Description

As Head of Architecture Services, you will lead the National Highways Architecture Services practice. This fast‑paced, brand‑new team works alongside specialist colleagues to improve how National Highways uses technology and data.

You will set policies and standards for all IT product services, develop technical competency and capability across the technology function, and line‑manage technical experts, building virtual delivery team capability. The role is flexibly based in the UK with hybrid working and occasional travel, most often to Birmingham.

Key duties include championing architecture at all levels, owning and evolving the Enterprise Architecture (EA) strategy and roadmaps, establishing and promoting architectural principles, policies and standards across multiple domains, governing technology decisions to ensure compliance with architectural guardrails, and acting as the authority for enterprise architecture throughout the organisation and supplier ecosystem.

National Highways manages and improves England’s motorways and major A roads, prioritising safety, customers and delivery while embodying the values of passion, integrity, safety, teamwork and ownership. The Digital Services Directorate is reshaping operations by delivering digital, data and technology services that provide real‑time information and integrate with emerging intelligent transport systems.

• Set IT product policies and standards across the organisation.
• Develop technical competency and capability within the technology function.
• Line‑manage technical experts and build virtual delivery team capabilities.
• Champion architecture and act as ambassador for architects at all levels.
• Own and evolve the Enterprise Architecture (EA) strategy and roadmaps.
• Establish and promote architectural principles, policies, and standards across domains.
• Govern technology decisions to ensure compliance with architectural guardrails.
• Provide enterprise architecture expertise, managing dependencies, risks and opportunities.
• Translate complex business challenges into effective architecture patterns.
• Shape technology strategy aligned with business needs, creating and refining standards and roadmaps.

Requirements

The ideal candidate has proven experience in a similar senior architecture role, deep technical and data expertise, strong leadership skills to develop and motivate diverse teams, and the ability to translate complex business challenges into effective architecture patterns. A solid understanding of technical governance, service assurance, and shaping technology strategy that aligns with business needs is essential.

All offers of employment are subject to pre‑employment checks, including right‑to‑work, references, DBS, social‑media screening, driving licence (if applicable), fit‑to‑work questionnaire and medical check, as well as qualifications or professional membership verification. The advertisement may close before its expiry date.

• Proven experience in a senior architecture leadership role with deep technical and data expertise.
• Strong leadership skills, capable of developing and motivating diverse teams.
• Solid understanding of technical governance and service assurance.

Benefits

External candidates will receive a starting salary at the lower end of the pay scale, with current employees appointed according to the established pay policy. The organisation is committed to diversity and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds.

Why join us? We foster a connected, inclusive culture where colleagues feel supported and can develop their careers. Safety, ownership, passion, teamwork and integrity are core behaviours. Hybrid work is encouraged, allowing up to 60 % of time remote, and flexible hours support a sustainable work approach.

Our total reward package includes a competitive salary with performance‑related bonus, up to 10 % employer pension contribution, 26‑31 days annual leave plus bank holidays, life assurance of four times salary, comprehensive health and wellbeing support, a cycle‑to‑work scheme, generous family‑friendly leave, discount platforms, financial wellbeing programmes and paid volunteer leave.

• Competitive salary (starting at lower end of pay scale) plus performance‑related bonus.
• Contributory pension with up to 10 % employer contribution.
• 26‑31 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service.
• Hybrid working up to 60 % remote and flexible hours.
• Life assurance of 4× salary and comprehensive health & wellbeing support.
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme and access to wellbeing app.
• Generous family‑friendly leave (enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental, adoption).
• Discounts platform, financial wellbeing programme, and paid volunteer leave.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance