Technical Design Authority

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, dedicated to driving transformational change for our clients. We leverage proven technology, specialist teams, and extensive domain expertise to create robust technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications. Our mission is fueled by a passion for technology as a means to solve complex business problems and achieve our clients' objectives.

About the role:

We have an opportunity for an experienced Technical Design Authority (TDA) to provide technical leadership across major strategic projects and digital transformation programmes within the Sword customer base.

The TDA will take ownership of the end-to-end technical integrity of complex, multi-workstream programmes, providing architectural direction, governance and design assurance across Networks, Security, Cloud, Infrastructure, EUC, Identity, Applications and, where applicable, Operational Technology (OT).

This is a senior customer-facing role requiring someone comfortable operating across C-level strategy, enterprise architecture and complex technical delivery, bringing together multiple architects, SMEs, vendors and delivery teams around a coherent target architecture.

Key Responsibilities

• This is a hybrid role and the successful candidate will be required to attend onsite customer visits when required.
• Provide programme-level technical leadership and architectural direction across complex transformation programmes.
• Establish and lead architecture governance, design assurance and Technical Design Authority.
• Ensure individual technology workstreams align to an agreed end-to-end architecture and customer strategy.
• Lead and challenge architects and SMEs across Networks, Security, Cloud, Infrastructure, EUC, Identity, Applications and OT.
• Identify and manage cross-workstream technical risks, dependencies, assumptions and architectural decisions.
• Review and assure HLDs, LLDs and key technical decisions throughout the programme lifecycle.
• Translate business and executive requirements into clear architecture principles, technical outcomes and transformation roadmaps.
• Maintain focus on security, resilience, operational readiness, supportability, monitoring, transition to BAU, cost and ownership.
• Work closely with Programme Directors/Managers to ensure technical dependencies, decisions and risks are understood within the wider programme.
• Build trusted relationships with senior customer stakeholders, including CIO, CTO, CISO and senior technology leadership.
• Support programmes from discovery and strategy through design, implementation, migration and operational handover.

Requirements

• Significant experience operating as a TDA, Enterprise Architect, Principal Architect, Programme Architect or equivalent senior architecture role.

• Strong architectural breadth across Networks, Security, Cloud, Infrastructure, EUC, Identity and Applications, with the ability to understand dependencies between domains.
• Proven experience leading architecture across large, complex, multi-workstream transformation programmes.
• Strong architecture governance, design assurance and technical risk management experience.
• Ability to lead and challenge multiple technical SMEs without needing to be the deepest specialist in every technology.
• Strong understanding of programme delivery, technical dependencies, migration, transition and operational readiness.
• Experience working within M&A, integration, separation or divestment programmes is highly desirable.
• Experience of OT, IT/OT convergence, Critical National Infrastructure or highly regulated environments would be advantageous.
• Excellent executive communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility and trust at C-level.
• Commercially aware, pragmatic and comfortable making or facilitating complex technical decisions.
• Able to translate complex technical subjects into clear business risks, options and recommendations.

Benefits

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life.  In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package: 

• Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth. 
• Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance.  We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can. 
• A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes.

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us. 

If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.