At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead architectural initiatives and shape innovative solutions in financial services.
- Company: Dynamic financial services firm with a focus on transformation and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team driving strategic change in a regulated environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a hands-on role with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in enterprise architecture and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Architect to join the CTO Insurance, Pensions & Investments (IP&I) Architecture team, supporting a portfolio of strategic transformation initiatives across Financial Services.
The Enterprise Architect will provide architectural leadership across business and technology domains, developing target-state architectures, shaping solution designs, supporting delivery teams, and ensuring alignment with enterprise standards and governance.
Working within agreed architectural direction, the role will support the development, documentation, and assurance of end-to-end architectures across multiple domains, including applications, integration, cloud, infrastructure, data, security, and emerging technologies. This is a hands-on architecture role requiring strong technical expertise, excellent stakeholder management skills, and experience operating within large-scale, regulated enterprise environments.
Key Responsibilities- Develop and maintain enterprise and domain architecture artefacts, including capability maps, target-state architectures, transition-state models, and technology roadmaps.
- Produce architecture decision records (ADRs), solution assessments, and design documentation.
- Shape and assure solution architectures across multiple programmes and workstreams.
- Define architecture patterns, standards, principles, and guardrails aligned to enterprise strategy.
- Support Architecture Review Boards, Design Authorities, and governance processes.
- Identify architectural dependencies, technical risks, and mitigation strategies across business and technology domains.
- Partner with engineering, platform, delivery, security, and data teams to ensure solutions remain aligned to enterprise architecture objectives.
- Support the adoption of modern architectural practices including Architecture as Code, composable architectures, platform engineering, and automation.
- Contribute to future-state technology strategies and emerging technology roadmaps.
- Provide guidance on cloud adoption, integration strategies, resilience, security, and operational readiness.
- Extensive experience operating as an Enterprise Architect within large-scale transformation programmes.
- Strong understanding of Enterprise Architecture frameworks such as TOGAF, ArchiMate, or equivalent.
- Proven experience working across multiple architecture disciplines:
- Enterprise Architecture
- Solution Architecture
- Data Architecture
- Integration Architecture
- Cloud Architecture
- Security Architecture
- Technical Expertise
- AWS and/or Microsoft Azure
- Hybrid Cloud Architecture
- API-led Architecture and API Management
- Event-Driven Architecture
- Microservices and Distributed Systems
- Container Platforms (Kubernetes/OpenShift)
- Infrastructure and Hosting Architecture
- DevOps and Platform Engineering
- Security and Identity Architecture
- Resilience, Availability and Disaster Recovery Design
- Architecture as Code and Infrastructure as Code concepts
- Financial Services Domain Knowledge
- Experience in one or more of: Insurance, Pensions, Investments & Wealth Management, Retail Banking, Payments, Cards, Lending, Capital Markets
- Emerging Technologies Knowledge or experience of: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Agentic AI, Machine Learning, Blockchain Technologies, Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
- Experience influencing senior technology and business leaders.
- Ability to work across multiple delivery teams and business domains.
- Comfortable engaging with third-party suppliers and external partners.
- Enterprise Architecture Artefacts
- Future-State and North Star Architectures
- Technology Roadmaps
- Architecture Decision Records (ADRs)
- Design Assurance Reviews
- Architecture Governance Submissions
- Risk and Dependency Assessments
- Transition-State Architecture Models
- Proven Enterprise Architecture experience within complex enterprise environments.
- Strong cloud and integration architecture background.
- Experience working within regulated Financial Services organisations.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder management skills.
- TOGAF Certification
- Cloud Certifications (AWS/Azure)
- Experience implementing Architecture as Code
- Experience supporting AI and emerging technology initiatives
Enterprise Architect in Manchester employer: Coltech
Join a forward-thinking organisation that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work culture where your expertise as an Enterprise Architect will directly influence strategic transformation initiatives in the Financial Services sector. With hybrid working options available in vibrant cities like Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh, or Bristol, you will benefit from a supportive environment that prioritises professional growth, encourages modern architectural practices, and fosters strong stakeholder engagement. This role not only provides competitive remuneration but also the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies and contribute to impactful projects within a regulated enterprise setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Enterprise Architect in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Enterprise Architect gig.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your architectural artefacts and projects. This will give potential employers a clear view of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and stakeholder management skills. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles and how you align with enterprise architecture standards.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find the right opportunities and connect with us directly. Your next big role could be just a click away!
We think you need these skills to ace Enterprise Architect in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Enterprise Architect role. Highlight your experience with architecture frameworks like TOGAF and any relevant projects you've worked on in financial services. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your architectural leadership and stakeholder management skills. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical skills! Whether it's cloud architecture, API management, or emerging technologies, make sure to include examples of how you've applied these in past roles. We’re keen to see your hands-on experience!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Coltech
✨Know Your Architecture Frameworks
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Enterprise Architecture frameworks like TOGAF and ArchiMate. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these frameworks in past roles, especially in large-scale transformation programmes.
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Prepare to dive deep into your technical skills, particularly around cloud architectures like AWS or Azure. Have examples ready that demonstrate your experience with API management, microservices, and container platforms, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Think about your past experiences in stakeholder management. Be prepared to share specific instances where you influenced senior leaders or collaborated with cross-functional teams. This will show your ability to navigate complex environments.
✨Discuss Emerging Technologies
Stay updated on trends in emerging technologies such as AI and blockchain. Be ready to discuss how these can impact enterprise architecture and how you've integrated them into your previous work, as this will highlight your forward-thinking approach.
