Lead Enterprise Architect - £800p/d Outside IR35 - Hybrid working (Expenses covered for travel & accom) The Lead Enterprise Architect is a pivotal role responsible for aligning the organisation's technology strategy with its business objectives. The role focuses on enabling growth, optimising IT costs, and mitigating risks by delivering a robust architectural framework and driving value-based technology strategies. The Lead Enterprise Architect will lead efforts to evaluate, plan, and implement both current and emerging technologies that support the organisation's transformation and operational excellence. By collaborating with stakeholders, the Lead will provide insight and guidance to support informed decision-making on technology investments, ensuring alignment with strategic goals. In addition to strategic guidance, the Lead will establish and mature the architecture team's capabilities, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. This role requires a strategic thinker and influencer who can engage with cross-functional teams, external partners, and senior leadership to prioritise and deliver impactful technology solutions. Key Responsibilities Leadership & Team Development: Lead and mentor the architecture team, spanning key domains: Information, Integration, Solutions (Applications), Security, Infrastructure, and Networks. Develop and implement a Centre of Excellence to build the team's expertise and align capabilities with strategic priorities. Strategic Architecture Delivery: Own and oversee the design, governance, and adoption of enterprise architecture elements across the organisation. Drive the development of target architecture frameworks and roadmaps, ensuring scalability, security, and alignment with organisational objectives. Stakeholder Collaboration: Align internal and external stakeholders to ensure synergies and technology optimisation across the organisation. Support the realisation of benefits from new and enhanced technology solutions. Knowledge & Innovation: Maintain detailed documentation of the IT landscape to ensure a knowledge-rich environment. Identify opportunities and barriers in technology strategy and delivery, keeping innovation at the forefront of planning and execution. Enterprise Architecture Focus Areas: Business Architecture: Supporting people, processes, and organisational change. Information Architecture: Ensuring consistent sharing and governance of enterprise data. Integration Architecture: Delivering scalable, service-oriented solutions. Solutions & Applications Architecture: Managing and evolving the application portfolio. Technical Architecture: Driving advancements in technical infrastructure. Security Architecture: Managing IT risk and ensuring secure information exchange. Governance & Assurance: Ensuring alignment with strategy, principles, and governance frameworks. Required Competencies: Deep knowledge of enterprise and domain architecture, including Information, Integration, and Applications. Strong understanding of IT delivery methodologies, cost-benefit analysis, and risk management. Expertise in ERP/CRM platforms, Microsoft O365, Dynamics, and Azure technologies. Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to bridge technical and non-technical audiences. Proficiency in enterprise tools, frameworks, and approaches (e.g., SOA, microservices, predictive analytics, Agile/Lean, ITIL).