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Sword Group
Sword Group
1,001 – 5,000 Employees
CloudCybersecuritySaaS
Sword Group is a technology transformation company delivering IT solutions and digital services for organizations worldwide. Its work spans software development, cloud services, cybersecurity, data and artificial intelligence, digital workplace solutions, managed services, and information management. The company helps customers improve operational efficiency, quality, security, and cost control, including through Microsoft 365 and Azure implementations that support collaboration and data-driven decision-making. Sword Group’s reported network includes more than 2,700 employees and over 1,000 customers across 50 countries.
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Interim Head of Architecture - Hybrid UK

Sword Group is seeking an interim architecture leader to guide enterprise and solution architecture for business technology clients. The role focuses on governance, assurance and strategic technology alignment across energy, public-sector and financial-services environments.

GBUnited KingdomHybridContractLeadEnglish RequiredArchitect
Cloud

Description

  • Lead the Architecture function with day-to-day direction and oversight
  • Serve as the interim Head of Architecture
  • Partner with the senior leader overseeing Architecture, Data, Analytics, Automation, AI and Engineering
  • Coordinate and support Enterprise and Solution Architects
  • Set priorities for architecture assurance, strategic development and project support
  • Provide technical leadership and constructive challenge across IT, OT and digital initiatives
  • Help transition leadership responsibilities to a permanent Architecture structure and support the handover
  • Develop and advance enterprise architecture strategies, roadmaps, capability models and supporting materials
  • Assess the architecture repository to identify gaps, inconsistencies and improvement priorities
  • Ensure architecture deliverables are practical, usable and aligned with organisational and programme goals
  • Convert business strategy and investment priorities into architectural direction and guardrails
  • Support target-state architectures and transition roadmaps across business and technology domains
  • Lead assurance reviews for project, programme, vendor and partner solutions
  • Define and maintain architecture guardrails, principles and decision-making processes
  • Confirm that proposed solutions meet architecture standards and governance expectations
  • Challenge projects, programmes and suppliers when designs conflict with strategic direction or standards
  • Partner with delivery teams to address architecture risks, gaps and dependencies
  • Maintain alignment with SSE Group architecture processes, standards and governance mechanisms
  • Contribute to architecture forums, design reviews and decision-making groups
  • Develop relationships with senior stakeholders across technology, operations, transformation and capital delivery
  • Explain complex architecture matters clearly to technical and non-technical audiences
  • Work collaboratively with IT, OT, Engineering, Data, Analytics, Automation and AI stakeholders
  • Represent Architecture in senior technology and project discussions
  • Make recommendations and escalate significant architecture risks or decisions

Requirements

  • Previous experience leading or managing an Architecture function, team or significant architecture workstream
  • Experience in a role comparable to Head of Architecture, Chief Architect or Lead Enterprise Architect
  • Strong knowledge of both Enterprise Architecture and Solution Architecture
  • Broad technical expertise spanning applications, infrastructure, cloud, integration, data, security and operational environments
  • Substantial experience with architecture governance, design assurance and technical decision-making
  • Experience defining or applying architecture principles, standards, guardrails and review processes
  • Experience assuring solutions delivered by projects, suppliers and external delivery partners
  • Experience creating architecture strategies, roadmaps, capability models and target-state architectures
  • Strong stakeholder management skills, including the ability to influence senior business and technology leaders
  • Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building abilities
  • Ability to provide leadership and structure in an evolving environment with shifting priorities
  • Experience supporting major transformation or digitalisation programmes
  • Desirable: Experience in the utilities industry
  • Desirable: Experience in an asset-intensive organisation such as utilities, transport, infrastructure, engineering, manufacturing or oil and gas
  • Desirable: Experience with Operational Technology environments and IT/OT relationships
  • Desirable: Understanding of architecture considerations in safety-critical or regulated operational environments
  • Desirable: Experience supporting major capital investment or infrastructure delivery programmes
  • Desirable: Familiarity with architecture frameworks and methods such as TOGAF
  • Desirable: Experience operating within a federated architecture model spanning Group and business-unit architecture functions

Benefits

  • Individual career development planning aligned with personal goals and aspirations
  • Opportunities for learning and professional development
  • Flexible working arrangements
  • Generous annual leave entitlement
  • Enhanced family-friendly benefits
  • Pension scheme
  • Access to private healthcare schemes
  • Well-being programmes
  • Insurance schemes
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Discounted cash plan
  • Equal-opportunity employment in an inclusive workplace
  • Reasonable-adjustment support throughout the hiring process

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