Enterprise Solutions Architect - Initial 6 month Contract

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving real transformational 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.

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced Enterprise Solutions Architect to join us on an initial 6-month PAYE contract and take on a key architectural leadership role within a high-profile energy programme. You'll be stepping into an interim position to guide architectural direction across a number of business-critical initiatives. This includes reviewing and refining solution artefacts, influencing technical design decisions, and working closely with a range of internal and external stakeholders. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategic thinking and hands-on delivery, bringing deep technical insight and the ability to drive consensus in a complex, fast-moving environment.

As a Solutions Architect, you will:

• Define and deliver end-to-end enterprise solutions across multiple projects, ensuring strategic alignment with business and technical goals
• Lead and influence internal and external solution architects, promoting structured approaches (e.g., TOGAF) while working with stakeholders who may prefer less formal delivery methods
• Balance high-level strategy with low-level design, contributing to both vision and execution
• Support and review architecture artefacts in readiness for the T3 regulatory submission period
• Work across security, operational technology (OT), and cloud infrastructure domains, enhancing resilience and scalability
• Assist in procurement activities, including specifying architecture requirements and evaluating supplier solutions
• Contribute to the development of technology roadmaps, balancing current delivery with long-term planning

Requirements

Proven experience in enterprise and solution architecture, particularly in regulated or infrastructure-heavy environments

Experience leading or mentoring solution architects or guiding architectural direction across programmes

A solid understanding of OT environments including SCADA systems, embedded controls, and remote operational sites

Familiarity with cloud platforms (Azure or AWS), hybrid hosting, and networking principles

Strong grasp of architecture frameworks (TOGAF preferred) and delivery approaches (Agile and Waterfall)

Excellent stakeholder engagement, collaboration, and communication skills

Additional experience in one or more of the following areas would be advantageous:

• Identity & Access Management (IDAM) and SIEM
• Security controls and compliance with NIS regulations
• Remote access, software-defined networking, and hyper-converged infrastructure
• Public sector or utilities industry knowledge

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.