Enterprise Architect

Permanent, Full Time

Competitive Salary

Location: Chelmsford

Essex County Council has an ambitious programme of transformation to revolutionise the provision of IT use within the authority. In 2020 we quickly rolled out the latest cloud technology to support new ways of working during COVID, and continuing on that success, our ambition is to be infrastructure free by November 2022. We have an extensive cloud modernisation programme underway to deliver this through migration of services to Microsoft Azure.

We are seeking an experienced Enterprise Architect who will be responsible for the development and maintenance of the Technical Reference Architecture which forms the basis of all technical development and delivery in support of the Councils business objectives and requirements ensuring alignment and adhering to the principles of simplification, sharing and re-use.

The role leads strategic collaboration with Senior Stakeholders in Directorates, Partner Organisations and Third-Party Suppliers to promote and continue to develop the ECC IT Strategy to exploit innovative products, services and solutions that deliver business and Citizen benefit.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

Lead the development of enterprise-wide architecture and processes which ensure that the strategic application of change is embedded in the management of the organisation.

Be accountable for ensuring that Corporate and Directorate specific business solutions are designed to align correctly to the Architectural Principles and Technical Reference Architecture to ensure standardisation, simplification, sharing and reuse.

Lead the delivery of technical innovation to the advantage of the Council by capturing and prioritising market and environmental trends, business strategies and objectives, and identifying the business benefits of alternative strategies ensuring alignment to the Enterprise Architecture.

Be responsible for providing expert advice and guidance to the Commercial Team to ensure Suppliers and procured products adhere to the Enterprise Architecture and principles of operation.

Lead assessment and approval of technical design to ensure architectural conformance which simplifies implementation and ensures effective service operation and reduces cost.

Effectively utilise digital technologies and innovation across the function.

Translate goals and plans into ways of working which comply with relevant legislation and statutory requirements and manages a level of appropriate risk.

Additional experience and qualifications:

Years of design and architecture experience with a preference on large Service Provider, Government or Enterprise environments.

Educated to Degree level or equivalent in experience in a relevant subject.

Evidence of continual professional development to keep pace with technical and business change that meet defined SFIA V7 competencies.

Must demonstrate a track record of leading and working within effective teams delivering Enterprise Business Solutions that have been proved successful in meeting complex business requirements and in enabling standardisation, simplification, sharing and re-use.

Accredited to TOGAF 9.2 (or similar industry standard frameworks) and must have demonstrable understanding and capability to employ supporting frameworks and methodologies including such as ArchiMate, BPMN, COBIT and IT4IT.

Able to demonstrate a clear understanding and capability to work within relevant ICT related standards including ITIL V3, ISO/IEC 38500, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 22301, ISO/IEC 20000, PRINCE2 and MSP.

Excellent written, verbal communication and presentational skills.

Excellent customer service skills.

Experience of developing systems in line with GDS and Cyber Security Group guidelines

What's in it for you

• Make an impact on the lives of residents in Essex.
• Be a part of a new forward-thinking Technology Services Team shaping the future of networking in Essex County Council and partners.
• Engage directly with customers, suppliers and stakeholders to design and deliver meaningful, measurable technology change.
• Play a key role in the successful migration of an Enterprise IT service into the cloud.
• An excellent benefits package https://www.workingforessex.com/benefits

Apply and next steps

Please ensure you upload an up to date CV and supporting statement when prompted. In order for us to gauge suitability and fit please include your salary aspirations for this role on your application.

This position will initially, in line with current government guidance be based from home, with an expectation of being home based for the foreseeable future. However, if / when government guidelines change the role may then revert to being office based, whilst retaining some flexible working options.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity is key to our success.

If you have any queries regarding this role, or require anything further, please email or call us on 0333 013 5888. Lines are open Monday to Friday 08:30 - 16.30.