Lead Technical Architect, End User Compute & Collaboration (EUC&C) - HO - G7

Location

Croydon, Manchester, Southport

About the job

Job summary

As a Lead Technical Architect, you will drive the design and implementation of enterprise-wide technical solutions that shape our future business capabilities. Leading fellow architects, and collaborate with senior stakeholders. This is a pivotal role for an experienced leader passionate about delivering cross-functional teams, you’ll ensure alignment with broader government strategies while guiding solutions around modern technologies like cloud, AI, IoT, blockchain, and more. With a focus on security, agility, and innovation, you’ll oversee multiple projects, mentor impactful solutions that support both user needs and organisational goals.

Due to business requirements this post is available on a full time/flexible working basis. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. Where this is the case, employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office. Applicants can raise any queries to the email address at the bottom of the advert.   

We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from the widest diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. We encourage applications from women, people with disabilities and LGBT+ as they are currently under-represented in the Home Office at this grade level. Appointments will be made on merit based on fair and open competition.

Watch this video to hear from members of the team talking about the projects they work on and their experience of working here.

Job description

The End User Compute and Collaboration (EUC&C) team is a multifaceted group responsible for various critical functions within the organisation. The EUC&C team plays a vital role in enhancing the organisation's digital presence and improving collaboration and communication across various departments. Their efforts ensure that end-users have the tools and support they need to work efficiently and effectively.

The Collaboration Engineering team designs, delivers, and supports services built upon the full suite of E5 licensed products under M365, Power Platform and Azure. They offer tailored support, training, and promote the benefits of M365 tools through a Digital Champions community.

As a Lead Technical Architect, you will proactively shape and deliver infrastructure and technical solutions across multiple projects or teams. You will ensure solutions align with the wider enterprise architecture and strategic goals, leveraging modern technologies to drive innovative outcomes. Collaborating with a range of stakeholders including senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and external partners. You will balance near-term delivery with long-term scalability, security, and maintainability.

You will define and evolve technical roadmaps, advise on strategic technology investments, and identify opportunities for continual improvement. Through clear, concise communication, you will secure buy-in for architectural initiatives and mentor junior architects to foster a high-performing architecture community. By evaluating emerging trends, incorporating lessons learned, and championing best practices, you will keep the technical estate flexible and future-proof, positioning the organisation for ongoing success.

Person specification

Key Responsibilities:

Define and maintain enterprise-wide technical strategies, roadmaps, and architectures aligned with broader business objectives.
Oversee design reviews, incorporating “Secure by Design” principles and compliance with architectural governance.
Coordinate with cross-government teams and external partners to ensure cohesive, integrated solutions.
Drive digital innovation by evaluating emerging technologies, embracing best practices, and championing continuous improvement.
Mentor and coach architects, fostering a culture of collaboration and technical excellence.
Facilitate the design and delivery of complex systems, ensuring performance, reliability, and security requirements are met.
Lead multiple projects, collaborating with stakeholders to address risks, budgets, and timelines.
Evaluate outcomes and integrate lessons learned into future strategies, enabling sustainable, long-term solutions.

Essential Skills:

Consistent track record of ability to lead complex technical architectures, championing innovation and best practices.
Experience working across multiple domains or projects, coordinating with third-party suppliers and cross-government teams.
Aptitude for anticipating future technologies and aligning solutions with broader strategies and business outcomes.
Expertise in delivering secure, reliable, and scalable systems within defined time and quality constraints.
Strong grasp of agile methodologies, DevOps principles, and design patterns, paired with enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF).
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, translating complex technical topics for diverse audiences.
Demonstrated leadership in mentoring or guiding other architects or technical professionals.

SFIA capability framework  

Skills for the Information Age (SFIA) is the technical framework that sets the standard capability and development of all levels in the Home Office. This is a link to the capability framework:  All skills A - Z English (sfia-online.org)  

We use set SFIA technical skills to form our interview questions and we will assess you against these technical skills during the selection process.  

The essential skills listed above are reflective of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession Career Framework (based on the industry standard SFIA framework- Use the SFIA Levels of responsibility to understand what would be expected for each technical skill listed). Please see below for the relevant skills for your role: 

SFIA Technical skills:

Strategy & Architecture:

Strategy and Planning

Innovation (INOV) – Level 3
Enterprise and Business Architecture (STPL) – Level 3
Strategic Planning (ITSP) – Level 3
Solution Architecture (ARCH) – Level 5

Advice & Guidance

Consultancy (CNSL) – Level 4
Specialist Advice (TECH) – Level 4

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Innovation (INOV) – Level 3
Enterprise and Business Architecture (STPL) – Level 3
Strategic Planning (ITSP) – Level 3
Solution Architecture (ARCH) – Level 5
Consultancy (CNSL) – Level 4
Specialist Advice (TECH) – Level 4