Role Overview
Hours: 35 Hours per week
Closing Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2026
As a Senior Technology Architecture Manager, you will lead the Platform Architecture (L3) capability within Technology Services, providing deep technical and design leadership across cloud, infrastructure, colleague technology, digital, data, core banking and integration platforms. You will ensure designs are secure, scalable, resilient and cost‑effective, while aligning closely to Enterprise Architecture (L1) direction and Solution Architecture (L2) end‑to‑end designs. This role partners closely with Platform Owners and Engineering leaders to uplift non‑functional excellence, codify architectural guardrails, drive simplification and embed automation – directly supporting the TTR vision of improved flow, stronger engineering capability and more predictable value delivery. You will also act as a deputy for the Director of Technology when required.
Key Responsibilities
Platform Architecture Leadership
Oversee platform architectures to ensure they are resilient, adaptable and future‑proofed to support long‑term business evolution and regulatory change.
Lead the definition and evolution of platform capabilities, developing clear north‑star visions and 3–5‑year maturity horizons.
Embed future‑ready design principles that avoid long‑term lock‑in and reduce fragility while enabling scalable growth.
Ensure architecture supports automation, reduced handoffs and enhanced flow efficiency.
Strategic Alignment & Governance
Govern architectural alignment across platforms and into Solutions Architecture to reinforce organisational coherence.
Identify duplicated patterns and technical debt, defining transition states and simplification strategies.
Establish architecture guardrails, reference models and reusable patterns to increase consistency and decision quality.
Lead platform‑level architecture for SaaS integrations, including APIs, events, data contracts, identity and observability.
Strategic Delivery & Prioritisation
Play a central role in prioritisation forums such as LPM, Platform Councils and Strategy & Roadmap Planning.
Ensure decisions support short‑term business outcomes and long‑term enterprise direction.
Shape incremental migration paths that enable phased modernisation with reduced disruption.
Leadership & Capability Development
Lead, coach and mentor Platform Architects in strategic thinking, technical excellence and pragmatic delivery.
Maintain a forward‑looking view of technology trends and integrate relevant innovations into platform roadmaps.
Strengthen the architecture community across TTR, embedding shared standards and learning.
Collaboration & Enterprise Impact
Partner with ExCo, Directors, Platform Owners, Engineering and IT leaders to shape strategic capability uplift and investment decisions.
Ensure cohesive business, data, integration, application and technology architectures across value streams.
Maintain high‑quality architectural artefacts that guide both strategic planning and real‑time delivery.
Qualifications
* Extensive senior experience in architecture leadership roles (Enterprise, Head of Architecture, Chief Architect).
* Proven ability to develop, mature and lead architecture teams and communities.
* Experience working across large‑scale transformation programmes.
* Ability to influence senior stakeholders, including ExCo and ELT.
* Deep architectural modelling, conceptual thinking and simplification skills.
* Experience governing architecture across multiple business domains and technology stacks.
* Strategic thinker with a strong enterprise‑wide perspective.
* Natural curiosity with a continuous‑learning mindset.
* Inspirational leader able to motivate teams and model thought leadership.
* Collaborative, pragmatic and outcomes‑focused.
Benefits
* Annual discretionary bonus scheme
* 25 days’ annual leave + bank holidays, rising by 1 day per year of service (up to 30 days)
* Holiday trading scheme, allowing you to buy and sell additional annual leave
* Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10% per annum)
* Colleague mortgage (conditions apply)
* Salary sacrifice scheme for hybrid & electric cars
* A commitment to training and development
* Private medical insurance for all colleagues
* 3 paid volunteering days per year
* Diverse and inclusive colleague networks including Carers and Pride Alliance
* Health and wellbeing support, including cycle‑to‑work scheme and discounted gym membership
About the Company
Skipton is the fourth biggest building society in the UK and is a mutual organisation – it is owned by its members rather than shareholders. The company values work/life balance and supports hybrid and flexible working where possible. Its newly refurbished head office offers a vibrant and collaborative working space. The culture encourages new ideas to keep customers at the heart of what the company does and fosters a future‑oriented approach for its members, colleagues and customers.
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