Job Description

Role: Head of Architecture
Location: Birmingham (Hybrid)
Salary: 75,000 - 95,000
Network IT is recruiting for a Head of Architecture to lead enterprise and solution architecture within a large-scale, complex technology environment-specifically within the higher education sector. This is a senior leadership role requiring not only technical expertise but also a deep appreciation of the intricate structures, governance, and strategic priorities unique to universities and academic institutions.
You'll define and drive the architecture strategy across infrastructure, data, applications, and business processes, ensuring all technical decisions align with both enterprise standards and the evolving needs of a modern higher education organisation.
You'll lead a team of architects and analysts, collaborating with senior academic and administrative stakeholders to shape a long-term technology roadmap that supports digital transformation, operational efficiency, and academic excellence.
Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and evolve the enterprise architecture vision and roadmap in alignment with institutional strategy and sector-specific challenges.
• Lead solution design across complex domains, ensuring consistency, interoperability, and scalability across research, teaching, and administrative systems.
• Govern architectural decisions across business, data, application, and infrastructure layers with a strong understanding of higher education compliance and funding structures.
• Evaluate emerging technologies to identify opportunities for innovation and risk mitigation within the academic context.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, academic departments, and professional services to support transformation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with sector-specific regulations including data protection, research governance, and IT policy frameworks.
• Build and mentor a high-performing architecture team, fostering innovation and excellence in a collegiate environment.
• Provide subject matter expertise on architecture frameworks (e.g. TOGAF), tools, and methodologies.
• Embed architecture into early-stage planning and governance processes to ensure strategic alignment.

Experience Requirements:

• Proven leadership experience in enterprise or solution architecture within a higher education institution or similarly complex public sector environment.
• Strong track record in designing and delivering integrated, scalable solutions across diverse systems including student records, research platforms, and learning technologies.
• Deep understanding of architecture standards, governance, frameworks (e.g. TOGAF), and best practice.
• Broad technical knowledge across infrastructure, cloud, security, applications, and data.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, particularly with academic and executive audiences.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance long-term vision with delivery realities in a dynamic institutional setting.
• Demonstrable experience mentoring and developing architecture or technical teams.
• Experience driving digital and operational transformation in a higher education context.
• Familiarity with enterprise modelling tools, design principles, and architecture documentation.

Skills Required