At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead architecture and portfolio management to drive strategic technology initiatives.
- Company: Costain, a leader in smart infrastructure solutions across the UK.
- Benefits: Hybrid work, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on collaboration and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national infrastructure and drive innovation.
- Qualifications: Degree in IT or related field; enterprise architecture certification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 110000 £ per year.
Location: London, United Kingdom; Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
Workplace: Hybrid
Contract Type: Permanent
Driving Required: Yes
Security Clearance Required: Yes
Working closely with business leaders, delivery teams and suppliers, the role establishes the technology roadmap, governs architectural standards, and oversees the change portfolio to maximise business value, reduce risk and accelerate strategic outcomes. This role is a senior leadership role, leading teams of architects, portfolio office including programme/project managers, and reports to the CIO.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering or related discipline.
- Enterprise Architecture certification (TOGAF or equivalent).
Desirable
- MSP, MoP, Prince2 or Agile certifications.
- MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification.
- ITIL certification.
- Cloud certifications (Microsoft Azure, AWS or Google Cloud).
Responsibilities
Enterprise Architecture
- Define and maintain the enterprise architecture strategy and target operating model.
- Develop and manage business, application, data and technology architectures.
- Ensure all projects and programmes align with architectural principles and standards.
- Lead technology roadmaps and capability planning.
- Drive application rationalisation and technical debt reduction initiatives.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and provide recommendations on adoption.
- Maintain architecture governance processes and design authorities.
Portfolio Management
- Own the technology and digital change portfolio.
- Establish portfolio management frameworks, controls and reporting.
- Prioritise investments based on strategic alignment, benefits, risks and resource capacity.
- Ensure effective portfolio planning and sequencing of initiatives.
- Monitor portfolio performance, dependencies and delivery risks.
- Oversee benefit realisation and value tracking.
- Provide executive reporting to the CIO, Executive Team and governance boards.
Governance & Assurance
- Chair or lead Boards and Change Governance forums.
- Ensure compliance with security, regulatory and business policies.
- Define and maintain architecture and portfolio management standards.
- Support internal and external audits.
- Drive continuous improvement of governance processes.
Stakeholder Management
- Partner with business leaders to understand strategic priorities and translate them into technology initiatives.
- Collaborate with transformation programmes and initiatives to enable via technology.
- Collaborate with product owners, programme managers and delivery teams.
- Build strong relationships with key suppliers and partners.
- Influence senior stakeholders on investment and technology decisions.
Leadership
- Lead and develop architecture and portfolio management teams.
- Establish a high-performance culture focused on delivery, innovation and collaboration.
- Coach architects and portfolio professionals.
- Promote best practice in architecture, governance and change management.
Executive Reporting and Decision Support
Essential Skills & Experience
Experience
- Significant experience in Enterprise Architecture, Technology Strategy or Portfolio Management leadership roles.
- Proven experience managing complex change portfolios.
- Experience operating at senior leadership level within a regulated or large-scale organisation.
- Demonstrable experience establishing governance frameworks and architectural standards.
- Track record of delivering strategic business transformation programmes.
Technical Knowledge
- Enterprise Architecture frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman or equivalent).
- Portfolio Management frameworks (MoP, PPM, SAFe or equivalent).
- Cloud platforms and modern digital architectures.
- Data management, integration and cyber security principles.
- Application lifecycle and technology roadmap management.
Leadership Skills
- Strategic thinking and business acumen.
- Strong influencing and stakeholder management.
- Executive communication and presentation skills.
- Commercial and financial management.
- Team leadership and people development.
About the company
Costain helps to improve people’s lives with integrated, leading edge, smart infrastructure solutions across the UK’s energy, water, transportation and defence markets. We help our clients improve their business performance by increasing capacity, improving customer service, safeguarding security, enhancing resilience, decarbonising and delivering increased efficiency. Our vision is to be the UK’s leading smart infrastructure solutions company. We will achieve this by focusing on blue chip clients whose major spending plans are underpinned by strategic national needs, regulatory commitments, legislation or essential performance requirements. We offer our clients leading edge solutions that are digitally optimised through the following five services which cover the whole lifecycle of their assets: future-shaping strategic consultancy; consultancy and advisory; digital technology solutions; asset optimisation and complex programme delivery.
Our culture and values underpin everything we do.
Costain appreciate the time and effort taken when applying for one of our positions but, due to the high volume of responses, we are unable to provide individual feedback on candidates at application phase. We do share individual feedback following an interview.
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that disclose they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people.
Head of Architecture and Portfolio employer: Costain
Costain is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee growth and development within the vibrant environment of London Heathrow. As a leader in smart infrastructure solutions, we provide our team with unique opportunities to engage in transformative projects that contribute to a sustainable future, while fostering strong relationships across diverse stakeholders. Our commitment to safety, inclusivity, and professional advancement makes us an attractive choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Architecture and Portfolio
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Costain who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Architecture and Portfolio
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Costain!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Costain. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Costain
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Costain.
