NATO Enterprise Architect - Manager in Bristol

Squarcle is a growing strategy, operations and digital consultancy dedicated to driving the performance of our clients. We are people‑oriented and pride ourselves on our people‑first culture. The Digital Capability provides expert technology, digitisation strategy, architecture, service design, operational optimisation and analysis advice to clients operating in fast‑moving, regulated and high‑security environments.

The team works across digital strategy, enterprise and solution architecture, systems integration, data, service transition, operational support and technology‑enabled transformation. Working collaboratively or independently, team members engage directly with clients, both onsite and remotely, to resolve complex and strategically important challenges. Squarcle is committed to equality and diversity.

As a NATO Enterprise Architect, you will support Squarcle’s digital and defence growth by shaping enterprise, solution and service architectures for complex NATO, MOD and wider defence clients. The role will be particularly important in supporting NATO and NCIA opportunities involving logistics information services, operational support systems, service management, secure environments and integration with NATO functional systems, including LOGFAS and related legacy applications.

You will operate across bid, mobilisation and delivery phases, helping Squarcle interpret client requirements, define credible technical and service delivery approaches, shape transition and operating models, and assure that proposed solutions are secure, supportable, interoperable and deliverable within classified, multi‑national and mission‑critical environments.

The role requires a blend of enterprise architecture, service delivery management, defence logistics awareness, systems integration, ITSM and bid leadership. The successful candidate must be comfortable working with senior stakeholders, delivery teams, partners and client representatives to turn complex operational requirements into clear, compliant and compelling solution responses.

PRIMARY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support Squarcle’s response to NATO, NCIA, MOD and wider defence ITTs by interpreting technical, operational, service management and assurance requirements and translating them into clear solution, delivery and service propositions.
• Provide strategic technology and service delivery advice to senior client stakeholders, clearly articulating trade‑offs, risks, assumptions, dependencies and recommendations.
• Develop compelling bid narratives, technical responses, service management approaches, delivery models, acceptance strategies and mobilisation plans.
• Define and maintain target enterprise, solution and service architectures for client organisations, ensuring alignment with business strategy, operating models, mission outcomes and regulatory context.
• Develop multi‑year technology and service roadmaps spanning applications, data, infrastructure, integration, security, support and operational transition.
• Establish and govern architecture principles, standards, reference models and secure patterns that drive consistency, re‑use and architectural coherence across programmes and portfolios.
• Create architecture artefacts including capability maps, application and data landscapes, integration blueprints, environment models, service models, operating models and transition plans.
• Define end‑to‑end service delivery approaches for defence and NATO systems, including service transition, live service support, incident and problem management, change and release management, service reporting, service levels and operational governance.
• Develop architectures and service models that reflect NATO and defence delivery environments, including development, test, integration, staging, training, operational, classified and deployed environments.
• Provide architectural and service management insight into logistics and operational support systems, including LOGFAS and related NATO functional services, ensuring integration, interoperability and operational continuity are properly addressed.
• Chair or play a leading role in architecture and service governance forums, assuring designs against agreed enterprise standards, service principles, NCSC Secure by Design principles, NIST Cybersecurity Framework expectations and client‑specific security requirements.
• Collaborate with delivery and programme teams to ensure architecture is translated into executable plans and that anticipated business, mission and technology benefits are realised.
• Mentor consultants and analysts, building architecture, service management and defence delivery capability across the Digital Capability.
• Oversee the coherence of multiple solution architectures, ensuring they integrate into a unified, scalable, secure and strategically aligned enterprise landscape.
• Support business development by contributing high‑quality enterprise, solution and service architecture insight to bids, proposals and client presentations.

SECONDARY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the development and continual enhancement of internal business methodologies, including architecture approaches, service design methods, governance models and quality standards.
• Facilitate and actively participate in communities of practice, promoting knowledge exchange across architecture, service management, defence, logistics, data and consulting domains.
• Create and deliver high‑quality thought leadership such as white papers, blogs, frameworks or conference presentations, positioning Squarcle as a credible authority on defence digital transformation and service architecture.
• Engage with partner vendors and technology alliances, building awareness of emerging capabilities and ensuring relevant roadmaps are understood, assessed and appropriately incorporated into client strategies.
• Support internal resourcing and capability planning, providing insight into skills requirements, role definitions and competency development needed to grow a high‑performing architecture and service management practice.
• Maintain clear, structured and auditable architectural and service documentation, including decisions, assumptions, exceptions, waivers and governance outcomes.
• Support structured performance reporting and professional development for junior colleagues, ensuring clear growth pathways, meaningful feedback and alignment with Squarcle’s competency framework.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

• Active Security Clearance, or capable of achieving SC.
• Significant practical architecture experience at senior or strategic level, shaping technology strategy, roadmaps, operating models and delivery approaches across complex organisations.
• Experience working on complex defence, NATO, MOD, NCIA or similarly secure public‑sector technology programmes.
• Experience defining or assuring delivery environments for secure systems, including development, test, integration, staging, training, operational and classified environments.
• Experience supporting bids, ITTs, proposals or competitive procurements for complex technology, systems integration or managed service programmes.
• Understanding of solution architectures in complex legacy estates, including interface definition, data exchange, operational dependencies and non‑functional requirements.
• Strong background in digital transformation, cloud adoption and modernisation of legacy estates across applications, data and infrastructure.
• Proven experience working in a consulting or professional services environment, engaging directly with senior client stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of common architecture frameworks and practices, including TOGAF and NAF or MODAF, and how to apply them pragmatically.
• Track record of leading architecture governance, standards definition and assurance across multiple programmes or portfolios.
• Experience developing architecture and service artefacts such as capability maps, application and data landscapes, integration blueprints, service models, support models, environment models, transition plans and service readiness material.
• Solid knowledge of cloud platforms, integration patterns, data platforms, cybersecurity principles and secure‑by‑design delivery at enterprise level.

DESIRABLE

• Degree‑level qualification in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business, Defence, Logistics or a related discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
• Knowledge of NATO, NCIA or multinational defence operating environments.
• Familiarity with LOGFAS or NATO logistics, movement, sustainment, enablement or operational support systems.
• Familiarity with NATO security, accreditation, acceptance or assurance processes, including concepts such as PSA, FSA, security accreditation, operational acceptance and service readiness.
• ITIL 4 Managing Professional, ITIL 4 Foundation or equivalent practical service management experience.
• Relevant architecture certifications such as TOGAF, ArchiMate, Zachman, BCS Enterprise and Solution Architecture, or equivalent.
• Experience with architecture tools such as Sparx EA, Archi, LeanIX, Orbus iServer or Bizzdesign.
• Practical experience of cloud architecture certifications such as AWS Solutions Architect or Azure Enterprise Architect.
• Experience with logistics, supply chain, military engineering, medical support or operational sustainment systems.
• Experience supporting transition from project delivery into live service for COTS, configured SaaS, bespoke or hybrid solutions.
• Knowledge of IT operating model design and target state operating models, including DevOps, SIAM, Scaled Agile or enterprise‑scale service management.
• Previous line management or matrix leadership of architecture, service management or delivery teams.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Generous leave package: 26 days of annual leave (including your birthday!) plus UK bank holidays – increasing to 27 days after three years, and 28 after seven years. You’ll also get five extra days for your five and 10‑year anniversaries. Additional leave for members of the Reserve Forces and CFAV.
• Private medical insurance provided once you’ve completed your probation.
• Recognition and rewards: £1,000 referral bonus for successful hires, performance‑related awards, milestone and life‑event hampers to celebrate life’s big moments.
• Development & learning: Annual training week abroad, funding for qualifications that benefit both you and the business.
• Travel & wellbeing: Cycle to work scheme, discounted travel through funded railcards.
• Pension: Our pension provider is NOW Pensions, pension contributions are 3% employer and 5% employee.

We review our benefits regularly to ensure they stay competitive and meaningful – so this list may evolve as we grow. Our working hours are 8:30 am – 5:30 pm (with an hour for lunch), Monday – Friday.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 6 months. If you hold dual citizenship or nationality from another country, please make us aware of this during the application phase. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

We’re committed to creating a diverse environment. We embrace differences and hire based on merit, giving equal consideration to all applications, regardless of gender, background, and race.