Senior Technical Architect – Band 8a

MPA Recruitment; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Weekly pay

Holiday pay

Onboarding support

Ongoing placements

Job summary

MPA Recruitment is seeking a Senior Technical Architect to lead design, integration and delivery of complex IT solutions for Health and Social Care programmes in Northern Ireland. You will provide strategic technical leadership across networks, data centres, cybersecurity, cloud, identity management and interoperability.

Lead workstreams, manage technical change and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful delivery and governance.

Qualifications

• Essential criteria include a degree or professional qualification with 3+ years in a technical architectural role.
• Option 1 requires 3+ years in a technical architectural role; Option 2 requires 5+ years in the same.
• Experience leading design and delivery of programmes with substantial budgets.
• Proven ability to manage multiple teams and complex stakeholder collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic technical design, planning, integration and implementation of major programmes.
• Develop technical strategies, evaluate options and recommend solutions.
• Analyse complex data flows and processes to craft effective recommendations.
• Design solutions aligned with HSCNI infrastructure and enable data migration.
• Lead IT services delivery, including system integration and documentation.
• Provide expert technical guidance to programme teams and third parties.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure services meet SLAs and KPIs.

Skills

Technical Architecture

Programme Delivery

Leadership

Stakeholder Engagement

Cloud Architecture

Cybersecurity

Data Migration

IT Infrastructure

Communication

Problem Solving

Education

University degree

PRINCE2

ITIL

TOGAF

Tools

NA

Job description

Location: James House, Belfast
Hours: Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)

About the Role:

MPA Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced Senior Technical Architect on behalf of the Business Services Organisation (BSO).

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced technical professional to take a lead role in the design, integration and delivery of complex IT solutions supporting major programmes across Health and Social Care (HSC).

Working within the Digital Operations Directorate, you will provide specialist technical leadership and strategic advice across a broad range of technology areas, including networks, regional data centres, cybersecurity, cloud architecture, virtualised environments, identity management, infrastructure, data migration and healthcare interoperability.

You will lead technical workstreams, develop innovative solutions, manage complex technical change and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful programme delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

Technical Architecture & Programme Delivery

• Lead the strategic technical design, planning, integration and implementation of major programmes impacting clinical and non-clinical services.
• Develop technical strategies, evaluate options and recommend solutions to address complex business and programme requirements.
• Analyse complex technical issues, data flows, workflows and processes to develop effective recommendations and solutions.
• Design and deliver technical solutions aligned with existing HSCNI infrastructure architecture.
• Lead the delivery and ongoing development of IT services, including data migration and system integration.
• Produce detailed technical documentation, reports, business cases and project plans.
• Provide specialist technical advice and guidance to programme teams and third‑party stakeholders.

Service Management & Governance

• Monitor supplier performance and ensure services meet agreed service levels, quality standards and performance indicators.
• Manage technical changes, upgrades and release activities, working closely with stakeholders and the ITS Change Advisory Board.
• Maintain service transition documentation and implement effective problem‑management processes.
• Identify, manage and mitigate operational risks and service interdependencies.
• Lead business continuity and disaster recovery planning, ensuring processes are documented, tested and maintained.
• Support quality assurance, internal audits and continuous improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with senior stakeholders, technical teams, suppliers and healthcare professionals.
• Influence and gain agreement on complex technical solutions across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Communicate technical information clearly to audiences with varying levels of technical knowledge.
• Represent Digital Operations at relevant governance meetings, service reviews and management groups.
• Lead the development of training materials and deliver specialist technical training where required.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead, motivate and support teams to deliver agreed objectives and programme outcomes.
• Manage workloads, allocate responsibilities and ensure resources are used effectively.
• Support staff performance, development and training.
• Promote a positive, collaborative and supportive working environment.

What We’re Looking for?

Essential Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet one of the following experience requirements:

Option 1:

• A university degree or professional qualification, together with at least three years' experience working in a technical architectural role within a major complex organisation.

OR

Option 2:

• At least five years' experience working in a technical architectural role within a major complex organisation.

In addition, applicants must have:

• Experience leading the technical design and delivery of programmes or projects with a budget exceeding £0.5 million.
• At least three years' experience managing multiple teams to successfully deliver outcomes, including collaboration with internal and external teams.
• A full, current UK driving licence and access to a car on appointment, or suitable alternative transport where applicable.

Essential Skills & Knowledge

Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate:

• Experience personally managing and leading technical change through the design, development and implementation of IT systems.
• A working knowledge of IT programme and project architecture and successful implementation.
• Advanced problem‑solving skills and the ability to provide technical expertise to a large customer base.
• Knowledge of service-level management, customer service management and performance against KPIs.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholder groups to design and implement successful solutions.
• Excellent communication, engagement, facilitation and presentation skills.
• Broad technical knowledge and awareness of emerging technologies and service developments.
• Experience undertaking technical option appraisals, including assessment of financial implications.
• An understanding of licensing implications when developing technical solutions.

Desirable Criteria

The following would be advantageous:

• Knowledge of the structure and key functions of Health and Social Care.
• Understanding of the role of technology in the delivery of health and social care services.
• Experience managing the integration of large-scale IT healthcare systems.
• Knowledge or experience of healthcare interoperability standards.
• Relevant professional qualifications such as PRINCE2, ITIL, TOGAF or equivalent.

Additional Information:

• An Enhanced Access NI Check may be required for this role.

What we can offer you:

At MPA Recruitment, we’re committed to supporting you throughout your placement. We can offer:

• Dedicated support from your MPA Recruitment Consultant.
• Weekly pay.
• Holiday pay.
• Support throughout the registration, compliance and onboarding process.
• Ongoing role availability — if one placement ends, we aim to secure another.

Why Apply?

• Take on a senior technical leadership role within a major digital programme supporting Health and Social Care across Northern Ireland.
• Influence strategic technology decisions and shape the design and delivery of complex IT solutions.
• Lead high-value programmes and workstreams with budgets exceeding £500,000.
• Work across a diverse technology landscape, including cloud architecture, cybersecurity, infrastructure, data migration and healthcare interoperability.
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders, technical specialists and external suppliers across a large organisation.
• Drive innovation, service improvement and the successful delivery of major digital transformation projects.
• Apply your expertise in a role with significant organisational impact and the opportunity to make a difference to healthcare services.

MPA Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer.