Chief Architect

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. For 90 years we have shaped brighter futures through education, arts, culture, language, and creativity. Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. We connect. We inspire. Chief Architect Location: UK (London, Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff and colleagues on existing homeworking contracts in the UK), Noida (India), Warsaw or Kraków (Poland) Grade: LMFG | Pay Band 10 Department: Digital & Technology Contract: Indefinite (Permanent role) Shape the future of technology architecture at a global organisation The British Council is looking for an experienced and visionary Chief Architect to lead and evolve our global Architecture practice. Reporting to the Director of Engineering, this is a highly influential leadership role with responsibility for defining architectural direction across a complex international technology landscape. You will ensure that technology investments, platforms and capabilities are aligned to organisational strategy, enabling sustainable growth, innovation and measurable business outcomes. Leading a team of architecture professionals across multiple disciplines, including enterprise, solution, technical, security, data and business architecture; you will act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, helping to shape technology strategy, governance, roadmaps and investment decisions across the organisation. We are seeking a leader who combines strategic vision, stakeholder influence and people leadership with deep architectural expertise. While the role is primarily focused on leading the Architecture function and shaping organisational direction, you will also bring the technical credibility to provide expert architectural guidance and contribute to complex or business-critical architecture initiatives when required. What you'll be responsible for * Strategy & Vision: Translate complex business objectives into actionable, future focused digital and technology roadmaps. Own an evolving reference enterprise architecture, blueprints, enterprise-wide architecture strategy and multi-year digital and technology vision. * Governance & Standards: Establish enterprise-wide architecture standards guidelines, and frameworks to ensure coherence, consistency, interoperability, and security. Empower design authorities to ensure alignment between business priorities, product delivery and technology strategy. * Transformation & Simplification: Drive modernisation efforts, including application rationalisation, technology consolidation, cloud adoption, and lifecycle management. Support major transformation, optimisation, and digital initiatives. Champion architecture best practices, innovation and technology modernisation * Stakeholder Influence: Collaborate with executives, product teams, operations, and engineering leaders to guide technology investment decisions and prioritised strategic trade-offs. Build strong relationships with senior business and technology stakeholders across the organisation. Provide architectural leadership and guidance on complex, high-impact initiatives. * Leadership & Mentorship: Build, scale, and lead a high-performing team of domain and solution architects, fostering a culture of technical excellence, relevance and innovation. Establish and grow architecture communities of practice. Lead the global Architecture practice and evolve its operating model. Manage, develop and mentor a team of enterprise architecture professionals across multiple regions We're looking for someone with Essential * Strong business acumen and commercial awareness with proven ability to apply architectural principles practically to achieve measurable business outcomes and secure operational resilience. * Soft skills with exceptional relationships-building, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills. * Experience influencing senior stakeholders and driving strategic technology decisions * Extensive experience across architecture disciplines including enterprise, solution, application, infrastructure, cloud, data, AI, build vs re-use vs buy and/or security architecture * At least 10 years' experience within technology organisations, including significant architecture leadership experience. Experience in enterprise and solution architecture within complex, large-scale technology landscape. * A proven track record of leading architecture teams within large and complex environments * Strong technical depth with deep knowledge of cloud-native architectures, multi-cloud strategies, data platforms, AI/ML/LLM readiness, integration, Agile delivery and emerging trends * Demonstrated success delivering large-scale technology transformation programmes * Experience managing technology budgets and investment planning Desirable * Experience working within large, global organisations * Experience in the public, education, cultural or charitable sectors * TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification * Professional accreditation or chartership * Postgraduate qualification (MBA, Master's degree or equivalent) Why join us? This is a unique opportunity to shape the future technology landscape of a globally recognised organisation operating in more than 100 countries. You will influence strategic decisions at the highest levels, lead a talented architecture community, and play a critical role in enabling digital transformation across the British Council. If you are passionate about combining strategic leadership with architectural excellence and delivering meaningful impact at global scale, we would love to hear from you. Apply by: Sunday, 12th July, 23:59 (local time) Interview Window: To be confirmed Additional Information Candidates must have the legal right to live and work in the country where they are applying at the time of application. Please note that relocation assistance, mobility support and visa sponsorship are not available for this role. The British Council supports flexible and hybrid ways of working, subject to business requirements, local policies and line manager approval. Working arrangements can be discussed further during the recruitment process. A connected and trusted UK in a more connected and trusted world. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all sections of the community as we believe that a diverse workforce gives added depth to our work. The British Council is a Disability Confident Employer. The Disability Confident scheme helps challenge attitudes, increase understanding of disability and ensure staff are drawn from the widest possible pool of talent. We guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the minimum role requirements. We welcome discussions about specific requirements or adjustments to enable participation and engagement in our work and activities. Safeguarding Statement The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989. Appointment to positions where there is direct involvement with vulnerable groups will be dependent on thorough checks being completed in line with legal requirements and with the British Council’s Safeguarding policies for Adults and Children. If you experience any difficulties with submitting your application, please email askhr@britishcouncil.org