Job Description

Location - Bristol
Employment Type - Full Time - Permanent
Salary - Competitive Package
Hours Per Week - 37.5

This role can be based at any of our locations - Bristol, London or Newcastle

The Enterprise Architect & Head of Engineering will ensure SBG's Technology Strategy aligns with business goals, enabling agility, efficiency and innovation at scale. This dual-role combines long-term technology vision with day-to-day engineering leadership. This role will define and govern architectural standards, principles and frameworks to guide technology decisions across the group.

Key Responsibilities:

Define, maintain, and evolve the enterprise architecture strategy, standards, and frameworks. Align architectural initiatives with business goals, balancing innovation with risk and compliance. Owns architecture blueprints and roadmaps for applications and integrations. Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies and tools to improve scalability, performance, and security. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure architectural consistency across products and services. Lead and mentor engineering teams across multiple domains. Drive agile development practices and foster a culture of quality, innovation, and accountability. Own engineering execution, delivery timelines, resource planning, and budget oversight. Establish and monitor key engineering metrics including code quality, velocity, and availability. Partner with Product, Data, Security, and Operations to deliver high-impact technology solutions. Manage relationships with key suppliers.

Required Skills/Experience:

Strong leadership and management skills. Extensive technical experience in architecture and engineering. Knowledge of frameworks such as TOGAF, Zachman, etc. 10+ years of experience in software engineering, with at least 5 in architecture leadership roles. Proven track record of leading large-scale architecture initiatives and high-performing engineering teams. Beneficial certifications: TOGAF, Azure Certified Solutions Architect or equivalent. Deep understanding of cloud platforms (e.g.Azure) microservices, and modern DevOps. Proficiency in system design, data modelling, API strategy, and integration patterns. Familiarity with security, compliance, and regulatory environments. Strong knowledge of regulatory and legislative controls operating in a GI framework, including FCA, PRA, FOS, DPA. Certification Function / Senior Manager responsibility: prior experience in leading a Certification Function or holding Senior Manager responsibility under the regulatory SM&CR regime is beneficial. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Capability to work with cross-functional teams and manage relationships with key suppliers. Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.

Our Benefits:

Hybrid working - 2 days in the office and 3 days working from home 25 days annual leave, rising to 27 days over 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service. Plus bank holidays! Discretionary annual bonus Pension scheme - 5% employee, 6% employer Flexible working - we will always consider applications for those who require less than the advertised hours Flexi-time Healthcare Cash Plan - claim cashback on a variety of everyday healthcare costs Electric vehicle - salary sacrifice scheme 100's of exclusive retailer discounts Professional wellbeing, health & fitness app - Wrkit Enhanced parental leave, including time off for IVF appointments Religious bank holidays - if you don't celebrate Christmas and Easter, you can use these annual leave days on other occasions throughout the year. Life Assurance - 4 times your salary 25% Car Insurance Discount 20% Travel Insurance Discount Cycle to Work Scheme Employee Referral Scheme Community support day Christmas and Summer parties

Working at SBG

At Somerset Bridge Group we aim to build a sustainable and innovative business focused on underwriting, broking and claims handling of UK motor insurance, offering transparent products and an efficient and fair service to our policy holders.


We are very proud to have been awarded a Silver Accreditation from Investors in People! We recognise that all of our people contribute to our success. That's why we are always looking for talented people to join our team - people who share our vision, who are passionate about what they do, and who want to be part of something special.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Somerset Bridge Group is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic factors or other characteristics protected by law. SBG makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, skills and business requirements.