The Lead Architect plays a critical strategic and technical leadership role, responsible for designing and delivering secure, scalable, and innovative solution architectures that align with the University’s strategic objectives. Acting as the bridge between Enterprise and Solution Architecture, the role ensures technology initiatives support Learning & Teaching, Research, and Administration while maintaining a cohesive and future-ready technology ecosystem.
The position provides both strategic direction and operational oversight of solution architecture activities, delivering designs directly or guiding external architects through structured work packages. A strong focus of the role is evolving integration and cloud architecture, embedding governance, and driving modern, secure, and fit-for-purpose solutions.
The Lead Architect is instrumental in enabling digital transformation, fostering innovation, and ensuring all architectural outcomes align with institutional priorities, standards, and long-term vision.
Key Accountabilities
* Establish, enhance, and embed architecture governance frameworks, standards, and design principles to ensure consistent and compliant solution delivery across the University.
* Act as the principal architectural advisor, influencing technology strategy, major IT investments, and long-term roadmaps in alignment with institutional goals.
* Ensure solution architectures are secure, scalable, resilient, and aligned with enterprise, data, and application ecosystems.
* Oversee architecture artefact development, whether delivered directly or by external solution architects, ensuring quality, completeness, and compliance.
* Drive innovation and digital transformation by identifying and promoting the adoption of emerging technologies and modern architecture practices.
Qualifications & Experience
* Postgraduate qualifications in Information Technology or a related discipline, or equivalent extensive experience in senior architecture roles.
* Significant experience in Solution Architecture across enterprise systems, integration, data, technology platforms, and security domains.
* Demonstrated expertise in developing architecture designs across conceptual, logical, and physical layers, along with roadmaps and modern workplace technologies.
* Proven experience delivering scalable integration solutions and working within complex, multi-system enterprise environments.
* Strong background in cloud platforms, particularly Microsoft Azure, including security architecture, digital ecosystems, and vendor engagement.
* Experience in the higher education sector, in a similar position is highly desired.