Lead Technical Architect - SC Cleared

Lead Technical Architect

6-Month contract – Inside IR35 – up to £675 per day

Hybrid working in London ideally, but will consider fully remote

Need to have current and active SC Clearance to be considered

Short summary

As a Lead Technical Architect, you will drive the design and implementation of LECN impacting enterprise-wide technical solutions that shape our future business capabilities. Leading cross-functional teams, you’ll ensure alignment with broader government strategies while guiding solutions around modern technologies like cloud, AI, IoT, blockchain, and more. With a focus on security, agility, and innovation, you’ll oversee multiple projects, mentor fellow architects, and collaborate with senior stakeholders. This is a pivotal role for an experienced leader passionate about delivering impactful solutions that support both user needs and organisational goals.

Job description

As a Lead Technical Architect, you will proactively shape and deliver infrastructure and technical solutions across multiple projects or teams. You will ensure solutions align with the wider enterprise architecture and strategic goals, leveraging modern technologies to drive innovative outcomes. Collaborating with a range of stakeholders, including senior leadership, cross-functional teams, and external partners. You will balance near-term delivery with long-term scalability, security, and maintainability.

You will define and evolve technical roadmaps, advise on strategic technology investments, and identify opportunities for continual improvement. Through clear, concise communication, you will secure buy-in for architectural initiatives and mentor junior architects to foster a high-performing architecture community. By evaluating emerging trends, incorporating lessons learned, and championing best practices, you will keep the technical estate flexible and future-proof, positioning the organisation for ongoing success.

Key Responsibilities :

• Support the Principal Technical Architect in defining and maintaining LECN and enterprise-wide technical impacting strategies, roadmaps, and architectures aligned with broader business objectives.
• Oversee design reviews, incorporating “Secure by Design” principles and compliance with architectural governance.
• Coordinate with cross-government teams and external partners to ensure cohesive, integrated solutions.
• Drive digital innovation by evaluating emerging technologies, embracing best practices, and championing continuous improvement.
• Mentor and coach architects, fostering a culture of collaboration and technical excellence.
• Facilitate the design and delivery of complex systems, ensuring performance, reliability, and security requirements are met.
• Lead multiple projects, collaborating with stakeholders to address risks, budgets, and timelines.
• Evaluate outcomes and integrate lessons learned into future strategies, enabling sustainable, long-term solutions.
• Directly support the Principal Technical Architect in the development of presentation packs to Technical Design Authorities and Security Boards and where necessary deputise for the Principal Technical Architect for these presentation packs
• Support the LECN Security Architect in Police Digital Service (PDS) compliance obtaining authority to proceed for LECN in-house hosting/migration of the SD-WAN service.

Other day to day activities

You will also be expected to carry out the following activities:

• Evaluate project success post-integration, identifying best practices and lessons learned.
• Share feedback with leadership, adopting continuous improvement for future integrations.
• Lead, coach, and mentor junior Technical Architects, driving professional development.
• Renovate and transform the existing technology estate by leveraging innovative approaches (e.g., cloud, AI, IoT, and more).

Skills and experience

Essential Skills:

You’ll have a visible passion for Network Engineering, with the following skills or strong experience in:

CCNP certification or demonstrable knowledge of the following:

• networking concepts, switching, routing, firewalling and load balancing using (CISCO) SD-WAN technologies and use of BGP (Boarder Gateway Protocol).
• Consistent track record of ability to lead complex technical architectures, championing innovation and best practices.
• Experience working across multiple domains or projects, coordinating with third-party suppliers and cross-government teams.
• Aptitude for anticipating future technologies and aligning solutions with broader strategies and business outcomes.
• Expertise in delivering secure, reliable, and scalable systems within defined time and quality constraints.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, translating complex technical topics for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring or guiding other architects or technical professionals.

Strategy & Architecture:

• Strategy and Planning
• Innovation (INOV) – Level 3
• Enterprise and Business Architecture (STPL) – Level 3
• Strategic Planning (ITSP) – Level 3
• Solution Architecture (ARCH) – Level 5
• Advice & Guidance
• Consultancy (CNSL) – Level 4
• Specialist Advice (TECH) – Level 4

Desirable skills

• Strong grasp of agile methodologies, DevOps principles, and design patterns, paired with enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF).
• Communicating clearly in accessible language, adapting to varied audiences and channels.
• Exposure to large-scale technology change programs or complex system integrations.

Qualifications

• It is desirable, but not essential, to have a BCS certificate in Enterprise and Solution Architecture or TOGAF Foundation Certified