At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of complex IT solutions in Health and Social Care.
- Company: Join MPA Recruitment, a key player in digital transformation for healthcare.
- Benefits: Weekly pay, holiday pay, and dedicated support throughout your placement.
- Other info: Opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare services while driving innovation and service improvement.
- Qualifications: Experience in technical architecture and managing large-scale projects is essential.
The predicted salary is between 69935 - 85477 £ per year.
Location: James House, Belfast
Hours: Full-Time (37.5 hours per week)
About the Role
MPA Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced Senior Technical Architect on behalf of the Business Services Organisation (BSO).
This is an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced technical professional to take a lead role in the design, integration and delivery of complex IT solutions supporting major programmes across Health and Social Care (HSC).
Working within the Digital Operations Directorate, you will provide specialist technical leadership and strategic advice across a broad range of technology areas, including networks, regional data centres, cybersecurity, cloud architecture, virtualised environments, identity management, infrastructure, data migration and healthcare interoperability.
You will lead technical workstreams, develop innovative solutions, manage complex technical change and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure successful programme delivery.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Architecture & Programme Delivery
- Lead the strategic technical design, planning, integration and implementation of major programmes impacting clinical and non-clinical services.
- Develop technical strategies, evaluate options and recommend solutions to address complex business and programme requirements.
- Analyse complex technical issues, data flows, workflows and processes to develop effective recommendations and solutions.
- Design and deliver technical solutions aligned with existing HSCNI infrastructure architecture.
- Lead the delivery and ongoing development of IT services, including data migration and system integration.
- Produce detailed technical documentation, reports, business cases and project plans.
- Provide specialist technical advice and guidance to programme teams and third‑party stakeholders.
- Service Management & Governance
- Monitor supplier performance and ensure services meet agreed service levels, quality standards and performance indicators.
- Manage technical changes, upgrades and release activities, working closely with stakeholders and the ITS Change Advisory Board.
- Maintain service transition documentation and implement effective problem‑management processes.
- Identify, manage and mitigate operational risks and service interdependencies.
- Lead business continuity and disaster recovery planning, ensuring processes are documented, tested and maintained.
- Support quality assurance, internal audits and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with senior stakeholders, technical teams, suppliers and healthcare professionals.
- Influence and gain agreement on complex technical solutions across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Communicate technical information clearly to audiences with varying levels of technical knowledge.
- Represent Digital Operations at relevant governance meetings, service reviews and management groups.
- Lead the development of training materials and deliver specialist technical training where required.
- Leadership & People Management
- Lead, motivate and support teams to deliver agreed objectives and programme outcomes.
- Manage workloads, allocate responsibilities and ensure resources are used effectively.
- Support staff performance, development and training.
- Promote a positive, collaborative and supportive working environment.
What We’re Looking for?
Essential Criteria
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet one of the following experience requirements:
Option 1
- A university degree or professional qualification, together with at least three years' experience working in a technical architectural role within a major complex organisation.
Option 2
- At least five years' experience working in a technical architectural role within a major complex organisation.
In addition, applicants must have
- Experience leading the technical design and delivery of programmes or projects with a budget exceeding £0.5 million.
- At least three years' experience managing multiple teams to successfully deliver outcomes, including collaboration with internal and external teams.
- A full, current UK driving licence and access to a car on appointment, or suitable alternative transport where applicable.
Essential Skills & Knowledge
Applicants will also be expected to demonstrate
- Experience personally managing and leading technical change through the design, development and implementation of IT systems.
- A working knowledge of IT programme and project architecture and successful implementation.
- Advanced problem‑solving skills and the ability to provide technical expertise to a large customer base.
- Knowledge of service-level management, customer service management and performance against KPIs.
- Experience working with diverse stakeholder groups to design and implement successful solutions.
- Excellent communication, engagement, facilitation and presentation skills.
- Broad technical knowledge and awareness of emerging technologies and service developments.
- Experience undertaking technical option appraisals, including assessment of financial implications.
- An understanding of licensing implications when developing technical solutions.
Desirable Criteria
The following would be advantageous
- Knowledge of the structure and key functions of Health and Social Care.
- Understanding of the role of technology in the delivery of health and social care services.
- Experience managing the integration of large-scale IT healthcare systems.
- Knowledge or experience of healthcare interoperability standards.
- Relevant professional qualifications such as PRINCE2, ITIL, TOGAF or equivalent.
Additional Information
- An Enhanced Access NI Check may be required for this role.
What we can offer you
At MPA Recruitment, we’re committed to supporting you throughout your placement. We can offer:
- Dedicated support from your MPA Recruitment Consultant.
- Weekly pay.
- Holiday pay.
- Support throughout the registration, compliance and onboarding process.
- Ongoing role availability — if one placement ends, we aim to secure another.
Why Apply?
- Take on a senior technical leadership role within a major digital programme supporting Health and Social Care across Northern Ireland.
- Influence strategic technology decisions and shape the design and delivery of complex IT solutions.
- Lead high-value programmes and workstreams with budgets exceeding £500,000.
- Work across a diverse technology landscape, including cloud architecture, cybersecurity, infrastructure, data migration and healthcare interoperability.
- Collaborate with senior stakeholders, technical specialists and external suppliers across a large organisation.
- Drive innovation, service improvement and the successful delivery of major digital transformation projects.
- Apply your expertise in a role with significant organisational impact and the opportunity to make a difference to healthcare services.
MPA Recruitment is an equal opportunities employer.
Senior Technical Architect – Band 8a employer: MPA Recruitment
Mpa Recruitment is an excellent employer for those seeking a fulfilling role as a Compassionate Care Assistant in the vibrant Belfast area. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, flexible shifts, and weekly pay, we foster a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and growth opportunities. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the lives of residents while enjoying the benefits of holiday pay and a collaborative team environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technical Architect – Band 8a
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at MPA Recruitment or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to MPA Recruitment.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like MPA Recruitment.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like MPA Recruitment that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technical Architect – Band 8a
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at MPA Recruitment.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at MPA Recruitment and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at MPA Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If MPA Recruitment uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
