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- Tasks: Lead architecture standards and governance for transformative tech projects.
- Company: Join a leading financial services firm driving innovation and compliance.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid work options, and excellent perks.
- Why this job: Shape the future of architecture while collaborating with top-tier professionals.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in enterprise architecture with strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence major tech transformations and regulatory compliance.
The predicted salary is between 130000 - 182000 £ per year.
London | Hybrid
Up to £155k + Bonus & Excellent Benefits (Flexible)
Lead the Architecture Practice & Domain Centre of Excellence that underpins all change portfolios—front-to-back platform migrations, hybrid-cloud adoption, data-mesh enablement and legacy retirement. Own the meta-model, reference architectures, and policy-as-code controls to industrialise delivery, cut run-costs and satisfy global regulatory obligations.
- Architecture Operating Model – refine and enforce the TOGAF-aligned meta-model, artefact taxonomy and governance cadence across Technology domains.
- Policy-as-Code Automation – embed Open Policy Agent (or equivalent) into CI/CD and cloud pipelines to shift compliance “left”; target ≥90 % automated control coverage.
- Domain Standards & Reusable Components – curate, publish and measure reuse of cloud landing zones, data-platform blueprints, integration patterns and security baselines.
- Architecture Review Authority – chair Enterprise & Solution Design Boards; arbitrate design disputes and report KPI adherence to ELT.
- Practice Leadership – line-manage 5-10 Domain Architects (Cloud, Data, Integration, Workplace, Security) plus a methods/tooling squad; run the global community-of-practice.
- Regulatory & Risk Alignment – assure architectures meet FCA / PRA, GDPR and regional regulations; provide board-level traceability on resilience and data-protection controls.
- Transformation Acceleration – partner with programme directors to retire legacy estates, adopt event-driven platforms, and enable AI/ML workloads through compliant cloud patterns.
Candidate Profile – Must Have
- 15+ yrs enterprise architecture in global, regulated FS or equivalent complexity.
- Demonstrable ownership of an EA Operating Model and governance framework at enterprise scale (>5,000 users, multi-region).
- Deep hands-on expertise in two or more domains: hybrid-cloud, data platforms, integration, workplace, security.
- Proven deployment of policy-driven automation (OPA, Sentinel, Kyverno or similar) integrated with Terraform/Ansible IaC.
- Track record leading distributed architect teams / CoEs and motivating senior practitioners.
- Executive-level stakeholder management; comfortable defending architecture ROI to CIO/CTO and board committees.
- Certifications: TOGAF (or equivalent) and cloud (Azure highly favoured; AWS/GCP advantageous).
Desirable Extras
- Core-banking or investment-platform modernisation experience (Aladdin, CRIMS, SimCorp, State Street Alpha).
- Familiarity with BIAN, BCF or other capability frameworks.
- Knowledge-graph / AI-assisted modelling exposure.
- MBA or comparable commercial qualification.
Head of Architecture Standards, Patterns & Governance employer: Intelix.AI
Contact Detail:
Intelix.AI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Architecture Standards, Patterns & Governance
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the architecture and financial services sectors. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends and challenges in enterprise architecture.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by engaging in discussions on platforms like LinkedIn or relevant forums. Share insights on governance frameworks and policy-driven automation to demonstrate your expertise and thought leadership in the field.
✨Tip Number 3
Familiarise yourself with the specific tools and technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Open Policy Agent and Terraform. Consider taking online courses or certifications to enhance your knowledge and make you a more attractive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for executive-level stakeholder management by practising how to articulate the ROI of architectural decisions. Role-play scenarios where you present to a board or senior management to build confidence in defending your strategies.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Architecture Standards, Patterns & Governance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in enterprise architecture, especially in regulated financial services. Emphasise your hands-on expertise in hybrid-cloud, data platforms, and integration, as well as any leadership roles you've held.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, address the specific requirements of the role. Discuss your experience with TOGAF and policy-driven automation, and how you have successfully led distributed architect teams. Make it personal and show your enthusiasm for the position.
Showcase Relevant Achievements: Include quantifiable achievements in your application that demonstrate your ability to refine governance frameworks and lead transformation initiatives. Use metrics to illustrate your impact, such as improvements in compliance or reductions in run costs.
Prepare for Technical Questions: Anticipate technical questions related to architecture standards, policy-as-code automation, and regulatory compliance. Be ready to discuss your experience with tools like Terraform or Ansible, and how you've implemented these in past projects.
How to prepare for a job interview at Intelix.AI
✨Understand the Architecture Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in enterprise architecture, especially in hybrid-cloud and data platforms. Be prepared to discuss how these trends can impact the company's architecture practice and governance.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a candidate for Head of Architecture Standards, it's crucial to demonstrate your experience in leading distributed teams. Prepare examples of how you've motivated and managed architects in previous roles, focusing on outcomes and team dynamics.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect in-depth questions about policy-as-code automation and your hands-on experience with tools like Open Policy Agent or Terraform. Be ready to explain how you've implemented these technologies in past projects and the benefits they brought.
✨Articulate Your Regulatory Knowledge
Given the regulatory nature of the role, be prepared to discuss how you've ensured compliance with frameworks like FCA, PRA, and GDPR in your previous work. Highlight specific instances where you provided board-level traceability on resilience and data protection controls.
