At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of secure, resilient network services for millions across the UK.
- Company: Join DVLA, a mission-driven agency modernising digital services.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, generous pension contributions, and 25 days annual leave.
- Other info: Flexible working culture with opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Shape national-scale digital services and influence key architectural decisions.
- Qualifications: Strong enterprise networking experience and excellent communication skills required.
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 a Lead Network Architect you will:
- Lead the technical design of systems and services, justifying and clearly communicating design decisions
- 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
- Proven experience in either enterprise networking (LAN/WAN/WLAN)
- 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 unified communications and omni-channel contact centre solutions
- Experience working in government or other regulated environments
- Exposure to large-scale digital transformation programmes
- 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.
Locations
Lead Network Architect in Swansea, Wales employer: Inspire People
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to lead significant digital transformation initiatives while working in a flexible and supportive environment. With a strong commitment to employee growth, including access to learning and development frameworks, DVLA fosters a collaborative work culture that values innovation and resilience. Located in Swansea, employees benefit from a generous Civil Service pension, ample annual leave, and the chance to contribute to services that impact millions across the UK.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Network Architect in Swansea, Wales
✨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 apply through our website.
✨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
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Network Architect in Swansea, Wales
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 DVLA is 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 or broader infrastructure domains.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Lead Network Architect, you'll be mentoring others and leading projects. Make sure to include examples of your leadership experience in your application. We love seeing how you’ve influenced teams and shaped architectural decisions!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our mission-driven team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspire People
✨Know Your Networking Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your enterprise networking knowledge, especially LAN, WAN, and WLAN. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've designed or assured solutions in these areas, as well as how they integrate with telephony and broader infrastructure.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Network Architect, you'll be expected to mentor others and lead technical discussions. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or influenced architectural decisions in past roles. Highlight your experience in engaging with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Understand the DVLA's Mission
Familiarise yourself with the DVLA's goals and the importance of secure, resilient services. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can contribute to their mission of modernising technology and delivering national-scale digital services that impact millions.
✨Prepare for Technical Scenarios
Expect to face technical scenarios during the interview. Practice articulating your thought process when designing solutions or addressing risks and dependencies. This will demonstrate your ability to think critically and align with architectural governance.
