Deputy Director - IT Architecture & Standards

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We are immersed in an exciting period of change. At the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) our work ranges from supporting the UK's world-leading food, farming and fishing industries to protecting the environment and providing robust defences against natural threats. Leaving the EU will fundamentally transform the work we do and how we deliver it. We are embracing this opportunity to become even more efficient, focused and innovative. Join us, and you will be at the heart of this change  ?  helping us to secure a more sustainable future for the UK.

Providing strong and visible leadership for the Architecture profession across Defra, you will oversee Enterprise Architecture, Applications Architecture and Infrastructure Architecture functions, working with colleagues across government to develop and share common principles, standards and approaches. With management accountability for over 80 permanent and contract staff, as well as a number of technical suppliers, you will make judgements about IT architectures that will influence major spending and have lasting influence over the department's direction.  This includes fostering relationships with senior leaders in our most critical suppliers to share strategies and roadmaps and ensure that our organisations' architectural strategies are aligned.

This is a leadership role blending both management capability and technical capability. Significant experience of managing senior architects in a variety of complex business contexts is essential.  This should include building technical functions from scratch, merging existing functions, managing technical functions in a federated business environment, and turning around failing technical teams.  A confident leader, capable of building a strong network of collaborative relationships at senior levels, you'll be ready to operate with a high level of autonomy.

Everyone in Defra is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. You will have access to learning and development from quality providers and support from mentors and coaches. We offer flexible working alongside a range of other policies and schemes to support your physical and emotional wellbeing. Our comprehensive benefits offer includes generous annual leave, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, volunteering days, childcare vouchers and other salary sacrifice options, and an employee discount scheme.

To find out more and to apply, please click the APPLY button.

Closing date: 28 July 2019