Head Of Architecture Realisation

Head Of Architecture Realisation

CV Submission Deadline: WEDNESDAY 6TH AUGUST 12:00 PM

Location: LEEDS WARRINGTON, BIRCHWOOD AND BLACKPOOL TRAVELLING TO DIFFERENT LOCATIONS

Contract Length: 6 MONTHS WITH THE VIEW TO BE EXTENDED

Security Clearance Level Required: BPSS + DIS SCOTLAND

The Head of Technical Architecture will report to Director - DD for IT and Digital Coordination

• Have responsibility for, and a deep knowledge and understanding of, all aspects of technical architecture across the range of the DWP's digital services, driving consistent implementation and championing innovation and best practice
• Lead the building of a culture of continuous delivery and improvement, ensuring key systems are regularly analysed, maintained and improved]
• Act as the technical authority in meetings with other government departments, and oversee the evaluation technical proposals from external suppliers
• Identify key API requirements for integration with internal and external systems; break down technical requirements into appropriate pieces.
• Lead the rapid development of user-driven prototypes to identify technical options and inform architectural approaches.
• Lead the thorough testing of new and updated platforms, products and transactions for performance, ability to handle the required load and for long term viability.
• Remain active as a hands on practitioner in your area of capability
• Deliver digital services that meet the Digital by Default Service Standard before they are launched on GOV.UK
• Clarify and articulate the diverse requirements of users and delivery partners to support effective delivery of a service
• Provide hands-on technical leadership that is visible at all levels in DWP
• Act as a strong advocate for digital solutions and approaches across the department
• Work across government to ensure consistent strategic direction for Technical Architecture in DWP and set this future vision for all levels of the organisation
• Set a high technical standard in Technical Architecture across the department
• Ensure compliance with the standards and framework for Technical Architecture
• With fellow digital 'Heads of', build cross-discipline thinking and evolution of knowledge within DWP
• Act as a DWP spokesperson, taking the lead in their area at high-profile events to spread and evolve DWP's area knowledge
• Actively network in the public and private sector to share best practice

As Head of Technical Architecture you will be responsible for the following:

• Develop strategic DWP-wide solutions
• Forward planning to keep up with industry best-practice
• Bring the community together, provide a focus for evolving best practice within DWP
• Workforce planning to ensure the team has the appropriate technical capacity and capability
• Building technical capability for own technical area and, by partnering key stakeholders, build technical awareness across DWP
• Assisting in the recruitment of new in-house digital and other technical skills and capabilities
• Own the detail of the relevant Job Descriptions and Team Structures for roles within your area
• Deep knowledge of modern front end web programming techniques, such as HTML5, CSS3, AJAX, REST, JSON
• Experience of designing and implementing scalable and robust approaches to caching, security and databases (including, for example, MySQL, PostgreSQL and 'NoSQL', e.g. Cassandra, MongoDB)
• Experience of working with Agile methodologies
• Knowledge of and interest in emerging trends and technologies
• Experience of the development and use of web-based (and particularly REST-based) APIs
• Experience of using architecture management technologies and methodologies (e.g. TOGAF, CoBIT, CMMI)
• Comprehensive experience of leading the design and implementation of complex, large scale systems and enterprise architecture.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a high-skilled technical team
• Experience of dealing with large-scale corporate projects
• Demonstrable and practical experience at a senior level, in the public or private sector, of delivering transformational change to business technologies, processes and high-volume systems, to deliver both cost savings and service improvements to customers
• Experience of working within complex organisations to develop digital and technology transformation strategies and manage the delivery of associated technical services solutions, while balancing tight resource constraints, conflicting priorities and a dynamic programme
• Ability to manage and influence a range of stakeholders, both internally and externally, and to prepare clear, compelling technical and non-technical advice on complex issues
• Awareness and understanding of Data protection law and regulations, and industry standard security issues and processes