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 Liverpool 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 Liverpool
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Crown Commercial Service on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the team and culture, plus it might just get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into their recent projects and initiatives. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to their digital transformation journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your technical explanations! You’ll need to articulate complex ideas clearly, especially when discussing architectural standards and governance. We want to see how you can simplify the intricate stuff for non-tech folks.
✨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 us you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Architect - Crown Commercial Service - G7 in Liverpool
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 the role of Senior Technical Architect, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since mentoring high-performing teams is key for this role, include examples of how you've guided technical teams in the past. We love seeing candidates who can communicate their leadership style and impact on team dynamics.
Be Clear and Concise: When documenting your architectural experience, clarity is crucial. Use straightforward language and structure your application to make it easy for us to see your qualifications at a glance. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can create clear architectural documentation!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the application process there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital
✨Understand the Technical Landscape
Before your interview, dive deep into the technical requirements outlined in the job description. Familiarise yourself with concepts like Secure by Design and scalable solutions. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare Real-World Examples
Think of specific projects where you've successfully navigated complex trade-offs between speed, cost, and quality. Be ready to discuss how you led teams through these challenges and the impact of your decisions. Concrete examples will make your experience more relatable and memorable.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Technical Architect, mentoring is key. Prepare to discuss your approach to guiding engineering teams and how you've fostered a culture of collaboration and innovation. Highlight any instances where your leadership directly contributed to project success.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's digital transformation journey and how the architecture team collaborates with other departments. This shows you're not just interested in the role, but also in how you can contribute to the bigger picture.