Interim Head of Architecture

Sword Group

. Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to the Architecture function .

Posted 10/6/2026contractGlasgow • United KingdomLeadWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading architecture functions, developing enterprise architecture strategies, and ensuring alignment with governance standards. Proven ability to communicate complex architectural concepts to diverse stakeholders and manage relationships across technology and business domains.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Enterprise ArchitectureSolution ArchitectureArchitecture GovernanceStakeholder ManagementArchitecture Principles

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Architecture StrategiesRoadmaps DevelopmentDesign AssuranceTechnical Decision-MakingCapability ModelsTarget-State ArchitecturesArchitecture StandardsIntegrationCloud ArchitectureSecurity Architecture

Soft Skills

LeadershipCommunicationFacilitationRelationship-BuildingInfluencing

Tools & Technologies

Architecture FrameworksTOGAFOperational Technology

Industry Keywords

Utilities IndustryAsset-Intensive OrganisationInfrastructure DeliveryDigitalisation ProgrammesSafety-Critical Environments

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cloud

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to the Architecture function
Act as the effective interim Head of Architecture
Work 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 priorities across architecture assurance, strategic development and project support
Provide technical leadership and informed challenge across IT, OT and digital initiatives
Support transition to a permanent Architecture leadership structure and facilitate handover
Develop and mature enterprise architecture strategies, roadmaps, capability models and architectural collateral
Review the architecture repository and identify gaps, inconsistencies and improvement priorities
Ensure architecture outputs are practical, usable and aligned with organisational and programme objectives
Translate business strategy and investment priorities into architectural direction and guardrails
Support target-state architectures and transition roadmaps across business and technology domains
Lead architecture assurance of project, programme, vendor and partner solutions
Establish and maintain architectural guardrails, principles and decision-making processes
Ensure proposed solutions follow architecture standards and governance requirements
Challenge projects, programmes and suppliers where designs do not align with strategic direction or standards
Work with project and programme teams to resolve architecture risks, gaps and dependencies
Ensure alignment with SSE Group architecture processes, standards and governance mechanisms
Support architecture forums, design reviews and decision-making bodies
Build relationships with senior stakeholders across technology, operations, transformation and capital delivery
Communicate complex architectural issues to technical and non-technical audiences
Collaborate with IT, OT, Engineering, Data, Analytics, Automation and AI stakeholders
Represent the Architecture function in high-level technology and project discussions
Provide recommendations and escalate significant architecture risks or decisions

Requirements

What you’ll need

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 within utilities industry
Desirable: Experience in an asset-intensive organisation such as utilities, transport, infrastructure, engineering, manufacturing or oil and gas
Desirable: Experience of Operational Technology environments and the relationship between IT and OT
Desirable: Understanding of architecture considerations within safety-critical or regulated operational environments
Desirable: Experience supporting major capital investment or infrastructure delivery programmes
Desirable: Familiarity with architecture frameworks and methods such as TOGAF
Desirable: Experience working within a federated architecture model involving Group-level and business-unit architecture functions

Benefits

Comp & perks

Personalised career development plan customised to individual goals and aspirations
Learning and development opportunities
Flexible work arrangements
Generous annual leave allowance
Enhanced family friendly benefits
Pension scheme
Access to private health schemes
Well-being schemes
Insurance schemes
Employee assistance programme
Discounted cash plan
Equal opportunities and inclusive workplace
Support for reasonable adjustments during the hiring process