Head of Technology Architecture

Auckland Council; Auckland; Hybrid; NZD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Auckland Council is seeking an experienced Head of Technology Architecture to lead our architecture capability and provide governance, standards, and design assurance underpinning technology delivery. You’ll partner with senior leaders, delivery teams, and technology specialists to ensure solutions are sustainable, secure, aligned, and built for long‑term success.

This role requires 15+ years in enterprise/solution architecture and a proven track record in guiding major programmes.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in enterprise architecture or related leadership roles within large organisations.
• Proven experience providing architecture guidance, governance, and assurance across major technology change programmes.
• Senior leadership experience managing architectural standards, risks, dependencies, and strategic technology direction.
• Strong technical depth across enterprise architecture, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, integration, platforms, and data environments.
• Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes through collaboration, governance, and trusted advice.
• Experience developing high‑performing teams and building capability across architecture functions.
• Ideally, experience within local government, public sector, infrastructure, transport, or similarly complex operating environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise architecture governance, standards, and design assurance.
• Develop architecture road maps, patterns, and technology standards.
• Guide major technology programmes and strategic initiatives.
• Manage architectural risk, dependencies, and technical debt.
• Build and develop a high‑performing architecture team.
• Influence outcomes through collaboration, governance, and thought leadership.

Skills

Enterprise Architecture

Cloud Technologies

Cybersecurity

Data Environments

Strategic Leadership

Stakeholder Influence

Job description

We're looking for an experienced Head of Technology Architecture to lead our architecture capability and provide the governance, standards, and design assurance that underpin successful technology delivery.

You’ll partner with senior leaders, delivery teams, and technology specialists to ensure solutions are sustainable, secure, aligned, and built for long‑term success.

What you’ll do

• Lead enterprise architecture governance, standards, and design assurance.
• Develop architecture road maps, patterns, and technology standards
• Guide major technology programmes and strategic initiatives
• Manage architectural risk, dependencies, and technical debt
• Build and develop a high‑performing architecture team.
• Influence outcomes through collaboration, governance, and thought leadership.

You’ll be a respected technology leader who combines deep architectural expertise with strong business acumen and people leadership capability. You know how to translate complex technology concepts into practical business outcomes and are comfortable influencing senior stakeholders across a large organisation.

• 15+ years’ experience in enterprise architecture, solution architecture, technology governance, or related leadership roles within large, complex organisations.
• Proven experience providing architecture guidance, governance, and assurance across significant technology change programmes.
• Senior leadership experience managing architectural standards, risks, dependencies, and strategic technology direction.
• Strong technical depth across enterprise architecture, cloud technologies, cybersecurity, integration, platforms, and data environments.
• A demonstrated ability to influence outcomes through collaboration, governance, and trusted advice.
• Experience developing high‑performing teams and building capability across architecture functions.
• Ideally, experience within local government, public sector, infrastructure, transport, or similarly complex operating environments.

Auckland Council is the largest local government council across Oceania, serving over 1.7 million people and contributing towards making Tāmaki Makaurau a world‑class city.

We offer a range of employee benefits and proudly support flexible working options where possible.

As part of our organisation, you’ll have access to a range of fantastic Auckland Council benefits, EAP services, an Oranga Day and discounted Leisure Centre membership and a range of other partnership discounts!

We are a diverse organisation – we value diversity in our thinking, and we can only achieve that with a diverse team!

Auckland Council is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and we are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application to assist you through the recruitment process.