At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical direction and governance for innovative education technology solutions.
- Company: Global leader in EdTech, supporting over 18 million students worldwide.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, birthday off, volunteering days, healthcare, and pension scheme.
- Other info: Hybrid role with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of education with cutting-edge technology and AI initiatives.
- Qualifications: Experience in senior architecture roles, SaaS, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Renaissance® is a global leader in education technology. We help schools and school groups in the UK and around the world with educational assessments, practice and intervention solutions, and data analytics. Renaissance now incorporates GL Assessment (known internationally as GL Education), too – a leading provider of educational assessments. Together, our assessments offer the ideal starting point to help teachers understand their students’ strengths and pinpoint areas of need. Our teaching and learning tools then provide effective next steps, with online literacy and maths solutions that meet students exactly where we are. Worldwide, we support over 18 million students, operating in over 100 countries.
We’re evolving toward an AI‑enabled, platform‑centric operating model and need a Principal Architect to provide technical leadership across our Global Technology function. You’ll shape our technical direction, establish governance, and ensure architectural alignment across platforms, products, and services—without being pulled into day‑to‑day delivery. You’ll be a facilitator and technical leader, bringing together experts across disciplines to define standards, evaluate solutions, and drive sound technical decisions.
What you’ll be getting up to with us:
- Define architecture principles, standards, and governance that enable (not block) delivery
- Establish architecture review forums and decision‑making processes
- Drive consistency in technical approaches, tooling, and platform standards
- Maintain visibility and accountability for significant technical decisions
Technical Strategy & Roadmap:
- Own and maintain the technical roadmap aligned with business and product strategy
- Identify opportunities, technical debt, platform risks, and modernisation priorities
- Support platform scalability and AI enablement initiatives
- Evaluate emerging technologies and guide adoption decisions
Cross‑Functional Leadership:
- Bring together SMEs across Engineering, Infrastructure, Security, Data, QA, and Product
- Provide architectural guidance, design reviews, and solution assurance
- Encourage reuse, standardisation, and platform thinking
Stakeholder & Global Collaboration:
- Act as technical liaison with global teams, including US‑based functions
- Represent regional requirements in global platform discussions
- Communicate architectural direction and technical trade‑offs clearly to all audiences
- Build strong relationships across technical and business teams
- Promote engineering excellence and technical quality
- Support AI‑enabled development and innovation
- Mentor engineers and technical leaders
Experience we’d love to see includes:
- Significant experience in senior architecture or technical leadership roles within SaaS or product‑led organisations
- Experience in EdTech or SaaS environments
- Strong background in software engineering, distributed systems, APIs, and cloud‑native architectures
- Proven ability to establish architecture governance and technical standards across multiple teams
- Experience influencing technical direction without direct line management authority
- Ability to work effectively across Engineering, Infrastructure, Security, Data, QA, and Product functions
- Track record defining technical roadmaps and aligning technology strategy with business objectives
- Experience in complex, multi‑team, or internationally distributed organisations
- Excellent communication skills—explaining technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences
- Strong facilitation skills to drive discussions to conclusions and establish accountability
- Ability to balance strategic vision with practical delivery realities
Benefits:
- 25 days holiday a year plus Bank Holidays (3 to be used for our Christmas shutdown)
- A day off for your birthday to celebrate in style!
- 5 volunteering days a year to use for the causes of your choice
- Access to a benefits and discount platform with discounts at retailers, leisure attractions and restaurants
- BUPA Healthcare, life assurance, permanent health insurance
- Pension scheme with enhanced employer contribution – up to 8%
- Season ticket loan and EAP
This is a hybrid role based out of our Houghton Le Spring office – the team come together a couple of times a week. There may be travel to other offices on occasion. Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this position. We have an ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and have taken strides to become a more welcoming and inclusive workplace, including the introduction of our DEI Matters Network which is owned and driven by our staff. We are an equal opportunities employer. We encourage and welcome applications from all under‑represented groups, as we believe and strive for community representation within our organisation. If you have a disability and would prefer to apply in a different format or would like us to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to apply or attend any interview, please contact us and we will talk this through with you. All your information will be kept confidential according to GDPR guidelines. Please note that we can only consider applicants who already hold a full work permit. This role is subject to DBS and background checks.
Principal Architect New Houghton le Spring employer: Renaissance Learning Inc.
Renaissance® is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the education technology sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development, alongside generous benefits such as 25 days of holiday, volunteering days, and comprehensive healthcare. Our Houghton Le Spring office promotes a hybrid working model, allowing for flexibility while ensuring team cohesion through regular in-person collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Architect New Houghton le Spring
✨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 Renaissance Learning Inc. 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 Principal Architect New Houghton le Spring
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 Renaissance Learning Inc.!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Renaissance Learning Inc.. 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 Renaissance Learning Inc.
✨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 Renaissance Learning Inc..
