SDA Senior Solutions Architect

Ministry Of Defence; Bristol; On-site; GBP 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence agency is seeking a Senior Enterprise Architect in Bristol to lead the development and implementation of critical IT architecture solutions for the Dreadnought project. The role entails managing a multi-million pound budget and collaborating with various stakeholders to enhance operational capabilities. Successful candidates will demonstrate extensive IT delivery experience and strong leadership skills. A competitive salary of £66,000 is on offer, alongside a substantial employer pension contribution.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Civil Service pension with employer contribution

Learning and development tailored to your role

Inclusive and diverse work culture

Qualifications

• Demonstrable IT Senior Architect/IT Delivery experience at significant scale.
• Experience of managing a multi-million pound budget and delivering complex IT projects.
• Strong written and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and secure stakeholder endorsement for detailed design solutions.
• Lead implementation to achieve Initial Operating Capability readiness.
• Own the Information Architecture and ensure its modern access across the submarine enterprise.
• Manage budget, contracts, and overall project delivery.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary team of MOD and Industry partners.

Skills

Stakeholder Management

Leadership

IT Solution Design

Budget Management

Education

Project Management Qualification

Agile Project Management Certification

Job description

Overview

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) has been formed to design, shape, procure and support nuclear submarines in the UK. This is work of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK's continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent. Dreadnought is the replacement to the Vanguard class of submarines that deliver the UKs strategic nuclear deterrent, supporting the UKs no 1 defence priority, having the capability at full operational readiness 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Dreadnought represents a significant step change in capability over the Vanguard class, moving into the Digital era. Harnessing the potential that the vast amounts of design, build and ILS data generated as part of the Dreadnought project is vital to enable the SDA to effectively support Dreadnought in-service. Digital Dreadnought for Support (DDFS) looks to harness and link all of this data together, creating a golden thread that is available to everyone who will operate or maintain Dreadnought in-service, enabling quicker and better decisions (data driven decisions) to be made.

Reporting to the Dreadnought Supply and Support Team (DSST) Senior Support Manager the Digital Dreadnought for Support Solutions Architect Role will lead on the development of the detailed design solution development, gaining broad stakeholder endorsement to key design decisions and then lead on all aspects of delivery of implementation of this solution, with the objective that the Initial Operating Capability (IOC) is ready for when Dreadnought leave the Submarine Build Yard to commence its sea-trials. The post holder will lead on all IKM / Digital Deliver aspects, including development and agreement of detailed design, development and/or procurement of any tools within the overall Information Architecture, and implementation of this solution across the submarine enterprise ensuring a secure and modern solution is provided to the end users allowing seamless access to all design and logistics information needed to support Dreadnought in-service. The post holder will own the multi million pound budget for this projects delivery, manage the portfolio of contracts and contractors scope, manage the overall project delivery against the Performance, Cost and Time Envelope, taking action to mitigate and manage risk and opportunities. They will also manage and lead a multi-disciplinary team made up of MOD and Industry partners and also manage the interface with the customer and regulatory bodies as well as ensure the Dreadnought solution interfaces with wider MOD mega projects such as DEEAMS, BMFS and Lighthouse.

To deliver the above we are currently recruiting for a Senior Enterprise Architect to join our forward thinking and progressive team based at Abbey Wood, Bristol, giving you a fantastic chance to take on a role as a key technology leader within the Dreadnought Supply and Support team (DSST), part of the wider Dreadnought Alliance. You will need to be adept at managing multiple stakeholder relationships, as designs will require integration with solutions delivered across wider Defence. You will be able to develop and maintain relationships and reputation with a specialist stakeholder community, influencing them to align to a common architecture. This role is one of significant influence and requires an individual with the appetite for intellectual challenge and who is prepared to deliver leading edge technical solutions at pace.

Responsibilities

• Lead on the development of the detailed design solution and secure broad stakeholder endorsement for key design decisions.
• Lead all aspects of delivery and implementation of the solution to achieve IOC readiness for sea-trials.
• Own the Information Architecture and implementation across the submarine enterprise, ensuring secure and modern access to design and logistics information.
• Manage the multi‑million pound budget, contracts and contractor scope, and overall project delivery against Performance, Cost and Time constraints.
• Lead a multi-disciplinary team of MOD and Industry partners; interface with customers and regulatory bodies; coordinate with wider MOD projects (DEEAMS, BMFS, Lighthouse).
• Develop and maintain relationships with specialist stakeholders, influencing alignment to a common architecture.
• Travel to Barrow-in-Furness, Rolls Royce Derby and HMNB Clyde as part of work with Industry and MOD stakeholders; hybrid and flexible working arrangements may be considered with regular workplace attendance required due to security constraints.

Qualifications and Experience

• Recent demonstrable IT Senior Architect/IT Delivery experience at significant scale within a professional work environment.
• Experience of Stakeholder Management within a large organisation; experience of managing a multi‑million pound budget and successful delivery, at pace, of complex IT projects; strong written and communication skills; proven leadership abilities.

Desirable

• Project Management Qualification is desirable.
• Agile Project Management (AgilePM) experience and qualifications.

Application Requirements

Personal Statement – This should be a maximum of 1000 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable requirements for the role.

Behaviours and Technical Competencies

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Development and Implementation (as SWDN Level 4) - Practitioner
• Strategy, Architecture and Solution Design - Expert
• Significant experience in leading the design and implementation of IT Solutions, Architecture and Design
• Experience of Budget Management within an organisation (ideally MOD / Defence)

Note: The following salary and benefits are indicative and subject to Civil Service terms: salary of 66,000, with the Ministry of Defence contributing 19,120 to the Civil Service Pension scheme. Other benefits include learning and development tailored to your role, flexible working options, inclusion and diversity, and a Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Benefits and Further Information

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Discover My Benefits: Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD: https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/

This post does not offer any assistance with Relocation Allowances. The Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Other Information

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made. This is to ensure that potential conflicts of interest can be mitigated.

Security: Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet security requirements. Nationality: Open to UK nationals only. The Civil Service Code and related diversity and inclusion policies apply.