At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the architectural future of a leading UK university and influence major change initiatives.
- Company: The University of Manchester, renowned for pioneering research and global impact.
- Benefits: Generous pension, 29 days leave, learning opportunities, and electric vehicle schemes.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for continuous learning and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on technology strategy and support transformative projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in enterprise architecture and strong stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Shape the future architecture of one of the UK's leading universities.
The University of Manchester is seeking two Principal Architects to help shape and deliver the architectural direction of a major portfolio of change and transformation activity.
This is an opportunity to influence enterprise-wide initiatives, contribute to long-term technology strategy and support the delivery of the University's ambitions through effective architecture planning, governance and collaboration.
As a senior member of the Enterprise and Business Architecture team, you will work alongside executive sponsors, business leaders, technology teams and delivery partners to ensure strategic objectives are translated into clear architecture roadmaps and achievable change plans.
You will contribute to investment discussions, help shape future demand and support informed decision-making across the University.
- What you’ll be doing
- Shaping architecture strategy, planning and roadmap development across a major University value stream.
- Developing and maintaining architecture blueprints, future-state visions and transition plans that support delivery of the University's strategic goals.
- Building effective partnerships with stakeholders and acting as a trusted adviser on architectural, technological and strategic matters.
- Working with colleagues across programmes and projects to provide architectural guidance and ensure alignment with enterprise architecture principles, standards and roadmaps.
- Identifying opportunities for simplification, reuse and continuous improvement while helping teams navigate risks, dependencies and complexity.
- Supporting architecture governance and assurance activities, helping stakeholders understand and navigate key decision-making processes.
- Sharing insight on emerging technologies and future opportunities that could enhance teaching, research and professional services.
- Coaching, developing and supporting Business Service Architects and Business Analysts aligned to the portfolio.
About you
We're looking for someone who enjoys bringing people together to solve complex challenges and can balance long-term thinking with practical delivery.
You'll be comfortable building relationships across a large organisation and helping colleagues make informed choices in a collaborative environment.
- You will bring
- Significant experience in enterprise architecture, architecture leadership, technology strategy or a related discipline within a large and complex organisation.
- A strong understanding of business architecture, applications, data, integration, infrastructure and security considerations.
- Experience working with senior stakeholders and providing clear, evidence-based recommendations to support strategic outcomes.
- A track record of developing architecture roadmaps, target states and transformation plans.
- Experience of architecture governance, assurance and design decision-making.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Experience supporting, developing and enabling high-performing teams.
Professional certifications such as TOGAF, BCS Architecture, cloud architecture certifications or experience with architecture modelling frameworks such as Archi Mate would be advantageous.
Why join Manchester?
The University of Manchester is one of the world's leading universities, recognised for its pioneering research, outstanding teaching and global impact.
You'll have the opportunity to work on complex, organisation-wide challenges, contributing to the technology landscape that supports our students, staff and researchers for years to come.
We recognise that strong candidates may not meet every requirement listed.
If you're excited about the opportunity and believe your skills and experience are relevant, we'd encourage you to apply.
We welcome applications from people with a variety of career backgrounds and value collaboration, curiosity, continuous learning and different perspectives alongside technical expertise.
- Our benefits
- Generous employer contribution pension
- 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closure
- Ride to Work and Electric Vehicle schemes
- Access to a wide range of learning and development opportunities
- General enquiries about the role
- Lewis Burne
Talent. attraction@manchester. ac. uk
This role is not eligible for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Applicants must demonstrate the right to work in the UK.
Applications close at midnight on the closing date.
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Principal Architects in Manchester employer: Diversity Dashboard
As a Facilities Assistant with the City of Edinburgh Council, you will enjoy secure and flexible employment in a supportive environment that values your contributions. With opportunities for training and development, you can grow your career while making a positive impact on your community by maintaining essential buildings. The council promotes a diverse and inclusive workforce, ensuring that all employees feel respected and valued.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Architects in Manchester
✨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 Diversity Dashboard 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 Principal Architects in Manchester
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 Diversity Dashboard!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Diversity Dashboard. 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 Diversity Dashboard
✨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 Diversity Dashboard.
