At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the architecture function and drive transformation in a regulated UK bank.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking bank focused on AI-enabled operating models.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on modernisation and strategic technology roadmaps.
- Why this job: Shape the future of banking with innovative architecture and technology.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in architecture and expertise in payments or FX platforms.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
Referment is working with a regulated UK bank that provides cross-border payments and FX services to institutional clients, on the appointment of a Head of Architecture based in London. the organisation is undertaking a multi-year transformation toward an agentic, AI-enabled operating model, and architecture sits at the centre of re-platforming the business for that future.
You'll own the end-to-end enterprise architecture and lead a small team of enterprise and domain architects through the change.
The Role
As Head of Architecture you'll define and own the current-state, transitional and target-state architectures across business, data, application and technology domains.
A large part of the mandate is designing what an agentic, AI-enabled operating model actually requires - autonomy layers, orchestration patterns and human-in-the-loop principles - and making it concrete through reference architectures, standards and modular work packages.
You'll also modernise the function itself, with flexible governance and streamlined guardrails that support continuous delivery rather than block it.
- Lead, mentor and develop a team of enterprise and domain architects, raising engineering practice and capability maturity.
- Shape strategic technology roadmaps alongside senior stakeholders, identifying transformational opportunities across payments, FX, data, AI and platform domains.
- Lead complex, multi-disciplinary change across legacy and modern systems, driving architectural simplification and scalable patterns.
- Champion event-driven, microservices-based, cloud-native architectures, governing decisions pragmatically to balance innovation, technical debt and regulatory expectations.
- Work closely with engineering and change teams to translate architectural intent into practical execution frameworks and incremental, measurable value.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior executives on strategic technology decisions and business-architecture alignment.
What We're Looking For
- Proven experience leading an architecture function in a high-change, transformation-heavy environment.
- Deep expertise in payments, FX or other high-scale transaction-processing platforms.
- Hands-on experience architecting distributed, event-driven, microservices-oriented systems.
- Strong communication and stakeholder-influencing skills with senior leadership.
- Experience across modern and legacy technologies, including defining modernisation pathways.
- Comfort operating in a regulated environment with strong cross-functional engagement.
- Familiarity with architecture frameworks such as TOGAF or Archi Mate.
- A technical degree.
Also useful: exposure to AI, agentic architectures, intelligent orchestration or autonomous workflows; cross-border FX and payments experience; or a background in systems engineering, data architecture or platform engineering.
The role is based in London with a hybrid working pattern of four days a week on-site.
This could suit a principal or lead architect at a payments or transaction-processing platform ready to run an architecture function, or an existing head of architecture who wants a transformation this hands-on.
- #Referment
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Architecture (2909C6A) in London employer: Referment
Referment is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Finance Director, you will not only lead the finance function but also play a pivotal role in shaping the company's growth trajectory, with ample opportunities for professional development and advancement. Located in a vibrant B2B technology hub, the company provides a supportive environment where your contributions are valued and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Architecture (2909C6A) in London
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Referment who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Architecture (2909C6A) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Referment!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Referment. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Referment
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Referment.
