Lead Technical Architect

Are you ready to shape the architecture that powers the future of DWP's Corporate Centre?

As a Lead Technical Architect, you'll join DWP Digital's Corporate Centre Services (CCS) leadership team, helping to define the technology, data and architecture strategy that supports critical functions including People & Place, Finance, Estates and Policy. This is a rare opportunity to influence architecture at enterprise scale while helping thousands of colleagues deliver better outcomes for millions of citizens across the UK.

Working directly with our senior leaders, you'll provide technical leadership across a diverse portfolio of digital transformation programmes including major ERP implementations, estates transformation and the modernisation of legacy technology. You'll ensure services are secure, scalable, integrated and built around user needs while championing architectural excellence across teams.

This is a role for an experienced architecture leader who enjoys solving complex challenges, influencing strategic decisions and creating a long-term technology vision. Your work will help DWP deliver more efficient services, utilise data more effectively and build stronger foundations for future innovation.

The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We'd love you to join us.

What skills, knowledge and experience will you need? 

• Experience designing technical architectures across cloud, SaaS, on-premise and hybrid environments.
• Ability to create end-to-end solutions that bring together networking, security, integration, databases and user-facing services.
• Strong understanding of architecture principles, patterns, standards and best practices, and how to apply them to guide technical decisions.
• Experience working with delivery teams throughout the full service lifecycle, from initial concept and design through to implementation and live service.
• Ability to translate business needs into clear technical solutions and communicate design decisions to a range of stakeholders.
• Experience using architecture modelling techniques and tools to create and communicate architectural designs.
• Experience providing technical leadership across multiple projects, including mentoring architects and evaluating technologies, suppliers or platforms.

You and your role

As our Lead Technical Architect, you'll set the technical direction for a portfolio of services that support the running of one of the UK's largest government departments. Working across Corporate Centre Services, you'll shape the architecture behind critical business functions.

You'll lead the design and assurance of solutions that enable DWP to modernise legacy technology, make better use of data and deliver more joined-up digital services. From major transformation programmes to strategic platform decisions, you'll ensure solutions are secure, scalable and aligned to long-term business objectives.

Working closely with senior leaders, delivery teams, engineers, data specialists and suppliers, you'll provide architectural leadership across multiple initiatives. You'll guide technical decision-making, strengthen governance, mentor other architects and help teams balance user needs, risk, cost and technical quality.

This is a role with significant influence and visibility. You'll help define the future architecture vision for Corporate Centre Services, enabling better colleague experiences, more efficient operations and stronger digital capabilities that support DWP's wider transformation ambitions.

Details. Wages. Perks.

Location: You'll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Blackpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield, whichever is most convenient for you.

Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model - you'll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.

Pay: We offer pay up to £99,836. That's £75,026 salary plus a Government Digital and Data Allowance of up to £24,810 subject to our assessment of your capability at interview.

Pension: You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%, worth up to £16,786 per year.

Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time.

You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time. You'll also get all the usual public holidays.

We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies
• Time off volunteering and charitable giving
• Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
• Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
• Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it's even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
• Sports and social activities
• Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.

And we have an award-winning environment and culture:

• DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards
• Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards 2024
• Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025
• Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 Women In Tech Employer Awards

Process

We know your time is valuable so our application and selection process is just two stages:

Apply: complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There'll be full instructions when you click through.

Interview: a two stage interview online.

Click APPLY for more information and to start your application.