Head of Architecture - Data Platform & Account & Identity (BBC) in Manchester

I'm currently partnered with the BBC on a key Head of Architecture hire focused on Data Platform & Account & Identity - a pivotal role sitting at the centre of their digital transformation. This is a rare opportunity to shape how data, AI/ML and identity platforms operate at national and global scale, underpinning everything from personalisation and audience insight through to regulatory compliance.

You'll operate as one of the most senior technologists in the organisation, owning architectural direction across a high-volume, event-driven ecosystem with near-zero tolerance for failure. This role is hybrid, with flexibility to be based from your nearest BBC hub - London, Manchester, Salford, Leeds, Glasgow, Cardiff or Newcastle.

The Role

As Head of Architecture, you will define and support the delivery of the technical architecture across the BBC's Data Platform and Account & Identity capabilities, working as part of the wider Product Engineering leadership team. You'll collaborate closely with Engineering, Product, Data, UX and business leadership - ensuring architectural decisions are aligned to both technical strategy and wider organisational goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and evolve platform capabilities supporting billions of audience events per day, ensuring high availability, scalability and security
• Lead the transition toward domain-oriented, platform-based architectures, embedding data product thinking and ownership models
• Own and govern architectural standards across data, AI/ML and identity ecosystems (real-time & batch processing, ML enablement, customer identity)
• Enable responsible AI and ML at scale, balancing innovation with governance, risk and safety
• Lead major technology decisions, platform strategy and vendor selection, with clear accountability for enterprise outcomes
• Line manage and develop a senior architecture team, while influencing a wider engineering and product community

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience defining and delivering technical architecture strategy at scale
• Strong background across data platforms, AI/ML enablement and/or identity systems
• Experience operating within high-availability, event-driven environments
• Ability to drive organisational and architectural transformation, not just system design
• Confidence influencing senior stakeholders and C-level leaders
• Experience leading and developing senior, technically strong teams
• Broad understanding of modern architectures including cloud (AWS), microservices and data processing at scale

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to operate at enterprise scale, shaping the future of one of the world's most recognised organisations as it continues its journey toward a fully connected, on-demand digital future. We're keen to hear from leaders who want to operate at real scale and shape the future of modern engineering. If you're inspired by public purpose and ready to lead meaningful, enterprise-level transformation, I'd love to hear from you.