Interim Director Enterprise Architecture

Interim ( contact ) Head of IT & Technical Design Authority (TDA) Defence Programme | High Security Environment | UK

Some technology roles manage systems. This one owns them. We’re supporting the search for a Head of IT & Technical Design Authority to lead the end-to-end digital architecture for a major tri-service Armed Forces recruitment programme valued at £1bn+.

This is a senior leadership role operating at the heart of a complex defence ecosystem, working directly with MOD, single services, Cabinet Office stakeholders and multiple consortium partners. You will be the accountable design authority for the full technology estate, ensuring architecture, security, performance and delivery standards are met across a highly regulated, high-security environment. This is not an operations or infrastructure management role. It is enterprise architecture, systems integration and governance at scale.

• Key responsibilities

• Own the enterprise architecture, technical design and long-term digital roadmap
• Act as the named Technical Design Authority across the full solution lifecycle
• Lead architectural, security and technology decisions across all systems
• Oversee delivery and integration across 30+ suppliers and partners
• Ensure solutions meet functional, non-functional, performance and security requirements
• Provide strategic leadership across multi-party delivery teams
• Lead service resilience, risk management and incident response
• Engage directly with MOD, Cabinet Office and senior defence stakeholders
• Represent technology strategy at governance boards and programme leadership forums

What we’re looking for

• Proven experience as a Technical Design Authority, Chief Architect, or senior technology leader
• Strong enterprise architecture and systems integration background
• Experience delivering large, complex government or defence programmes
• Comfortable operating in high security / Official Sensitive environments
• Track record managing multiple suppliers and contractual delivery
• Experience working at senior stakeholder or board level
• Strong commercial awareness and governance capability
• Able to balance Agile digital delivery with structured/waterfall programmes

Ideal background

• Experience from organisations such as defence primes, systems integrators, central government or major outsourcing/managed service environments.

Clearance

• Eligibility for UK security clearance is essential.

If you’ve operated at this level before, you’ll recognise the accountability this role carries. Message me directly for a confidential conversation.