At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and architecture vision for a dynamic charity, ensuring modern and scalable solutions.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking charity with a commitment to technology and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, flexible working, and generous pension contributions.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping technology that supports the armed forces community.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in technology architecture and a passion for innovative solutions.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 80000 £ per year.
We have an opportunity available within our Technology Team as a Head of Design and Architecture. This newly created role will be part of the Technology Leadership Team and will report directly to the Director of Technology. The ideal candidate will be a strategic and dynamic leader who will drive the charity’s Digital and Technology architecture vision, ensuring solutions are modern, secure, scalable, and aligned to organisational goals. This role will drive the development of an enterprise-wide architecture framework, bringing consistency across systems, platforms, and data while improving user experience and maximising impact.
Working closely with leaders across Digital, Data and Technology, the successful candidate will provide expert leadership to Solution Architects and technical teams, shape the technology roadmap, identify modernisation opportunities, and ensure technology investments deliver long-term value, efficiency, and sustainability.
Key Responsibilities- Lead the Technical Design Authority (TDA), setting direction, chairing governance forums, and ensuring all technology changes adhere to enterprise architecture principles and organisational strategy.
- Define and maintain the enterprise architecture vision, ensuring a coherent, future ready technology ecosystem aligned with organisational needs and long-term strategy.
- Oversee and assure all solution designs, including internal architecture outputs and third-party partner designs, ensuring they are secure, scalable, cost‑effective, and aligned to enterprise‑wide standards.
- Support the creation and maintenance of the technology roadmap working closely with the Technology Director and in close collaboration with leaders within Technology, setting direction for platforms, tooling, integrations, and modernisation activities.
- Lead, develop, and mentor architects and design specialists, embedding high standards of delivery, design thinking, and architectural excellence across the team.
You will be contracted to our Haig House hub with a minimum expectation of two days per week working in person at the hub and flexibility for working remotely/at home when not on site.
Employee Benefits- 28 day’s paid holiday (plus bank holidays) increasing with service, with optional annual leave purchase scheme of up to 5 working days
- Enhanced paid maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Generous pension contributions, with Employer contributions ranging from 6% to 10%
- Range of flexible working options may be available, depending on your role
- Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling, financial and legal advice
- Range of courses delivered by learning specialists to support your development goals and objectives
- Opportunities to volunteer
- Travel loans, Cycle to Work, and more!
RBL is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive organisation, reflecting the diversity of the armed forces community and of wider society. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and personal characteristics. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interview schemes for candidates who declare an Armed Forces connection and/or a disability. However, candidates are only eligible for this scheme if their application clearly demonstrates that they meet all of the essential criteria listed in the Person Specification for the role. We may close this vacancy early if we believe we have enough strong applications to be able to successfully fill the role(s). Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Head of Design and Architecture employer: Royal British Legion Group
As a leading charity, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values innovation and collaboration within our Technology Team. Our Haig House hub offers a supportive work culture with flexible working options, generous benefits including enhanced parental leave and a commitment to employee development through tailored training programmes. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a diverse and inclusive environment that reflects the community we serve.
Contact Details:
Royal British Legion Group Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Design and Architecture
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back! Share your past projects and how you’ve tackled challenges. We want to see your passion and expertise shine through, so make sure to highlight your achievements.
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every role is different, so take the time to understand what the company is looking for. We recommend tailoring your conversations to align with their goals and values. This shows you’re genuinely interested and have done your homework!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about joining our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Design and Architecture
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the Head of Design and Architecture role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a strategic leader, it's crucial to demonstrate your ability to lead teams and drive architectural vision. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led projects or teams in the past, especially in tech environments.
Highlight Your Technical Expertise:We want to see your knowledge of modern, secure, and scalable solutions. Include details about your experience with enterprise architecture frameworks and any relevant technologies you've worked with to show you're the right fit for us.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our website! This ensures we receive all your details correctly and helps us keep track of your application. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal British Legion Group
✨Know Your Architecture Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and best practices in digital architecture. Brush up on enterprise architecture frameworks and be ready to discuss how you can align them with the organisation's goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past. Highlight your experience in mentoring architects and driving design thinking, as this role requires strong leadership to embed high standards across the team.
✨Understand the Organisation’s Vision
Research the charity’s mission and values. Be prepared to articulate how your vision for technology architecture aligns with their organisational strategy and how you can contribute to maximising impact.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think of scenarios where you had to make tough decisions regarding technology investments or architecture changes, and be ready to explain your thought process.
