Enterprise Services to shape and deliver enterprise-wide infrastructure and technical solutions across projects. You will champion security, scalability and modern tech like cloud and AI while aligning with strategic objectives and governance.

You will define roadmaps, mentor architects, and collaborate with senior leaders to drive continuous improvement and resilient, future-ready technical estates.

Qualifications

• Experience leading complex architectures across multiple domains.
• Ability to coordinate with third-party suppliers and cross-government teams.
• Ability to anticipate future technologies and align solutions with broader strategies.
• Proven delivery of secure, scalable systems within time and quality constraints.
• Strong grasp of agile, DevOps, design patterns, and enterprise frameworks (TOGAF).
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Leadership in mentoring other architects.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain enterprise-wide technical strategies, roadmaps and architectures.
• Oversee design reviews, ensuring Secure by Design and governance compliance.
• Coordinate with cross-government teams and external partners for cohesive solutions.
• Drive digital innovation by evaluating emerging technologies and best practices.
• Mentor architects and foster a culture of technical excellence.
• Facilitate design and delivery of complex systems meeting performance and security needs.
• Lead multiple projects, addressing risks, budgets and timelines.
• Capture lessons learned to inform future strategies.

Skills

Lead architectures

Cross-domain coordination

Emerging technologies

Secure by design

Agile methodologies

DevOps practices

TOGAF

Stakeholder management

Job description

As a Lead Technical Architect in Enterprise Services, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering enterprise-wide infrastructure and technical solutions that support our future business capabilities. Working across multiple projects and teams, you will ensure solutions align with our wider enterprise architecture, strategic objectives and broader government strategies, while leveraging modern technologies, including cloud and AI, to drive secure, scalable and innovative outcomes.

You will provide technical leadership across complex initiatives, balancing immediate delivery needs with long-term scalability, security, maintainability and agility. Collaborating with senior leaders, cross-functional teams and external partners, you will shape technical direction, guide architectural decisions and use clear, concise communication to build consensus and secure buy-in for architectural initiatives.

As an experienced technical leader, you will define and evolve technical roadmaps, advise on strategic technology investments and mentor and support other architects, helping to build a high-performing architecture community. By evaluating emerging technologies and trends, applying lessons learned and championing architectural standards and best practice, you will drive continuous improvement and ensure the technical estate remains flexible, resilient and future-ready.

This is an opportunity to influence technology at scale, shape the future of Enterprise Services and deliver impactful solutions that meet user needs while supporting the Home Office's long-term strategic goals

What you will do:

• Define and maintain enterprise-wide technical strategies, roadmaps, and architectures aligned with broader business objectives.
• Oversee design reviews, incorporating "Secure by Design" principles and compliance with architectural governance.
• Coordinate with cross-government teams and external partners to ensure cohesive, integrated solutions.
• Drive digital innovation by evaluating emerging technologies, embracing best practices, and championing continuous improvement.
• Mentor and coach architects, fostering a culture of collaboration and technical excellence.
• Facilitate the design and delivery of complex systems, ensuring performance, reliability, and security requirements are met.
• Lead multiple projects, collaborating with stakeholders to address risks, budgets, and timelines.
• Evaluate outcomes and integrate lessons learned into future strategies, enabling sustainable, long-term solutions.

What you will bring (Essential Skills)

• Consistent track record of ability to lead complex technical architectures, championing innovation and best practices.
• Experience working across multiple domains or projects, coordinating with third-party suppliers and cross-government teams.
• Aptitude for anticipating future technologies and aligning solutions with broader strategies and business outcomes.
• Expertise in delivering secure, reliable, and scalable systems within defined time and quality constraints.
• Strong grasp of agile methodologies, DevOps principles, and design patterns, paired with enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF).
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, translating complex technical topics for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring or guiding other architects or technical professionals.

Please note - 3+ years UK residency is typically required to be eligible for SC Clearance and unfortunately, we cannot offer sponsorship.