Are you ready to be part of a dynamic forward-thinking team? Join us as a Senior Enterprise Architect leading the development and implementation of Enterprise Architecture across Defence systems.

You will lead the Enterprise Architecture initiatives supporting Defence systems, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and to inform critical decision-making. This will involve supporting delivery teams across the organisation, helping them adhere to agreed Enterprise Architecture principles and standards, and developing architecture models to represent ‘as is’ and ‘to be’ architectures. You will take a strategic approach to ensure that information and IT systems are secure, dependable, available, and compliant with departmental and legal requirements.

Strong leadership skills are essential for this role, as you will build and maintain relationships with key Defence business and technical stakeholders, you will hold a position of significant influence, requiring intellectual agility, strategic thinking, and a commitment to delivering Enterprise Architecture solutions that shape critical decisions.

You will also benefit from being part of a large community of IT architects and professionals, where best practices and innovative ideas are shared. We are focused on accelerating the design and delivery of equipment to the armed forces by adopting digital techniques, ensuring that the equipment we procure integrates seamlessly with existing platforms within the UK Armed Forces, across NATO, and with allies and industry partners.

To drive our strategic approach, we have established three Capability Centres, each with a unique focus on developing transformative digital capabilities. These centres play a vital role in maintaining our strategic edge over adversaries through collaboration and innovation. They also provide excellent opportunities to work with and influence senior management within DE&S and the broader Defence Enterprise, fostering new ways of working and embracing cutting-edge technologies.

We hope you will join us in shaping these approaches and leveraging new technologies, analysis methods, and innovative practices to equip the UK armed forces with the capabilities needed to protect our nation.

We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be approximately 60% of your working week / 3 days) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

Due to the security requirements, this position is open to sole UK nationals only.

 What you’ll be doing

• Ensuring alignment and compliance between business strategies, enterprise transformation initiatives, and technical directions to meet organisational objectives and realise intended benefits
• Leading a team of Enterprise Architects and systems engineers on large-scale projects to deliver high-quality outcomes that align with business needs and adhere to required standards
• Establishing and defining Enterprise Architecture standards, policies, and information exchange frameworks to support the organisation effectively
• Collaborating closely with Business Analysts to provide Enterprise Architecture guidance and direction, supporting solution design, and driving business change
• Offering expert advice and strategic guidance to support the delivery of the IT Strategy, ensuring it remains aligned with overarching business strategies
• Building strong networks and maintaining effective communication with stakeholders across the enterprise, while identifying and pursuing opportunities for continuous improvement

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Experience of enterprise architecture modelling using ArchiMate
• Evidence of leading the design and implementation of IT Solutions, Architecture and Design
• TOGAF Practitioner certification or evidence of working towards it

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Seeing the big picture – CSBC 4
• Core Behaviour 2: Communicating and influencing CSBC 3 

• Technical Competence 1: Strategy, Architecture and Solution Design – Expert
• Technical Competence 2: Development and Implementation – Practitioner

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £64,700, Ministry of Defence contributes £18,743 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading employer pension contribution of around 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded professional qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So, whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences, and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice which can be accessed here. 

Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.

Conflicts of Interest:

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories (CV Review) listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. 

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the relative importance of the assessed competencies as per the hierarchy below:

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1
• 2nd: Core Behaviour 1
• 3rd: Technical Competencies
• 4th: CV Review

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise an additional assessment.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints – Civil Service Commission