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- Tasks: Lead the design and governance of transformative digital services impacting millions.
- Company: Join DVSA, a mission-driven agency shaping the future of digital services in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working culture with opportunities for continuous improvement and team development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national digital services while influencing key stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Proven enterprise architecture leadership and experience in large-scale technology transformation.
The predicted salary is between 98061 - 98061 £ 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 Standards Agency (DVSA) is working with Inspire People to recruit a Chief Architect with strong enterprise architecture leadership, target architecture design, governance and large-scale digital transformation expertise. Hybrid working with minimum 60% office-based in your designated office in either Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Oldham, Newcastle, Swansea or Yeading. Salary up to £98,061 (base pay of £69,501 plus an additional Digital and Data Profession allowance up to £28,560) plus £20,134 employer pension contribution per annum plus excellent Civil Service benefits.
As a Chief Architect you will:
- Provide technical leadership in the development, operation and continuous improvement of complex, transformational digital services serving millions of users
- Direct the development of long-term enterprise-wide business design, information architecture and processes
- Own and promote enterprise architecture strategy, governance, principles, standards and tools
- Lead target architecture design aligned to organisational strategy
- Chair and support enterprise architecture governance ensuring compliance and quality
- Oversee architectural design across complex systems, ensuring documentation is timely and accurate
- Provide specialist architectural advice influencing senior stakeholders across the organisation
- Evaluate supplier proposals and make recommendations to senior leadership
- Oversee budgets and delivery from external partners ensuring scalable, secure and reusable solutions
- Lead the evolution of enterprise architecture across the organisation and wider government landscape
- Build capability, develop teams and promote best practice across the architecture community
- Drive continuous improvement across systems, technology and service delivery
Essential skills for the Chief Architect include:
- Strong track record of hands‑on enterprise architecture leadership in complex, multi‑service environments
- Significant experience defining and delivering strategic target architecture and business design
- Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing and negotiation skills at senior level
- Experience working in matrix organisations aligning technology with business strategy
- Proven experience delivering large-scale technology transformation
- Deep knowledge of modern architectures including cloud, infrastructure, data and software delivery lifecycle
- Experience establishing and governing architecture frameworks, standards and controls
- Strong understanding of commercial, procurement and supplier delivery environments
- Experience developing high-performing technical teams and capability
- Awareness of ITIL, ISO9001 and ISO27001 frameworks
Desirable skills for the Chief Architect include:
- Degree in a Digital, Technology or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
- Azure or AWS cloud architecture certification
- Architecture modelling experience (Archimate, UML, BPMN)
In return, you can expect a flexible working culture, including:
- Salary up to £98,061 (base pay of £69,501 plus an additional Digital and Data Profession allowance up to £28,560)
- Hybrid working with flexible arrangements
- Access to learning, development and career progression opportunities
- The opportunity to shape national digital services at scale
This is a critical leadership role where you will shape enterprise-wide architecture, guide strategic technology decisions and reduce technical debt across services used by millions, while influencing senior stakeholders and driving digital transformation across the organisation.
Apply now through Inspire People to lead enterprise architecture at DVSA and play a defining role in its digital future.
Chief Architect in Newcastle upon Tyne employer: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
Contact Detail:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Architect in Newcastle upon Tyne
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in a role you’re aiming for. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise. Share specific examples of how you've led architectural transformations or influenced stakeholders. Make it clear why you’re the perfect fit for the Chief Architect role!
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every company is different, so make sure you tailor your conversations to align with DVSA's mission and values. Research their current projects and challenges, and come prepared with ideas on how you can contribute to their digital transformation journey.
✨Apply Through Our Website
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 serious about joining the team and shaping the future of digital services at DVSA.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Architect in Newcastle upon Tyne
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in enterprise architecture and digital transformation. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Chief Architect, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Chief Architect, you'll be leading teams and influencing stakeholders. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience and how you've successfully managed complex projects in the past. We love seeing examples of how you've driven change!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly understand your qualifications and fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)
✨Know Your Architecture Inside Out
As a Chief Architect, you’ll need to demonstrate your deep understanding of enterprise architecture. Brush up on modern architectures, especially cloud solutions like Azure or AWS, and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles. Prepare examples that showcase your hands-on experience in complex environments.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Strong stakeholder engagement is key for this role. Think about how you’ve influenced senior leaders in previous positions. Be prepared to share specific instances where your negotiation skills made a difference. This will show that you can effectively communicate and align technology with business strategy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
You’ll be leading teams and driving digital transformation, so it’s important to convey your leadership style. Reflect on how you’ve built high-performing technical teams and promoted best practices. Share stories that highlight your ability to inspire and develop others in the architecture community.
✨Prepare for Governance Discussions
Since governance is a big part of the Chief Architect role, be ready to discuss your experience with establishing architecture frameworks and standards. Think about how you’ve ensured compliance and quality in past projects. This will demonstrate your capability to oversee architectural design across complex systems.