At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead platform architecture and ensure designs are secure, scalable, and cost-effective.
- Company: Join the fourth largest building society in the UK, owned by its members.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25+ days of leave, a bonus scheme, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong focus on training, development, and community.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology while making a real impact on business evolution.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in architecture leadership and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Hours: 35 Hours per week. Closing Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2026.
As a Senior Technology Architecture Manager, you will lead the Platform Architecture (L3) capability within Technology Services, providing deep technical and design leadership across cloud, infrastructure, colleague technology, digital, data, core banking and integration platforms. You will ensure designs are secure, scalable, resilient and cost‐effective, while aligning closely to Enterprise Architecture (L1) direction and Solution Architecture (L2) end‐to‐end designs. This role partners closely with Platform Owners and Engineering leaders to uplift non‐functional excellence, codify architectural guardrails, drive simplification and embed automation — directly supporting the TTR vision of improved flow, stronger engineering capability and more predictable value delivery. You will also act as a deputy for the Director of Technology when required.
Who are we? Not just another building society. Not just another job. We're the fourth biggest building society in the UK, and what makes us a bit different is that we're a mutual organisation. We don't have shareholders; we're owned by our members. Our colleagues say Skipton is a great place to work, and you could be one of them — bringing new ideas on how we can keep customers at the heart of what we do. Whatever your background, and whatever your goals, we'll help you take the next step towards a better future.
Our aspiration is to treat Technology as a business in its own right — with a strong Office of the CIO and an architecture capability that enables us to make the right technology choices, not just for today but for the future growth of the Society. We are creating clearer ownership, stronger decision‐making and a more joined‐up view of technology across TTR by introducing senior leadership roles that support long‐term strategy and help unlock the full value of technology for our colleagues, customers and members.
What's in it for you?
- Annual discretionary bonus scheme
- 25 days' annual leave + bank holidays, rising by 1 day per year of service (up to 30 days)
- Holiday trading scheme, allowing you to buy and sell additional annual leave
- Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10% per annum)
- Colleague mortgage (conditions apply)
- Salary sacrifice scheme for hybrid & electric cars
- A commitment to training and development
- Private medical insurance for all colleagues
- 3 paid volunteering days per year
- Diverse and inclusive colleague networks including Carers and Pride Alliance
- Health and wellbeing support, including cycle‐to‐work scheme and discounted gym membership
What will you be doing?
- Platform Architecture Leadership
- Oversee platform architectures to ensure they are resilient, adaptable and future‐proofed to support long‐term business evolution and regulatory change.
- Lead the definition and evolution of platform capabilities, developing clear north‐star visions and 3–5‐year maturity horizons.
- Embed future‐ready design principles that avoid long‐term lock‐in and reduce fragility while enabling scalable growth.
- Ensure architecture supports automation, reduces handoffs and enhances flow efficiency.
- Strategic Alignment & Governance
- Govern architectural alignment across platforms and into Solutions Architecture to reinforce organisational coherence.
- Identify duplicated patterns and technical debt, define transition states and simplification strategies.
- Establish architecture guardrails, reference models and reusable patterns to increase consistency and decision quality.
- Lead platform‐level architecture for SaaS integrations, including APIs, events, data contracts, identity and observability.
- Strategic Delivery & Prioritisation
- Play a central role in prioritisation forums such as LPM, Platform Councils and Strategy & Roadmap Planning.
- Ensure decisions support short‐term business outcomes and long‐term enterprise direction.
- Shape incremental migration paths that enable phased modernisation with reduced disruption.
- Leadership & Capability Development
- Lead, coach and mentor Platform Architects in strategic thinking, technical excellence and pragmatic delivery.
- Maintain a forward‐looking view of technology trends and integrate relevant innovations into platform roadmaps.
- Strengthen the architecture community across TTR, embedding shared standards and learning.
- Collaboration & Enterprise Impact
- Partner with ExCo, Directors, Platform Owners, Engineering and IT leaders to shape strategic capability uplift and investment decisions.
- Ensure cohesive business, data, integration, application and technology architectures across value streams.
- Maintain high‐quality architectural artefacts that guide both strategic planning and real‐time delivery.
What do we need from you?
- Knowledge, skills & experience
- Extensive senior experience in architecture leadership roles (Enterprise, Head of Architecture, Chief Architect).
- Proven ability to develop, mature and lead architecture teams and communities.
- Experience working across large‐scale transformation programmes.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders, including ExCo and ELT.
- Deep architectural modelling, conceptual thinking and simplification skills.
- Experience governing architecture across multiple business domains and technology stacks.
- Behaviours
- Strategic thinker with a strong enterprise‐wide perspective.
- Naturally curious with a continuous‐learning mindset.
- Inspirational leader able to motivate teams and model thought leadership.
- Collaborative, pragmatic and outcomes‐focused.
Senior Technology Architecture Manager in Sheffield employer: Skipton Building Society
Skipton Building Society is not just another employer; it offers a unique opportunity to be part of a mutual organisation that prioritises its members over shareholders. With a strong commitment to employee development, a diverse and inclusive work culture, and an array of benefits including generous annual leave, private medical insurance, and a focus on health and wellbeing, Skipton fosters an environment where innovation thrives and colleagues can grow their careers while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Technology Architecture Manager in Sheffield
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Skipton Building Society values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Skipton Building Society might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
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Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Skipton Building Society!
✨Direct Apply to Skipton Building Society
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Skipton Building Society website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Technology Architecture Manager in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Skipton Building Society.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Skipton Building Society. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Skipton Building Society
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
