This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UKs leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
Role Description
DIGI2AL is a founder and employee-owned defence-focused digital services consultancy. A vendor-agnostic UK Crown Commercial Services accredited supplier, we have delivered over 120 cloud-hosted digital services across the public sector, working in partnership with clients to research and develop outcomes and services spanning artificial intelligence, data science, low code and complex code software engineering, cyber security, cloud engineering, and user-centred design.
DIGI2AL seeks an experienced Enterprise Architect / Head of Technology / Principal architect who will initially take on responsibility for the tech roadmap in the Royal Navy (RN)s Data and Navy Applications software house. This is a large scale, multi-year delivery programme building solutions for thousands of uniformed personnel and crown servants.
The successful candidate will probably already be running multiple teams in a complex ecosystem, aspiring towards a CTO type role. They will have experience in through-life delivery, supporting clients with complex and low-code, data and cyber security. Knowledge of the relevant SaaS platforms (Palantir Foundry, Microsoft Power Platform) and modern development ecosystems is essential, with understanding in Python, TypeScript, React, and Database technologies running on DevOps platforms (including Docker / Kubernetes, GitHub Actions, and Tekton). Experience with Defences digital transformation would be an advantage.
The Head of Technology in Navy Digitals DNA organisation is accountable for ensuring that the organisations technology landscape is strategically aligned with RN digital objectives, wider MoD priorities, and enterprise architecture principles. This role provides technical direction, governance, and assurance, ensuring that digital products and services are delivered to robust standards of security, scalability, and maintainability. The role focuses on enabling delivery of digital products and services for the RN by championing agile methodologies, implementing best practices, establishing a robust and secure technical environment.
Experience and Skills
Technical planning and execution
* Own and drive the technical direction of DNA, ensuring that all technical initiatives align with wider RN and MoD strategy.
* Act as the primary authority on technical decisions, ensuring that solutions are architecturally sound, compliant, and fit for purpose.
* Provide technical leadership and oversight across multiple teams, ensuring that best practices, security standards, and governance frameworks are consistently applied.
* Enabling the execution of DNAs technical delivery, ensuring that initiatives are prioritised effectively, risks are managed, and teams are equipped to deliver high-quality solutions.
* Ensure that technical initiatives contribute to the long-term sustainability of DNAs technology landscape, reducing technical debt and optimising system maintainability.
* Influence organisational planning and investment decisions, ensuring that technology considerations are embedded within broader business discussions.
* Empower teams to make informed technical decisions, providing guidance and support as needed.
Through Life Service Enablement
* Lead the development and implementation of IT asset management processes and procedures, ensuring effective tracking, maintenance, and security of assets. Establish clear guidelines for IT asset management, ensuring compliance with relevant MoD policies and standards.
* Establish and enforce technical governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with MoD policies, security requirements, and enterprise architecture standards.
* Lead the long-term management of DNAs technology assets, ensuring that lifecycle planning, security, and maintainability are proactively managed.
* Own and drive the management of technical debt, ensuring a sustainable approach to system evolution and modernisation.
* Advocate for and secure the necessary resources, funding, and tools to support the effective delivery and operation of digital products and services.
* Embed continuous improvement principles within the technical landscape, ensuring that technical decisions support long-term agility and efficiency. Drive the adoption of best practices and standards that promote long-term sustainability and efficiency.
Technical governance and assurance
* Implement and maintain technical governance processes to ensure compliance with relevant standards, regulations, security requirements, and the enterprise architecture.
* Establish and oversee technical assurance frameworks, ensuring that digital solutions meet security, quality, performance, and compliance requirements.
* Ensure that architectural decisions and technical designs align with MoD and RN enterprise architecture principles.
* Own and manage technical risks, proactively identifying and mitigating issues that could impact service delivery or compliance.
* Ensure that all technology-driven change is managed in a controlled and transparent manner, balancing innovation with stability and risk management.
* Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of technical processes and practices, identifying areas for improvement. Provide accountability for technical decision-making, ensuring that technology investments deliver measurable business value.
Technical advisory, and best practice enablement
* Shape and influence the adoption of modern development practices, tools, and technologies to enhance efficiency, quality, and innovation. Lead the adoption of modern engineering practices, development methodologies, and operational best practices to improve efficiency, resilience, and scalability.
* Ensure that technical leaders across DNA are supported, mentored, and empowered to execute their roles effectively.
* Champion cross-functional collaboration, ensuring that teams work seamlessly across engineering, architecture, security, and operations.
* Drive the adoption of standardised tooling, automation, and architectural patterns to improve delivery efficiency and long-term maintainability.
* Provide technology advice to DNA Exec and external stakeholders.
* Foster a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging teams to experiment, learn, and adapt.
Stakeholder management
* Act as the key technical representative for DNA, influencing senior stakeholders across the RN and MoD and building strong relationships with key partners and stakeholders across the RN and MoD.
* Communicate technical plans, priorities, and risks effectively to non-technical stakeholders, senior executives, and governance bodies. Provide regular updates on technical progress, decisions, and challenges.
* Collaborate with business leaders to translate strategic objectives into actionable technical plans, ensuring alignment between business and technology.
* Build strong relationships with external technology partners, defence contractors, and suppliers, ensuring that third-party engagements align with DNAs technical direction.
* Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand their needs and translate them into technical and architectural requirements.
Top 3 qualities needed for this role
1. MoD experience
2. Communication and collaboration skills
3. Technical leadership
SFIA Level 5-6
Hybrid role working in Portsmouth (2-3 days per week) and from home with some travel to the London office.
At Digi2al, we are dedicated to supporting the well-being of our employees through a comprehensive benefits package. This document provides an overview of the key benefits available to you, including healthcare, financial support, and professional development opportunities.
* 25 days holiday increasing annually up to a maximum of 30 days
* Support for flexible working
* 2 paid charity days a year
* Competitive salary
* 16 weeks of full pay Maternity leave
* 2 weeks full pay Paternity leave
* Annual bonus - all employees are eligible (following successful completion of probationary period) - level varies by position and is dependent on company performance
* Discretionary bonus for exceptional performance
* 5% matched pension
* Healthcare
* Employee Ownership Trust - from day 1 employees share in the benefits of the company
* Support with your professional development including training and certifications and attendance at conferences
* Growth mindset - we believe everyone has the potential to grow so expect lots of opportunities to develop new skills
* Fun and supportive culture
* Diverse and interesting projects which give you an opportunity to make a difference
* Choice of laptop and screen
J-18808-Ljbffr