At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative telephony and network solutions for millions across the UK.
- Company: Join DVLA, a mission-driven agency modernising digital services.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous leave, and a 29% pension contribution.
- Other info: Flexible culture with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national-scale digital services while shaping future technology.
- Qualifications: Strong architectural background with enterprise networking and communication systems experience.
The predicted salary is between 82430 - 82430 € per year.
Become part of a mission‑driven digital team helping to build secure, resilient services used by millions across the UK. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), in partnership with Inspire People, is seeking a Lead Network Architect with strong enterprise networking experience (LAN, WAN, WLAN), with additional skills in either telephony/UC and contact centre platforms, or broader infrastructure domains (e.g. servers, identity, Active Directory or cloud platforms).
You will act as the Lead Architect for a new 6,000‑seat, multi‑million‑pound telephony programme, while also contributing to other key infrastructure initiatives. Based in Swansea on a permanent appointment, this role offers a salary of up to £82,430 plus 29% employer pension contribution and excellent Civil Service benefits, with hybrid working (minimum 60% in Swansea).
DVLA delivers national‑scale digital services that support the safe and lawful use of vehicles across the UK, reaching millions of citizens and businesses every year. As DVLA continues to modernise its technology landscape, the organisation is investing in strong technical architecture capability to ensure services are secure, well‑governed, scalable and aligned to wider government strategy.
As a Lead Technical Architect, you will work across DVLA’s IT Services Directorate and business teams, collaborating closely with engineering squads to design, assure and deliver modern digital solutions. You will play a key role in shaping architectural patterns, influencing technical decisions and mentoring other architects.
As the Lead Network Architect you will:
- Lead the technical design of telephony, unified communications and contact centre systems
- Define and assure solution architectures, ensuring alignment with enterprise and government architecture strategy
- Work collaboratively with engineering teams to deliver new solutions and transition them into live service
- Establish and apply architectural governance, ensuring consistency, quality and security by design
- Assure service and system quality, identifying risks, dependencies and cross‑domain impacts
- Explore opportunities for cross‑government alignment and reuse
- Provide leadership and mentoring to other architects and technical colleagues
- Engage with senior stakeholders, communicating technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences
Essential skills for the Lead Network Architect include:
- A strong architectural background delivering enterprise‑scale solutions
- The ability to design and assure solutions across complex, multi‑domain environments, understanding how networking, telephony and wider infrastructure integrate
- Experience working beyond a single specialism, with exposure to broader infrastructure such as servers, Active Directory or cloud platforms
- Strong experience of architectural governance and assurance
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
Desirable skills for the Lead Network Architect include:
- Experience with enterprise platforms such as Cisco UCC, Microsoft Teams Voice, Webex or similar, or omni‑channel or cloud contact centre platforms (e.g. Content Guru Storm or equivalent)
- Experience supporting or leading large‑scale telephony or UC transformation programmes
- Experience working in government or other regulated environments
- Experience mentoring architects or senior engineers
- Familiarity with Agile delivery and modern CI/CD practices
In return, you can expect a flexible working culture, including:
- Hybrid working with a minimum 60% office‑based in Swansea
- Flexible working patterns to support work–life balance
- A Civil Service pension with employer contributions of circa 29%
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and a privilege day
- Access to learning, development and digital career frameworks
Why Join DVLA? This is a unique opportunity to lead the network architecture for a major, multi‑million‑pound telephony transformation programme while shaping the wider infrastructure landscape at DVLA. You will work at national scale, ensuring secure, resilient connectivity for services used by millions across the UK, and play a key role in modernising critical platforms that underpin DVLA’s digital services. If you want to help shape nationally significant digital services at DVLA, apply via the link and one of the Inspire People team will be in touch.
Lead Network Architect in Swansea employer: Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead significant digital transformation projects that impact millions across the UK. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible working arrangements, and a generous pension scheme, DVLA fosters a collaborative work culture where innovation thrives. Located in Swansea, this role not only provides a competitive salary but also the chance to shape the future of national-scale digital services in a supportive and mission-driven environment.
Contact Detail:
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Network Architect in Swansea
✨Tip Number 1
Network with industry professionals! Attend meetups, webinars, or conferences related to network architecture. This is a great way to make connections and learn about job openings that might not be advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or a personal website where you can display your projects, achievements, and any relevant certifications. This will help you stand out when you’re chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and soft skills. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and the organisation.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Network Architect in Swansea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Lead Network Architect role. Highlight your enterprise networking experience and any relevant projects you've worked on. 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 passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your experience with telephony and UC systems!
Showcase Your Communication Skills:As a Lead Network Architect, you'll need to communicate complex ideas clearly. In your application, demonstrate your ability to convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. We love clear communicators!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission-driven team at DVLA.
How to prepare for a job interview at Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your enterprise networking knowledge, especially around LAN, WAN, and WLAN. Be ready to discuss how these elements integrate with telephony and UC systems, as well as broader infrastructure like Active Directory and cloud platforms.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Network Architect, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor others. Prepare examples of how you've influenced technical decisions or guided teams in previous roles, especially in complex, multi-domain environments.
✨Communicate Clearly with Stakeholders
You’ll be engaging with both technical and non-technical audiences, so practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms. Think about how you can convey the importance of architectural governance and assurance in a way that resonates with all stakeholders.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think through potential risks and dependencies in a large-scale telephony programme and how you would address them, showcasing your strategic thinking and architectural expertise.
