Principal Technical Architect - AI Programme (SC/NPPV3 Clearance

Principal Technical Architect - AI Programme (SC/NPPV3 Clearance)

Location: Remote/UK-based, with occasional travel
Contract: Interim/Contract
Security Clearance: Active SC required; NPPV3 desirable
Sector: Public Sector/Central Government/Policing/Law Enforcement

The Opportunity

We're working with a major national organisation operating at the heart of UK policing and digital transformation, looking to appoint an experienced Principal Architect to help shape its technology strategy and future architecture capability.

This is an opportunity to join an organisation undergoing significant transformation, with a renewed focus on modernising technology, strengthening architecture governance and accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The organisation is looking for someone who can bring fresh thinking, strong technical leadership and genuine enthusiasm for innovation.

You'll be joining an established architecture function with a clear strategic direction, working alongside senior stakeholders to influence technology decisions and help shape the future of digital capabilities across policing.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide senior technical and architectural leadership across complex digital transformation programmes.

• Help define and shape enterprise and solution architecture strategies, standards and roadmaps.

• Champion the adoption of AI, automation and emerging technologies, identifying opportunities to deliver measurable operational improvements.

• Work closely with senior technology leaders, delivery teams and business stakeholders to ensure technology investments align with organisational priorities.

• Contribute to architecture governance, including Technical Design Authorities, assurance processes and architectural decision-making.

• Support the development of a modern, scalable and secure technology landscape.

• Provide architectural oversight and guidance across multiple programmes and initiatives.

• Challenge existing approaches, introduce innovative thinking and help strengthen the organisation's architecture capability.

What We're Looking For

We're particularly interested in speaking with experienced architects who combine strong technical credibility with strategic thinking and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Essential experience:

• Significant experience as a Principal Architect, Enterprise Architect, Lead Architect or senior Solution Architect.

• Proven experience shaping architecture strategy within large, complex organisations.

• Strong understanding of modern technology landscapes, including cloud platforms, integration, data and digital services.

• Experience establishing or working within architecture governance and assurance frameworks.

• Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, translating technical complexity into clear business outcomes.

• Experience delivering technology transformation in complex, highly regulated or security-conscious environments.

• Active SC security clearance.

Highly desirable:

• Strong interest in, and practical experience of, AI, machine learning, automation or emerging technology adoption.

• Experience developing AI strategies, reference architectures or AI-enabled enterprise capabilities.

• Previous experience within policing, law enforcement, defence, central government or wider public sector.

• Familiarity with NPPV3 vetting requirements.

• Experience supporting architecture capability development and mentoring other architects.

Why This Role?

This isn't simply a role focused on maintaining existing architecture standards.

The organisation is looking for someone who can challenge thinking, influence strategy and help drive meaningful technology innovation.

There is a particular ambition to strengthen how AI and emerging technologies are understood, governed and adopted across the organisation and the wider policing landscape.

You'll have the opportunity to work alongside senior decision-makers, influence important technology initiatives and contribute to transformation programmes with significant national impact.

Interested?

If you're an experienced architect with strong technical leadership skills, a passion for AI and emerging technologies, and an interest in shaping the future of public sector technology, we'd be keen to speak with you.

Please apply or contact Jim Cook at La Fosse for a confidential discussion.