Head of Architecture Standards, Patterns & Governance
Head of Architecture Standards, Patterns & Governance

Head of Architecture Standards, Patterns & Governance

London Full-Time 130000 - 182000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead architecture standards and governance for innovative tech transformations.
  • Company: Join a leading financial services firm driving digital change.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonuses, flexible working, and excellent perks.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of architecture while collaborating with top-tier professionals.
  • Qualifications: 15+ years in enterprise architecture with strong leadership and technical skills required.
  • Other info: Hybrid work model available; ideal for those passionate about tech innovation.

The predicted salary is between 130000 - 182000 £ per year.

London | Hybrid

Up to £155k + Bonus & Excellent Benefits (Flexible)

Lead the Architecture Practice & Domain Centre of Excellence that underpins all change portfolios—front-to-back platform migrations, hybrid-cloud adoption, data-mesh enablement and legacy retirement. Own the meta-model, reference architectures, and policy-as-code controls to industrialise delivery, cut run-costs and satisfy global regulatory obligations.

Core Accountabilities

  • Architecture Operating Model – refine and enforce the TOGAF-aligned meta-model, artefact taxonomy and governance cadence across Technology domains.
  • Policy-as-Code Automation – embed Open Policy Agent (or equivalent) into CI/CD and cloud pipelines to shift compliance “left”; target ≥90 % automated control coverage.
  • Domain Standards & Reusable Components – curate, publish and measure reuse of cloud landing zones, data-platform blueprints, integration patterns and security baselines.
  • Architecture Review Authority – chair Enterprise & Solution Design Boards; arbitrate design disputes and report KPI adherence to ELT.
  • Practice Leadership – line-manage 5-10 Domain Architects (Cloud, Data, Integration, Workplace, Security) plus a methods/tooling squad; run the global community-of-practice.
  • Regulatory & Risk Alignment – assure architectures meet FCA / PRA, GDPR and regional regulations; provide board-level traceability on resilience and data-protection controls.
  • Transformation Acceleration – partner with programme directors to retire legacy estates, adopt event-driven platforms, and enable AI/ML workloads through compliant cloud patterns.

Candidate Profile – Must Have

  • 15+ yrs enterprise architecture in global, regulated FS or equivalent complexity.
  • Demonstrable ownership of an EA Operating Model and governance framework at enterprise scale (>5,000 users, multi-region).
  • Deep hands-on expertise in two or more domains: hybrid-cloud, data platforms, integration, workplace, security.
  • Proven deployment of policy-driven automation (OPA, Sentinel, Kyverno or similar) integrated with Terraform/Ansible IaC.
  • Track record leading distributed architect teams / CoEs and motivating senior practitioners.
  • Executive-level stakeholder management; comfortable defending architecture ROI to CIO/CTO and board committees.
  • Certifications: TOGAF (or equivalent) and cloud (Azure highly favoured; AWS/GCP advantageous).

Desirable Extras

  • Core-banking or investment-platform modernisation experience (Aladdin, CRIMS, SimCorp, State Street Alpha).
  • Familiarity with BIAN, BCF or other capability frameworks.
  • Knowledge-graph / AI-assisted modelling exposure.
  • MBA or comparable commercial qualification.

Head of Architecture Standards, Patterns & Governance employer: Intelix.AI

As a leading employer in the financial services sector, we offer an exceptional work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility, while our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous learning opportunities and leadership development programmes. Join us in London, where you will be at the forefront of architectural excellence, driving impactful change in a supportive and dynamic culture.
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Contact Detail:

Intelix.AI Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Architecture Standards, Patterns & Governance

Tip Number 1

Network with professionals in the architecture and financial services sectors. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or local meetups to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends and challenges in enterprise architecture.

Tip Number 2

Showcase your leadership skills by engaging in discussions on platforms like LinkedIn or relevant forums. Share insights on governance frameworks and policy-driven automation to demonstrate your expertise and thought leadership in the field.

Tip Number 3

Familiarise yourself with the specific tools and technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Open Policy Agent and Terraform. Consider taking online courses or certifications to enhance your knowledge and make you a more attractive candidate.

Tip Number 4

Prepare for executive-level stakeholder management by practising how to articulate the ROI of architectural decisions. Use case studies or examples from your past experience to illustrate your ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Architecture Standards, Patterns & Governance

Enterprise Architecture
TOGAF
Policy-as-Code Automation
Open Policy Agent
CI/CD Integration
Cloud Architecture (Azure, AWS, GCP)
Data Platforms
Integration Patterns
Security Baselines
Governance Frameworks
Stakeholder Management
Team Leadership
Regulatory Compliance (FCA, PRA, GDPR)
Transformation Strategy
Legacy System Modernisation
Architecture Review Authority
Metrics and KPI Reporting
Community of Practice Development
Hands-on Technical Expertise
Commercial Acumen

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in enterprise architecture, particularly in regulated financial services. Emphasise your hands-on expertise in hybrid-cloud, data platforms, and integration, as well as any leadership roles you've held.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, address how your background aligns with the core accountabilities of the role. Discuss your experience with TOGAF, policy-driven automation, and managing distributed architect teams. Be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the job description.

Showcase Relevant Certifications: List your relevant certifications prominently, especially TOGAF and any cloud certifications like Azure, AWS, or GCP. This will demonstrate your commitment to professional development and your qualifications for the role.

Highlight Stakeholder Management Skills: Provide examples of your executive-level stakeholder management experience. Detail situations where you successfully defended architecture ROI to senior management, as this is crucial for the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Intelix.AI

Understand the Architecture Landscape

Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in enterprise architecture, especially in hybrid-cloud and data platforms. Be prepared to discuss how these trends can impact the company's architecture practice and governance.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a candidate for Head of Architecture Standards, it's crucial to demonstrate your experience in leading distributed teams. Prepare examples of how you've motivated and managed teams in previous roles, particularly in complex environments.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Expect in-depth questions about policy-as-code automation and your hands-on expertise in relevant domains. Brush up on tools like Open Policy Agent and Terraform, and be ready to discuss how you've implemented these in past projects.

Articulate Your Stakeholder Management Experience

Be ready to discuss your experience with executive-level stakeholder management. Prepare to explain how you've successfully communicated architectural decisions and defended ROI to senior leadership, including CIOs and board committees.

Head of Architecture Standards, Patterns & Governance
Intelix.AI
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  • Head of Architecture Standards, Patterns & Governance

    London
    Full-Time
    130000 - 182000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-07-03

  • I

    Intelix.AI

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