Technical Architect

Technical Architect
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday, 22nd September 2025
Location: Manchester, M2 3AW
Salary: £67,987 - £80,556 + benefits

We lead the Government's work on the future governance of football. At present, there is a Shadow Football Regulator made up of circa 50 members of staff, led by an interim Chief Operating Officer. This team will transfer out of DCMS to be the Independent Football Regulator in 2025, no earlier than October.

The team is currently undertaking a range of activities in preparation for the establishment of the IFR, which was created when the Football Governance Act became law in July.

While this role is being advertised through DCMS, it will be based in the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) and will not start until the IFR has been fully established as an independent body i.e. no earlier than October.

You will be employed on the terms and conditions of the Independent Football Regulator.

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead the delivery of architectural strategy aligned to organisational and regulatory objectives
• Set and embed architectural principles, standards and patterns to guide solution design across teams
• Provide strategic technical leadership across programmes and portfolios, influencing senior stakeholders
• Design and assure complex, end-to-end solutions that are scalable, secure, and meet user needs
• Lead architectural governance and ensure compliance with digital, data and technology and GDS standards
• Collaborate with policy, product, delivery and data leaders to align technology with business outcomes
• Explore and promote the adoption of emerging technologies to drive innovation and service improvement
• Communicate complex technical ideas clearly to technical and non-technical audiences, including senior leadership

Person specification

Essential Requirements

• Ability to translate complex business and regulatory requirements into scalable, secure, and sustainable technical architectures that support digital, data and technology objectives
• Strong proficiency in designing and documenting technical solutions, including data models, system architectures, and integration patterns ideally using Microsoft Azure, Power Platform, and related technologies
• Proven experience leading and mentoring development teams, ensuring alignment with architectural principles and technical best practice
• Skilled in identifying and resolving complex technical challenges, applying modern and emerging technologies to improve service delivery and resilience
• Ability to explain technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior leaders
• Demonstrable experience influencing strategic technical decisions across programmes or portfolios in a public sector or regulated environment

Desirable Skills

• Experience working with government digital and data standards (e.g. GDS Service Standard, Technology Code of Practice)
• Familiarity with security and data protection principles in the context of public sector architecture
• Relevant qualifications (e.g. TOGAF, Azure Solutions Architect, BCS Certified Architect, or equivalent experience)

Benefits

Please note that this role is due to start when the Independent Football Regulator is fully operational, not before October 2025, all pre employment checks must be carried out in advance of a start date being agreed upon.

The terms and conditions of employment include:

• Pension 12% An employee contribution of 5%, with an employer contribution of 7%
• Flexible Benefit 8% Employees can choose to invest 8% of their base salary into their pension, or take as cash (post tax)
• Reward we will have a performance based reward programme
• 31.5 days annual leave
• Flexible and hybrid working, 40% in office attendance
• Occupational sick pay
• 9 months paid Maternity Leave + generous paternity and adoption leave
• A bespoke L&D programme to help you achieve your personal CPD, including paid membership fees
• Cycle-to-work scheme and much more!

How To Apply

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