Principal Architect

LA International; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

LA International is seeking a Principal Architect for Manchester Hybrid on a 24-Month FTC. The role shapes enterprise-wide architecture strategy, roadmaps, and governance while influencing executive decisions across a complex organisation.

You will define future-state architecture, drive transformation initiatives, and mentor architecture capability, working with senior leaders and delivery teams to realise strategic outcomes.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Principal/Enterprise/Lead Architecture role in a large, complex environment.
• Track record of developing architecture strategies, target states, and transformation roadmaps.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and translating business objectives into technology strategy.
• Broad understanding of applications, data, integration, infrastructure, and security architecture.

Responsibilities

• Defining enterprise architecture strategy and future-state roadmaps.
• Influencing executive stakeholders and investment decisions.
• Shaping transformation initiatives across business and technology functions.
• Establishing architecture governance, standards, and decision-making frameworks.
• Identifying opportunities for simplification, innovation, and organisational improvement.
• Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and delivery teams.
• Mentoring and developing architecture capability across the organisation.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Stakeholder management

Strategy development

Leadership

Tools

ArchiMate

Job description

Principal Architect (Enterprise-Wide IT and Business Transformation)

Manchester Hybrid | 24-Month FTC

Are you a senior Enterprise or Principal Architect looking to drive strategy, influence executive decisions, and shape the future direction of a complex organisation?

We're seeking two Principal Architects to play a key role in a major transformation programme, defining the architectural vision, technology strategy, and long-term roadmap across a diverse enterprise landscape. This is a highly strategic position with a strong focus on influencing change, governance, investment planning, and future-state architecture, rather than hands-on operational delivery.

The Role:

• Defining enterprise architecture strategy and future-state roadmaps
• Influencing executive stakeholders and investment decisions
• Shaping transformation initiatives across business and technology functions
• Establishing architecture governance, standards, and decision‑making frameworks
• Identifying opportunities for simplification, innovation, and organisational improvement
• Acting as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and delivery teams
• Mentoring and developing architecture capability across the organisation

Required Experience:

• Proven experience in a Principal, Enterprise, or Lead Architecture role within a large, complex environment
• Strong track record of developing architecture strategies, target states, and transformation roadmaps
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and translating business objectives into technology strategy
• Broad understanding of applications, data, integration, infrastructure, and security architecture
• Experience working within architecture governance and assurance frameworks
• TOGAF, BCS Architecture, or equivalent architecture framework experience
• Experience using ArchiMate and architecture modelling tools to develop enterprise-wide views and roadmaps
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

This is a fantastic opportunity to influence enterprise-wide transformation at scale, working on strategic challenges that will shape the organisation's technology landscape for years to come.