Partner, Head of Group Architecture

Knight Frank; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Knight Frank is seeking a Head of Group Architecture to design and govern the firm's enterprise-wide architecture across platforms, data, workflow, integration and AI-enabled capability. The role leads architectural change at a global scale, replacing fragmentation with coherent foundations to enable growth and client experience.

The candidate will have led major transformation programmes, shaped architecture across regions, and influenced senior executives to adopt new ways of working, with a

Qualifications

• Proven leadership of large-scale, multi-market transformation programmes.
• Experience shaping and governing architecture across multiple regions.
• Track record moving organisations from fragmented legacy estates to modern platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Group architectural transformation of Knight Frank globally.
• Define, own and govern the global architecture and guardrails.
• Shape architecture standards, principles and guardrails for global consistency.
• Provide architectural leadership across major transformation programmes.
• Partner with senior leaders to roadmaps aligning technology with business priorities.
• Develop and mature the global architecture community of Enterprise and Solution Architects.
• Oversee governance, vendor proposals and solution designs to reduce technical debt.
• Drive simplification and rationalisation across the global estate.
• Ensure architecture supports regulatory, risk and compliance requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Programme management

Enterprise architecture

Governance

Stakeholder management

Job description

Who are we

Founded in 1896, Knight Frank was registered as Knight Frank LLP a Limited Liability Partnership, on 3 November 2003, registered in England & Wales at 55 Baker Street, London, W1U 8AN with the registered number of OC305934. Headquartered in London, UK, Knight Frank is one of the world’s leading independent real estate consultancies. We work responsibly in partnership to enhance people’s lives and environments in over 50 Markets, 600+ Offices, 20,000+ People, 1 Global Network.

At the heart of all we do are our Clients. A relationship built on trust is vital. As trusted partners in property, we act with integrity and care, understanding our clients’ unique needs and consistently thinking about the bigger picture to provide personalised, clear and considered advice across all areas of property. Through our deep understanding of key markets and sectors – both emerging and established – we are dedicated to meeting and exceeding their property goals.

A true partnership is a balanced one, and our People are passionate about, and committed to, making our business inclusive and diverse. We give every individual the space and opportunity to perform at their best and be recognised for the immense value they bring. We empower everyone to have autonomy in their role and encourage them to use their voice in how we can make a positive impact as a firm and shape the future of real estate, the built environment and the impact on the communities we serve. Our collaborative and engaged teams provide excellent and dedicated client service. In our workplace, opinions are respected, everyone is invited to contribute to the success of our business and innovation, and new ideas are celebrated.

In 2021 we celebrated our 125th anniversary and set out Our Desired Future, cemented in three pillars: People Potential, Client Centricity and always Creating our Future, together. Learn more about what sets us apart here.

About The Role

Role Purpose

The Head of Group Architecture is a senior transformation leader responsible for designing and governing Knight Frank’s enterprise‑wide architecture across platforms, data, workflow, integration and AI‑enabled capability. The role exists to lead architectural change at global scale - replacing fragmentation with coherent, modern foundations that enable growth, client experience, productivity and regulatory compliance.

This role requires someone who has led major, multi‑market transformation programmes, shaped enterprise architecture in complex organisations, and influenced senior executives to adopt new ways of working. It demands proven leadership of architectural change across regions, business lines and legacy estates.

Key accountabilities

• Lead the Group architectural transformation of Knight Frank, moving the firm from a fragmented, region‑specific technology estate to a coherent, scalable, enterprise architecture that supports growth, client experience, productivity and regulatory compliance.
• Define, own and govern the global architecture, ensuring alignment across platforms, data, workflow, identity, integration and AI‑enabled capability, and preventing unnecessary divergence across markets.
• Shape and drive architectural standards, principles and guardrails that enable regional flexibility while ensuring global consistency, interoperability and long‑term value creation.
• Provide architectural leadership across major transformation programmes, ensuring that investment decisions, programme roadmaps and solution designs align to the global architecture and support enterprise‑wide outcomes.
• Partner with senior business leaders and Partners globally, translating commercial ambition into technology, data and AI capability roadmaps and ensuring architecture enables strategic business priorities.
• Lead and mature the global architecture community, developing Enterprise Architects and Solution Architects across markets, embedding global ways of working, and raising architectural capability and discipline.
• Oversee architectural governance, ensuring that vendor proposals, technology selections, and solution designs meet global standards and contribute to simplification, rationalisation and reduction of technical debt.
• Drive simplification and rationalisation across the global estate, reducing cost, complexity and duplication, and ensuring platforms and data are designed for scale, resilience and future growth.
• Ensure architecture supports global regulatory, risk and compliance requirements, including identity, onboarding, AML/KYC, workflow, data governance and AI safety.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the CIO, providing insight, challenge and direction on enterprise architecture, transformation programmes and long‑term technology choices.

Experience Required

• Proven leadership of large‑scale, multi‑market transformation programmes
• 10–15+ years in leadership roles with enterprise‑wide accountability.
• Demonstrable experience shaping and governing architecture across multiple regions, business lines or federated organisations.
• A track record of moving organisations from fragmented legacy estates to coherent, modern platforms.
• Experience influencing senior executives and Boards, with the ability to challenge and guide strategic decisions.
• Experience leading architectural change in regulated environments
• Strong leadership presence, able to build credibility quickly with Partners and senior stakeholders.

Success Profile

A credible enterprise architecture leader who can operate at executive level, communicate complex technology choices clearly and combine strategic thinking with commercial pragmatism. Strong experience across digital, data, AI and enterprise platforms is essential, together with the ability to influence globally, establish architectural maturity and turn strategy into practical delivery. You will have experience of emergent agile architecture. You will have demonstrable experience of leading large complex transformation and modernization programmes in global organisations improving value, the credibility and culture of technology whilst rationalisationing technology and providing leadership globally to support strategy.

Competitive salary

Please note: this is a Direct Search led by Knight Frank. Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted nor will fees be paid for unsolicited CVs, even if provided by PSL agencies.