At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT architecture strategy and governance to drive life-changing science.
- Company: Wellcome Sanger Institute, dedicated to improving human health.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and opportunity to shape future technologies.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for architectural transformation and strategic partnerships.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global health challenges through innovative IT solutions.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in IT architecture and collaboration with senior stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
Do you want to help us improve human health and understand life on Earth? Make your mark by shaping the future to enable or deliver life-changing science to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges.
We are looking for a Head of Enterprise IT Architecture to lead, coordinate and develop the IT architectural strategy, governance and standards across the Wellcome Sanger Institute. This is a senior leadership role within the Informatics and Digital Solutions (IDS) function, with responsibility for ensuring that technical designs and digital infrastructure align with institutional objectives and are robust, scalable, secure and interoperable.
You will chair the Technical Design Authority and coordinate enterprise, domain and solution architecture across research, operational and infrastructure domains. You will play a key role in managing complexity and technical debt while supporting sustainable innovation and promoting architectural best practice and design coherence across the Institute.
About the Role:
As Head of Enterprise IT Architecture, you will provide strategic leadership for architecture across a complex and diverse technology environment. You will lead and coordinate technical leads across enterprise applications, web, scientific compute, databases and infrastructure, and chair the Design Authority, providing strategic oversight of technical design assurance and architectural governance.
You will develop and maintain architecture principles, standards and technology roadmaps to guide institutional investment and delivery, including ownership of a comprehensive and up-to-date mapping of IDS systems and applications. You will review and approve key solution designs, ensuring alignment with agreed architectural standards and strategic goals.
Working with senior scientific, operational and technology leaders, you will ensure that IT architecture meets stakeholder requirements. You will guide the selection and adoption of new technologies, taking account of security, scalability and long-term sustainability, and lead technical risk management relating particularly to system design, integration and obsolescence.
You will oversee the simplification and rationalisation of the existing technology estate to reduce technical debt and improve efficiency, while promoting interoperability, data integrity and architectural reusability across the technology portfolio. You will represent the Institute in external architecture and digital infrastructure forums and help enhance strategic partnerships, including with organisations such as UKRI and EMBL-EBI.
A significant part of the role will be navigating architectural transformation across a complex, heterogeneous technical landscape: balancing standardisation with scientific flexibility and innovation, addressing long-standing technical debt, resolving divergent priorities and embedding effective governance without inhibiting agility or scientific discovery.
About You:
You will bring significant leadership experience in IT solution architecture within a complex technology environment, combined with the ability to work effectively with senior scientific, operational and technology stakeholders.
Head of Enterprise IT Architecture employer: Wellcome Genome Campus
The Wellcome Genome Campus is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to be part of a transformative scientific research environment. With a commitment to employee growth and a collaborative work culture, staff benefit from an industry-leading benefits package and the chance to contribute to one of the largest campus development programmes in the sector. Located in the heart of Europe's largest biotechnology cluster, employees enjoy a vibrant community and access to cutting-edge resources that foster innovation and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Enterprise IT Architecture
✨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 Wellcome Genome Campus 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 Wellcome Genome Campus 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.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
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 Wellcome Genome Campus!
✨Direct Apply to Wellcome Genome Campus
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Wellcome Genome Campus 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 Head of Enterprise IT Architecture
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 Wellcome Genome Campus.
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 Wellcome Genome Campus. 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 Wellcome Genome Campus
✨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.
