Principal Applications Architect

West Midlands Police; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

West Midlands Police IT & Digital department is responsible for the force’s adoption and use of information and digital technology. The department consists of three core functions: Architecture Management, Delivery Management, and Service Management.

The role focuses on Synergy and delivering outstanding User Experiences in policing today. As the Principal Application Architect, you will lead design and modelling of strategic architectures for delivery, development and support of projects,

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and modelling of strategic and tactical architectures for delivery, development, and support of projects.
• Build the long-term strategic roadmap for application architecture and prioritise removal of technical debt.
• Engage with business stakeholders from idea to end-to-end solution designs, ensuring adherence to architectural, security, and quality standards.
• Collaborate with the User Experience team to identify improvements for existing solutions and processes.
• Develop and maintain policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure a consistent architectural framework across the organisation.

Job description

Previous applicants who have not previously been successful for this role in the last 6 months are not eligible to apply on this occasion.

Introduction to the department:

The IT & Digital department is responsible for the force’s adoption and use of information and digital technology.

The department consists of three core functions as follows:

• Architecture Management (responsible for identifying and selecting the right technologies for the force)
• Delivery Management (responsible for delivering and implementing the right technologies for the force)
• Service Management (responsible for managing and maintaining all live, operational technology for the force)

Outline of the role:

West Midlands Police have completed a large-scale digital transformation programme, and therefore technologies such as Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, Automation and Mobility are no longer visionary – they underpin policing today. The next stage in our technology ambition is focused around the concept of Synergy and delivering amazing User Experiences. This role will help focus and shape our path in the Synergy strategy – and thus drive real-world impact on policing technology, therefore allowing us to excel at our vision; to prevent crime, protect the public and help those in need.

As the Principal Application Architect, you sit within the Architecture Management function of the IT & Digital department. Your team will lead on the design and modelling of strategic and tactical architectures for delivery, development and support of projects. You will also work closely with the User Experience team and function (a new entity) within the department – which will identify Synergy Opportunities for improving User Experiences across our organisation.

Alongside creating standards and guidelines in architecture, you will also be responsible for the quality of designs created, that are submitted to technical governance boards for successful adoption. You will have a big influence on technology choices, and our technology architecture – which underpins all areas of policing. Leading a team of supporting senior architects, you will be a principled expert in application technology and will be comfortable providing a clear path on this technology moving forward. The role will manage the workload across the architecture team, ensuring technology solutions are designed against our end‑state blueprints and requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and modelling of strategic and tactical architectures for delivery, development, and support of projects.
• Build the long-term strategic roadmap for application architecture. Therefore, prioritising the removal of our Technical
• Engage with business stakeholders from the start of an idea, and lead a team to shape and deliver end‑to‑end solution designs that meet business objective, great customer outcomes. Ensuring they adhere to all architectural, security, and quality standard
• Work alongside the User Experience team, to identify ways we can improve on existing solutions/systems/processes for the benefit of the organisation and the public we serve.
• Develop and maintain policies, standards, and guidelines to ensure that a consistent framework is applied across the organisation.
  

Selection Process

The selection process for this role will consist of the following elements:

• Initial application
• Shortlisting
• Test/presentation
• In‑person interview

Important Information

Closing Date: Friday 4th December 2026 @23:55

Test/Interview Dates: will take place week commencing Monday 14th December 2026

Vetting: Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and Counter Terrorism scrutiny prior to commencing their role, this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical: Appointment to this role will be dependent upon you successfully passing medical checks, which may include a drug and hearing test.

Hours/Location:This is a full‑time position working between core hours of 08:00 to 16:00, Monday to Friday. The role is hybrid working with 60% of working days on‑site.

Contact: For further information [e-mail]