Head of Enterprise Architecture

Head of Enterprise Architecture / Yorkshire 3x a week / £150,000 plus bonus / 18 Month FTC

We’re supporting a confidential organisation on one of the largest and most business-critical technology transformation programmes currently underway in the UK.

This is a major enterprise-wide modernisation programme focused on replacing legacy core platforms, driving large-scale systems integration, and reshaping the future architecture capability of the organisation. With a programme team expected to peak at circa 500 people, this role will sit at the centre of strategic technology decision-making and executive engagement.

The organisation is looking for a senior Head of Enterprise Architecture to lead a sizeable architecture function, strengthen delivery alignment across internal and external teams, and provide the leadership needed to drive a complex transformation at pace.

This is a highly visible leadership role reporting directly into senior transformation leadership with regular exposure to C-suite and Executive Committee stakeholders.

What do we need from you?

• Proven experience operating as a Head of Enterprise Architecture or equivalent enterprise architecture leadership role
• Strong financial services experience is a must, ideally within core platform or core banking transformation environments
• Experience leading large architecture functions (circa 40+ people)
• Ability to operate credibly at executive and board level
• Experience working within large-scale transformation programmes (£100m+ environments)
• Strong stakeholder management and relationship-building capability
• Experience managing and improving relationships with large external delivery partners
• Deep understanding of enterprise architecture strategy, governance, and transformation delivery
• Comfortable operating within hybrid delivery environments combining traditional governance with agile delivery models
• Able to bring external expertise and challenge into established internal teams

The Role

As Head of Enterprise Architecture, you will lead and evolve the enterprise architecture capability across a complex transformation programme that is modernising critical enterprise systems and services.

You’ll inherit an established internal architecture function and will be responsible for providing strategic direction, improving operating effectiveness, and ensuring architecture decisions support long-term business and technology outcomes.

A major focus of the role will be driving stronger alignment between internal teams and external delivery partners, ensuring architecture governance, standards, and delivery approaches are fit for purpose across a large multi-supplier environment.

This is not a hands-on solution architecture role. The organisation needs a senior leader capable of operating at head-of-function level with the gravitas to influence senior executives, challenge where needed, and drive confidence across both business and technology stakeholders.

Key Focus Areas

• Lead and develop a large enterprise architecture function
• Define and drive enterprise architecture strategy across a major transformation programme
• Improve collaboration and effectiveness across internal and external architecture teams
• Ensure architecture governance and decision-making support programme pace and quality
• Operate as a senior technology leader across executive and programme forums
• Support strategic planning around legacy replacement and future-state architecture
• Bring modern architecture thinking and external market experience into the organisation
• Drive consistency across architecture standards, tooling, and governance
• Build strong relationships across technology, transformation, delivery, and executive leadership teams

What’s in it for you?

• Opportunity to lead architecture on one of the largest transformation programmes in the UK market
• Significant executive visibility and influence
• Ability to shape the future-state technology landscape of a major organisation
• Work within a complex, high-investment enterprise environment
• Highly strategic role with genuine organisational impact
• Long-term programme roadmap with substantial delivery scope

This role requires someone comfortable being onsite 3 days per week due to the seniority, visibility, and collaborative nature of the programme.

If you’re interested in hearing more, please apply with your latest CV for a confidential discussion.