Interim Head of Architecture

Employment type: Contract. Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving real transformation change within our clients. We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data and business applications. We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals. The successful candidate will act as the effective interim Head of Architecture providing direction to the Architecture team, strengthen governance and assurance, and ensure that technology and solution decisions align with organisational strategy, standards and the wider client's architecture processes. This is a senior, influential role requiring extensive Enterprise Architecture experience, strong technical breadth and the ability to build trusted relationships with executives, programme leaders, technology teams and third-party suppliers. Key Responsibilities Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to the Architecture function. Act as the effective interim Head of Architecture, working closely with the senior leader responsible for Architecture, Data, Analytics, Automation, AI and Engineering. Support and coordinate a team of Enterprise and Solution Architects. Establish clear priorities across architecture assurance, strategic development and project support. Provide technical leadership and informed challenge across IT, OT and digital initiatives. Support the transition to a permanent Architecture leadership structure and facilitate an effective handover when permanent staff are appointed. Develop and mature enterprise architecture strategies, roadmaps, capability models and associated architectural collateral. Review the existing architecture repository and identify material gaps, inconsistencies and improvement priorities. Ensure architecture outputs remain practical, usable and aligned to organisational and programme objectives. Translate business strategy and investment priorities into clear architectural direction and guardrails. Support the development of target-state architectures and transition roadmaps across relevant business and technology domains. Lead the architecture assurance of project, programme, vendor and partner solutions. Establish and maintain appropriate architectural guardrails, principles and decision-making processes. Ensure proposed solutions follow agreed architecture standards and governance requirements. Provide constructive challenge to projects, programmes and suppliers where designs do not align with strategic direction or required standards. Work with project and programme teams to resolve architecture risks, gaps and dependencies. Ensure alignment with wider SSE Group architecture processes, standards and governance mechanisms. Support architecture forums, design reviews and decision-making bodies as required. Build trusted relationships with senior stakeholders across technology, operations, transformation and capital delivery. Communicate complex architectural issues clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. Work collaboratively with IT, OT, Engineering, Data, Analytics, Automation and AI stakeholders. Represent the Architecture function in high-level technology and project discussions. Provide clear recommendations and escalate significant architecture risks or decisions where appropriate. Requirements Previous experience leading or managing an Architecture function, team or significant architecture workstream. Experience performing responsibilities comparable to a Head of Architecture, Chief Architect or Lead Enterprise Architect. Strong understanding of both Enterprise Architecture and Solution Architecture. Broad technical knowledge across applications, infrastructure, cloud, integration, data, security and operational environments. Significant experience of architecture governance, design assurance and technical decision-making. Experience establishing or applying architecture principles, standards, guardrails and review processes. Experience assuring solutions produced by projects, suppliers and external delivery partners. Experience developing architecture strategies, roadmaps, capability models and target-state architectures. Strong stakeholder management skills, including experience influencing senior business and technology leaders. Excellent communication, facilitation and relationship-building skills. Ability to provide leadership and structure in an evolving environment with changing priorities. Experience supporting significant transformation or digitalisation programmes. Desirable Experience Experience within utilities industry Experience in an asset-intensive organisation such as utilities, transport, infrastructure, engineering, manufacturing or oil and gas. Experience of Operational Technology environments and the relationship between IT and OT. Understanding of architecture considerations within safety-critical or regulated operational environments. Experience supporting major capital investment or infrastructure delivery programmes. Familiarity with architecture frameworks and methods such as TOGAF. Experience working within a federated architecture model involving Group-level and business-unit architecture functions. Benefits At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a Competitive Salary , here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package: Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth. Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance. We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can. A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes, an employee assistance programme, discounted cash plan and more….. At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us. If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.