Head of Architecture Services

This is an exciting opportunity to oversee our dynamic team, driving delivery of high-quality, enterprise architecture design and oversight of the solutions architecture, business architecture and implementation activities to ensure alignment between technology, business strategy, and customer outcomes.

As our Head of Architecture Services you'll require strategic capabilities and an ability to direct the selection, design and implementation of services processes, systems and data. It also requires a broad and deep technical understanding of ICT, data systems and Microsoft/Housing solutions in particular.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Define and lead the business and solution architecture strategies, translating complex business challenges into actionable, future-proof solutions that support operational excellence, and customer-centric services.
• Evolve roles, responsibilities and career paths within the architecture services team, coordinating, mentoring, and developing a high-performing team
• Champion the value of architecture and business analysis to ensure technology initiatives deliver measurable business value.
• Manage Information business partners to identify opportunities, manage demand, and align IT investments with strategic priorities; working closely with the EPMO.
• Oversee the creation and maintenance of architecture artifacts, including capability register, application roadmaps, technical debt registers and standards.
• Manage the revenue budgets for the Architecture function, including staffing and tooling spend and forecasts - feeding into the overall Enterprise Solutions budget.
• Establish and maintain excellent relationships with key functions such as Business Excellence, L&OD, HR and Finance.
• Support CIO and Director of Enterprise Solutions to provide scheduled and ad-hoc updates to Board, Executive and Senior Leadership teams.

We're looking for a positive and resourceful leader with:

• Proven experience in a senior IT architecture or strategy leadership role, within housing, public sector, or a regulated environment.
• Strong background in both business and solution architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, BIZBOK).
• Demonstrated experience managing business analysis and stakeholder engagement functions.
• Strong understanding of digital transformation, SaaS/cloud strategies, integration, and data architecture.
• Knowledge of business ecosystems, SaaS, infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), service-oriented architecture (SOA), APIs, open data, microservices, event-driven IT and predictive analytics
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A passion for delivering high-quality solutions and developing people.

Although the role is home-based, you need to be able to travel to the Worcester or Birmingham offices for monthly meetings, occasional training, and other in-person events as required-anticipated to be about twice a month.

Some of the great benefits we offer:

• Up to 28 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with options to buy or sell leave.

• Family-friendly policies, including generous maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoption leave, and 3 days paid urgent domestic leave.

• Medicash membership with employee assistance programme, discounted gym access, and exclusive discounts.

• Health Cash Plan worth up to £1,700 per year for dental, optical, physio, and complementary therapies.

• Pension scheme with up to 12% employer contribution (subject to employee contribution), including life assurance.

• Learning and development opportunities.

• Employee reward and recognition scheme, wellbeing hub, and retail discounts.

Ready to make a difference?

If you're a passionate and experienced architecture leader who thrives on delivering innovative solutions, we'd love to hear from you. Join our team and help shape the future of technology at Platform Housing Group!