Director of IT Strategy and Architecture

We are looking for a Director of Strategy and Architecture to lead the IT strategy and architecture capability for the future. Technology is a central part of driving the future success and growth of new and current service lines, further leveraging the data they hold, and looking for opportunities to integrate future technology trends ahead of their competitors, where relevant.

Reporting to the CIO, the successful candidate will work to align the technology strategy with the business vision and identify the future direction of technology across the group. As the Director of IT Strategy and Architecture you will own the architecture roadmap, build and develop the Strategy and lead an established and high-functioning team of architects. You will continuously assess the technical strategy, direction and provide over-arching governance to enterprise architecture.

You'll be instrumental in designing, developing, and delivering state-of-the-art and innovative software and technical solutions, which will be achieved through coordinating analysis of future trends and requirements, assessing this data, identifying, and implementing changes to the current enterprise level architecture to capitalise on them. In addition, you'll collaborate with stakeholders to establish the architectural vision and ensure it is aligned to the business strategy and objective.

Responsibilities:

• Passionate advocate for continuous improvement, inspiring others to embrace change and adopt innovative approaches to problem-solving.
• Developing digital strategies for scaling and innovation - utilising Technology as an enabler
• Team Leadership - managing a team of highly skilled architects (30+) whose primary role is to accelerate the delivery of highly available, scalable, and secure solutions.
• Drive the adoption of industry best practices, standards, and architectural principles
• Implement a lean process for architecture oversight, and alignment to the reference architecture.
• Manage the overall architecture strategy and technical direction
• Implement a technology radar, and evaluation process to standardize our use of tools, techniques, platforms, languages and frameworks.

Skills

• A proven track record of successfully developing and implementing technology & digital strategies that have driven scaling / business growth and innovation.
• Proven experience of working in enterprise and technical architecture design and leadership
• Influencing skills with experience of regular interaction and negotiation with Director-level colleagues
• Proven track record of leadership in technology roles, preferably in a senior executive capacity, with a high level of commercial (inc. budget) accountability.
• Up-to-date and well-maintained knowledge of the global technology landscape, including AI and emerging technology.
• Strong strategic thinking and business acumen with the ability to interpret the technology initiatives that will support organisational goals.
• Experience of producing high level Technology Strategy and any associated roadmaps.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take up a highly innovative technology strategy and leadership role. The post is naturally seen as a successor role to the CIO so has real opportunity for genuine future career growth ahead of it, with a real business-drive to use future technology trends to drive their onward journey. If interested in a confidential conversation then please get in touch by sharing an up-to-date copy of your CV, along with a covering note to highlight your suitability and examples of driving innovation through technology today.