Head of Technical Architecture
Leeds (Hybrid)
Permanent salary depending on experience
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Technical Architecture to lead and evolve our Technical Architecture practice within a large, complex organisation undergoing significant technology transformation.
This is a senior leadership role responsible for defining technical architecture direction across infrastructure, cloud, platforms, networks and security, while building and leading a high-performing team of architects.
For candidates who demonstrate strong technical capability but are still developing at practice leadership level, a Deputy Head of Technical Architecture appointment may be considered, supported by a structured development plan.
The Role
As Head of Technical Architecture, you will:
- Lead and develop the Technical Architecture practice, including recruitment, mentoring and capability building
- Define and maintain technical architecture principles, standards, patterns and governance
- Provide architectural leadership across major programmes and transformation initiatives
- Act as a senior technical advisor to IT and organisational leadership
- Ensure technology partners and delivery teams align to agreed architectural standards
- Drive modernisation initiatives, including Infrastructure as Code, automation and DevOps practices
- Contribute to enterprise-wide architecture planning, particularly across cloud, infrastructure and platform domains
This role combines strategic direction, governance ownership and hands-on architectural expertise.
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience
- Extensive experience operating as a Technical Architect across the full delivery lifecycle
- Broad enterprise infrastructure and cloud architecture expertise (compute, storage, networking, platform software, resilience and security)
- Experience designing and governing cloud and hybrid platforms (IaaS and PaaS)
- Strong understanding of Infrastructure as Code and DevOps principles
- Experience with technical product selection and RFI/RFP processes
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate technical risk into business language
- Demonstrable experience leading an architecture practice or managing multiple architects
- Experience defining architecture roles, capability frameworks and career pathways
Desirable Experience
- Experience with major cloud platforms (e.g. Azure, AWS, GCP)
- Exposure to automation tooling (e.g. Terraform, configuration management tools)
- Knowledge of virtualisation, networking, database and enterprise productivity platforms
- Experience in large, federated or complex organisational environments
Personal Attributes
- Strong leadership and people development capability
- Credible and respected technical authority
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- Delivery-focused and outcome-oriented
- Collaborative, pragmatic and forward-thinking
Why Join?
This is an opportunity to:
- Shape and mature a federated Technical Architecture function
- Influence strategic technology direction at organisational scale
- Lead modernisation initiatives across cloud and infrastructure domains
- Work in a dynamic, transformation-focused environment
If you are an experienced Head of Technical Architecture or a Senior Technical Architect looking to progress your career into Leadership; then I would like to hear from you.
Please apply directly online, and if your application is successful, one of the team will be in touch.
