Strategic IT Architecture Lead in Birmingham

Strategic IT Architecture Lead in Birmingham

Birmingham Full-Time 54878 - 64562 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the development of innovative IT architecture for HS2's high-speed rail network.
  • Company: Join HS2 Ltd, a pioneering company transforming UK transport with cutting-edge technology.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible benefits, and opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to safety, respect, and integrity.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of transport while working in an inclusive environment.
  • Qualifications: Experience in enterprise architecture and a passion for emerging technologies are essential.

The predicted salary is between 54878 - 64562 £ per year.

Base salary: £54,878pa to £64,562pa depending on skills and experience. In addition, we offer a flexible benefits fund of 20% which is paid on top of the base salary and is fully pensionable, as well as a range of competitive benefits.

HS2 Ltd endeavours to ensure everyone working for us and with us feels included, thrives and achieves their full potential. In practice, this means we are positive and inclusive about making adjustments, providing flexible working, encouraging our staff networks to flourish and providing personal and professional development opportunities.

Job Purpose

The Lead Technical Architect is responsible for developing HS2’s IT technical architecture which embeds the strategic application of information and technology to address business needs. The role owns the technical domain architecture and ensures that guardrails and standards that guide the delivery of services are aligned to enterprise-wide IT strategy and policies.

About The Role

  • Accountable for the IT Technical Architecture capability within HS2 IT, planning and leading activity to ensure technology is implemented in such a way where it ensures innovative, high-quality, and cost-efficient outcomes that meet business objectives.
  • Develop and implement enterprise-wide technical architecture policies, patterns, processes and guardrails to embed the strategic application of Information & Technology across HS2.
  • Establish and manage the Technical Architecture practice and capabilities across HS2, leading knowledge sharing and skills development efforts and driving consistency across HS2.
  • Lead definition and continued maturity of Technical Architecture frameworks which aligns to wider enterprise-wide architecture.
  • Plan and drive scoping, requirements definition, and prioritisation for technical architecture activities within Infrastructure & Operations.
  • Lead the technical design of IT services working with SLT and other key stakeholders across HS2.
  • Support the translation of business drivers, goals, and constraints into technical solutions.
  • Contributes subject matter expertise and ideas to the technology innovation agenda.
  • Act as the senior escalation point for complex technical design decisions or architectural risks.
  • Actively promotes and embeds Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in all work, and support and comply with all organisational initiatives, policies and procedures on EDI.

Skills About You

  • Enterprise and business architecture. Able to align technical architecture to the enterprise-wide architecture and IT strategy.
  • Emerging technology monitoring. Able to identify and assess new and emerging technologies and their relevance and impacts to HS2.
  • Solution Architecture. Developing and communicating a multi-dimensional solution architecture to deliver agreed business outcomes.
  • Consultancy. Provides expert advice in areas of technology and architecture, influencing stakeholders and assuring quality.
  • Innovation. Leads the identification and implementation of new and emerging technologies to deliver business value.

Knowledge

  • Experience leading the design and assurance of complex technical architectures across multiple domains, platforms, or delivery workstreams.
  • Knowledge of architecture frameworks and how to apply them pragmatically to guide technical strategy and solution design.
  • Knowledge of current and emerging technologies across infrastructure, cloud platforms, application development, integration, and data, and how they can enable business outcomes.
  • Knowledge of architectural governance processes, including design assurance, technical risk management, and decision-making frameworks.
  • Knowledge of how to balance architectural integrity, delivery velocity, and technical debt in large-scale digital and IT programmes.

Type Of Experience

  • Experience working with senior stakeholders to translate strategic objectives into practical architectural solutions and roadmaps.
  • Experience providing architectural leadership within large-scale digital, infrastructure, or enterprise platform programmes.
  • Experience balancing long-term architectural vision with short-term delivery priorities in a fast-paced or regulated environment.

We ask for a variety of detail in your online application; however, we perform the first assessment of suitability for a role based solely on the information in your CV. In a further development of our efforts to create a more diverse workforce, your CV will be anonymised and personal information will be removed during the first stage of the application review. This removes bias from the process and makes it even more important that you attach an updated word version of your CV for each new application ensuring you include evidence directly related to the criteria in the job advert.

Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

About Us

High Speed 2 (HS2 Ltd) will be the UK’s new high-speed rail network. As well as improving capacity, the new scheme will shorten journey times between a number of Britain’s major population centres, boost the economy and create thousands of jobs.

HS2 Ltd will create a skills legacy and develop a diverse range of talent. We aim to be a leader in EDI practice by creating a safe & inclusive working environment for all our staff - living our values of Safety, Respect, Integrity and Leadership.

HS2 Ltd is also a safety-critical organisation. Employees are required to ensure reasonable care of their own and others’ health and safety by taking personal responsibility for working to our ‘Safe at Heart’ programme principles and following safe working procedures at all times.

Strategic IT Architecture Lead in Birmingham employer: HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd

HS2 Ltd is an exceptional employer that prioritises inclusivity and employee development, offering a competitive salary alongside a generous flexible benefits fund. With a strong commitment to personal and professional growth, employees are encouraged to thrive in a supportive work culture that values safety, respect, and integrity. Located at the forefront of the UK's high-speed rail network development, HS2 Ltd provides unique opportunities to contribute to transformative projects while fostering a diverse and innovative workforce.

HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd

Contact Details:

HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Strategic IT Architecture Lead in Birmingham

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your answers to show how you fit into their values and goals, especially around innovation and EDI.

Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform when it counts.

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, you’ll find all the latest roles there!

We think you need these skills to ace Strategic IT Architecture Lead in Birmingham

Enterprise Architecture
Business Architecture
Technical Architecture
Emerging Technology Monitoring
Solution Architecture
Consultancy
Innovation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Strategic IT Architecture Lead role. Highlight your experience with enterprise and business architecture, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant projects that align with HS2’s objectives.

Showcase Your Skills:Use the job description as a guide to highlight your skills in emerging technology monitoring and solution architecture. Be specific about how you've influenced stakeholders and delivered innovative solutions in past roles.

Be Clear and Concise:When filling out your application, keep your language clear and concise. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We want to see your expertise without having to sift through unnecessary fluff!

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you can check out all the benefits we offer while you’re there!

How to prepare for a job interview at HS2 (High Speed Two) Ltd

Know Your Architecture Frameworks

Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of architecture frameworks before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've applied them in past roles and how they can guide technical strategy and solution design at HS2.

Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills

Prepare examples of how you've worked with senior stakeholders to translate strategic objectives into practical architectural solutions. Highlight your ability to influence and assure quality in your previous projects.

Stay Updated on Emerging Technologies

Familiarise yourself with current and emerging technologies relevant to infrastructure, cloud platforms, and data. Be prepared to discuss how these technologies can enable business outcomes and drive innovation at HS2.

Emphasise Your Commitment to EDI

HS2 values Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion. Be ready to share how you've promoted EDI in your previous roles and how you plan to support these initiatives within the organisation.