Principal Architect

Principal Architect

Full-Time 60000 - 84000 Β£ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead IT strategy alignment and oversee architecture execution for business goals.
  • Company: Join Phoenix Group, a FTSE 100 leader in long-term savings and retirement solutions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, remote work options, 38 days leave, and generous bonuses.
  • Why this job: Be part of a team driving innovation and sustainability while shaping the future of technology.
  • Qualifications: Strong enterprise architecture knowledge and experience in strategic technology alignment required.
  • Other info: We celebrate diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 Β£ per year.

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

This range is provided by Phoenix Group. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience β€” talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

The Principal Architect plays a key role in aligning IT capabilities to business strategies and overseeing execution. The Principal Architect role owns the definition, planning and governance of the Target States, associated Roadmaps and transition states across a given scope.
The information below covers the role requirements, expected candidate experience, and accompanying qualifications.
We have an incredible opportunity to join us here at Phoenix Group for x3 Principal Architects to join our Business & Enterprise Architecture team.
Job Type: Permanent
Location: This role could be based in either our Birmingham, Telford, London or Edinburgh offices with time spent working in the office and at home.
Closing Date: 27/06/2025
Salary and benefits: Β£70,000- Β£95,000 plus an indicative bonus range of 30%-60%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.
Who are we?
We want to be the best place that any of our 6,600 colleagues have ever worked.
We\’re Phoenix Group, we\’re a long-term savings and retirement business. We offer a range of products across our market-leading brands, Standard Life, SunLife, Phoenix Life and ReAssure. Around 1 in 5 people in the UK has a pension with us. We\’re a FTSE 100 organisation that is tackling key issues such as transitioning our portfolio to net zero by 2050, and we\’re not done yet
The role
The Principal Architect plays a key role in aligning IT capabilities to business strategies and overseeing execution. The Principal Architect role owns the definition, planning and governance of the Target States, associated Roadmaps and transition states across a given scope. Scope may be a major or complex programme of work, a technology architecture domain or a Value Centre – providing solution oversight, ensuring solutions delivery is executed in line with published roadmaps and standards.
Role
Principal Architect role owns the definition, planning and governance of the Target States, associated Roadmaps and transition states across a given scope including:

  • Formulation of strategy and setting direction – Design, plan and articulate the planned evolution of the IT Architecture for the given scope
  • Building and maintaining relationships with business leaders, product managers and product owners
  • Facilitate innovation – Identify technology enabled innovation opportunities that enable business strategies
  • Orchestrating the delivery of business outcomes – Provide consultative advice, adapted to stakeholder context, and Influence and guide AOP investment decisions.
  • Guiding Execution – Working closely with, supporting and guiding the solution architects working across Change and Engineering Delivery
  • Proactive Application Portfolio Management – Managing the data that provides visibility into our technology estate, the positioning of technology.

What are we looking for?

  • A strong understanding of enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman) with the ability to leverage this knowledge and drive strategic alignment and ensure efficient enterprise architecture practices.
  • Demonstrable experience of working closely with strategic 3rd parties to ensure solutions are architected in alignment with group architectural blueprints and roadmap
  • Comprehensive experience of developing roadmaps and transition States which enable the Target State to be realised in a controlled but timely manner
  • Extensive experience in providing consultative advice, adapted to stakeholder context, and provide actionable recommendations to influence and guide technology investment decisions.
  • Proficiency in process mapping and optimization techniques.
  • Proven experience of driving execution of change to deliver the strategy outcomes, reduce risk, contain cost, improve agility and accelerate time to value

We want to hire the whole version of you.
We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we\’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we\’d love to hear from you.
If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best.
Find out more about

Seniority level

  • Seniority level

    Mid-Senior level

Employment type

  • Employment type

    Contract

Job function

  • Job function

    Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology

  • Industries

    Security and Investigations

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Principal Architect employer: Phoenix Group

At Phoenix Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including 38 days of annual leave, private medical cover, and a strong commitment to employee development, we empower our team members to thrive in their careers while making a meaningful impact in the long-term savings and retirement sector. Our flexible working arrangements across multiple locations, including Birmingham, Telford, London, and Edinburgh, ensure that you can achieve a healthy work-life balance while contributing to our mission of transitioning to net zero by 2050.
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Contact Detail:

Phoenix Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Principal Architect

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with enterprise architecture frameworks like TOGAF and Zachman. Understanding these frameworks will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to aligning IT capabilities with business strategies.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the industry, especially those who work at Phoenix Group or similar organisations. Engaging with them on platforms like LinkedIn can provide insights into the company culture and expectations for the Principal Architect role.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your experience in developing roadmaps and transition states. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully guided execution and influenced technology investment decisions in previous roles.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your consultative skills by preparing scenarios where you've adapted your advice to different stakeholder contexts. This will highlight your ability to build relationships and facilitate innovation, which is crucial for the Principal Architect position.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Architect

Enterprise Architecture Frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman)
Strategic Alignment
Roadmap Development
Transition State Management
Stakeholder Engagement
Consultative Advisory Skills
Process Mapping and Optimisation
Change Management
Technology Investment Decision Guidance
Relationship Building with Business Leaders
Innovation Facilitation
Execution of Change Initiatives
Risk Management
Cost Containment Strategies
Agility Improvement Techniques

Some tips for your application 🫑

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Principal Architect position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experience align with the job description.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your experience with enterprise architecture frameworks like TOGAF or Zachman. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully developed roadmaps and transition states in previous roles.

Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: Demonstrate your ability to formulate strategies and set directions in your application. Include instances where you've influenced technology investment decisions or provided consultative advice to stakeholders.

Personalise Your Application: Make your application stand out by personalising it for Phoenix Group. Mention their commitment to diversity and inclusion, and express how your unique background can contribute to their goals.

How to prepare for a job interview at Phoenix Group

✨Understand the Role Thoroughly

Before your interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of what the Principal Architect role entails. Familiarise yourself with enterprise architecture frameworks like TOGAF and Zachman, as well as the specific responsibilities mentioned in the job description.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect to be asked about how you would handle specific situations related to aligning IT capabilities with business strategies. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed complex programmes or provided consultative advice.

✨Showcase Your Relationship-Building Skills

The role requires building relationships with business leaders and product managers. Be ready to discuss how you've effectively collaborated with stakeholders in previous roles and how you can facilitate innovation through these relationships.

✨Demonstrate Your Strategic Thinking

Be prepared to articulate your approach to formulating strategies and setting directions for IT architecture. Discuss how you would develop roadmaps and transition states to achieve target outcomes while managing risks and costs.

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