At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and evolve scalable, secure solutions for public service delivery.
- Company: Join the Crown Commercial Service, leading digital transformation in the public sector.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, technical allowance, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of technology in public services.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in enterprise architecture and technical leadership.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 49800 - 59000 £ per year.
£59,877 - £66,869 plus up to £9,000 technical allowance
Published on 15 January 2026
Deadline 25 January 2026
Location: Birmingham, Liverpool, Newport (Gwent), Norwich
Ready to step up from merely managing systems to designing the future of our entire technology ecosystem? We are seeking X2 Senior Technical Architect to be the driving force behind our next generation of scalable, resilient, and innovative solutions, directly translating business strategy into technical reality. Do you possess the deep technical mastery to mentor a high‑performing engineering team while navigating the complex trade‑offs between speed, cost, and quality?
Job Summary
We are seeking a visionary Senior Technical Architect ready to own and evolve our enterprise‑wide DDaT technical strategy and architecture. You will be the defining authority, responsible for architecting highly scalable, secure, and resilient solutions that directly impact public service delivery. Lead technical governance, mentor high‑performing engineering teams, and drive our complex digital transformation journey by translating national strategy into robust technical reality.
Directorate Overview
The Digital & Data Services (DDS) directorate is at the heart of CCS's digital transformation journey, responsible for delivering modern, efficient, and user‑centred digital services that support over £30bn of public sector procurement annually. We are building a world‑class digital capability that will revolutionise how the public sector buys common goods and services.
Team Summary
The team operates as a single, unified unit of 6 (and growing to 10), combining both Enterprise Architecture (EA) and Senior Technical Architecture expertise. While we leverage supplemental support from preferred partners, we always maintain control, with our architects establishing the guardrails and managing the strategic direction of their work.
Key Accountabilities
- Own the Technical Vision: Define the 'how' for all strategic change, ensuring solutions align with the long‑term enterprise architecture.
- Lead Technical Governance: Champion and implement architectural standards, including Secure by Design, across high‑impact projects.
- Mentor and Guide Teams: Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineering and architecture teams on complex design decisions.
- Manage Architectural Risk: Identify and clearly articulate technical debt and architectural risks early in the investment process.
- Ensure System Integrity: Verify that new High‑Level Designs (HLDs) are scalable, secure, and fit within the broader CCS technology ecosystem.
- Drive Strategic Alignment: Collaborate with Business Architecture to translate strategic goals into practical, resilient technical blueprints.
- Review Supplier Capability: Assess the technical viability and integration methods of solutions proposed by market suppliers (e.g., for the Self‑Serve programme).
- Document Architecture: Lead the creation of clear, concise architectural documentation suitable for senior leadership.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria (to be assessed at application stage):
- Enterprise Architecture Governance: Proven experience in defining and enforcing architectural standards (e.g., through an Architecture Review Board or similar forum) to manage technical debt and ensure system integrity.
- Secure & Scalable Design: Deep expertise in designing and leading the implementation of highly scalable, resilient, and secure solutions, including applying Secure by Design principles to large‑scale platforms (e.g., IDAM or high‑volume transactional services).
- Strategic Technical Alignment: Ability to translate abstract business or policy strategy into concrete, actionable technical blueprints, and effectively articulate risks to senior stakeholders (e.g., GCF architecture presentation at 'level zero').
- Complex Integration & Trade‑offs: Demonstrated experience navigating and making complex technical trade‑offs (e.g., speed vs. cost vs. quality) and defining integration strategy for major enterprise systems.
- Leadership: Experience in providing technical mentorship and coaching to technical teams.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical Skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Senior Technical Architect - Crown Commercial Service - G7 in Birmingham employer: Manchester Digital
Contact Detail:
Manchester Digital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technical Architect - Crown Commercial Service - G7 in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Watch their webinars, read up on their projects, and understand their mission. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to technical architecture and leadership. Think about how you can demonstrate your experience in managing complex trade-offs and mentoring teams. We want to see your thought process!
✨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, it shows you’re serious about joining us at CCS and contributing to our digital transformation journey.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Architect - Crown Commercial Service - G7 in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with enterprise architecture governance and secure design. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at CCS!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Don’t forget to mention any experience you have in mentoring teams or leading technical projects. We’re looking for someone who can guide our engineering teams through complex design decisions.
Be Clear and Concise: When documenting your architectural experience, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to describe your past projects and how they relate to the role. We appreciate clarity as much as complexity!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital
✨Understand the Technical Landscape
Before your interview, dive deep into the current technology ecosystem of the Crown Commercial Service. Familiarise yourself with their digital transformation goals and how your expertise in scalable and secure solutions can align with their vision.
✨Prepare for Complex Trade-offs
Be ready to discuss your experience with navigating complex technical trade-offs. Think of specific examples where you balanced speed, cost, and quality in your previous projects, as this will showcase your strategic thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Showcase Your Mentorship Skills
As a Senior Technical Architect, mentoring is key. Prepare to share instances where you've guided engineering teams through challenging design decisions, highlighting your leadership style and ability to foster high-performing teams.
✨Articulate Architectural Risks Clearly
During the interview, be prepared to articulate potential architectural risks and technical debt. Use clear examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you identified these issues early and managed them effectively, ensuring system integrity.