Principal Architects

University of Manchester; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension

29 days annual leave plus holidays

Ride to Work

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

The University of Manchester is seeking two Principal Architects to shape and deliver the architectural direction of a major portfolio of change and transformation activities. You will influence enterprise-wide initiatives, contribute to long‑term technology strategy and support delivery through architecture planning and governance.

As a senior member of the Enterprise and Business Architecture team, you will engage with executives, business leaders and delivery partners to translate objectives

Qualifications

• Significant experience in enterprise architecture and architecture leadership within a large organisation.
• Strong understanding of business architecture, applications, data, integration, infrastructure and security.
• Experience with senior stakeholders and evidence-based recommendations for strategic outcomes.
• Track record of developing roadmaps, target states and transformation plans.
• Experience in governance, assurance and design decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience supporting, developing and enabling high-performing teams.

Responsibilities

• Shaping architecture strategy, planning and roadmap development across a major university value stream.
• Developing architecture blueprints, future-state visions and transition plans.
• Building partnerships with stakeholders and advising on architectural matters.
• Providing guidance to programmes and projects for alignment with enterprise architecture principles.
• Identifying opportunities for simplification, reuse and continuous improvement.
• Supporting architecture governance and assurance activities.
• Sharing insights on emerging technologies to support teaching, research and services.
• Coaching and developing Business Service Architects and Business Analysts.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Architecture leadership

Technology strategy

Stakeholder management

Roadmap development

Governance & assurance

Architecture governance

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

ArchiMate

Job description

Job reference: PSX-032327
Employment type: Fixed Term
Hours Per Week: 35
Contract Duration: 24 Months

Shape the future architecture of one of the UK's leading universities.

The University of Manchester is seeking two Principal Architects to help shape and deliver the architectural direction of a major portfolio of change and transformation activity. This is an opportunity to influence enterprise-wide initiatives, contribute to long-term technology strategy and support the delivery of the University's ambitions through effective architecture planning, governance and collaboration.

As a senior member of the Enterprise and Business Architecture team, you will work alongside executive sponsors, business leaders, technology teams and delivery partners to ensure strategic objectives are translated into clear architecture roadmaps and achievable change plans. You will contribute to investment discussions, help shape future demand and support informed decision‑making across the University.

What you'll be doing

• Shaping architecture strategy, planning and roadmap development across a major University value stream.
• Developing and maintaining architecture blueprints, future‑state visions and transition plans that support delivery of the University's strategic goals.
• Building effective partnerships with stakeholders and acting as a trusted adviser on architectural, technological and strategic matters.
• Working with colleagues across programmes and projects to provide architectural guidance and ensure alignment with enterprise architecture principles, standards and roadmaps.
• Identifying opportunities for simplification, reuse and continuous improvement while helping teams navigate risks, dependencies and complexity.
• Supporting architecture governance and assurance activities, helping stakeholders understand and navigate key decision‑making processes.
• Sharing insight on emerging technologies and future opportunities that could enhance teaching, research and professional services.
• Coaching, developing and supporting Business Service Architects and Business Analysts aligned to the portfolio.

About you

We're looking for someone who enjoys bringing people together to solve complex challenges and can balance long‑term thinking with practical delivery. You'll be comfortable building relationships across a large organisation and helping colleagues make informed choices in a collaborative environment.

You will bring:

• Significant experience in enterprise architecture, architecture leadership, technology strategy or a related discipline within a large and complex organisation.
• A strong understanding of business architecture, applications, data, integration, infrastructure and security considerations.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and providing clear, evidence‑based recommendations to support strategic outcomes.
• A track record of developing architecture roadmaps, target states and transformation plans.
• Experience of architecture governance, assurance and design decision‑making.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Experience supporting, developing and enabling high‑performing teams.

Professional certifications such as TOGAF, BCS Architecture, cloud architecture certifications or experience with architecture modelling frameworks such as ArchiMate would be advantageous.

Why join Manchester?

The University of Manchester is one of the world's leading universities, recognised for its pioneering research, outstanding teaching and global impact. You'll have the opportunity to work on complex, organisation‑wide challenges, contributing to the technology landscape that supports our students, staff and researchers for years to come.

We recognise that strong candidates may not meet every requirement listed. If you're excited about the opportunity and believe your skills and experience are relevant, we'd encourage you to apply. We welcome applications from people with a variety of career backgrounds and value collaboration, curiosity, continuous learning and different perspectives alongside technical expertise.

Our benefits

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closure
• Ride to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes
• Access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities

This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK.

Applications close at midnight on the 30 September 2026