About us
We're Transform.
Transform is a fresh alternative to Big Consulting. As an end-to-end transformation partner, we define, design, build and operate systems that solve our clients' toughest challenges and seize their biggest opportunities. That often means combining strategy, data, AI, technology, and change management. Sometimes we manage and operate the systems we create; other times, we hand it over for the client to run – standing by to make improvements when things change. It all comes down to making an impact: improving lives, supporting citizens, streamlining workflows, and making the world a better place. We specialise in public sector and public-facing organisations—from government agencies and local authorities to energy, utilities, transportation and healthcare. We also work for some of the world's most dynamic brands across automotive, retail, financial services, and consumer goods.
In 2024, Transform acquired Cadence Innova, the UK's leading public sector change consultancy. The result is a fresh kind of partner: together, we're able to deliver change from the very first ideas through to deployment—building on our deep relationships at every level of government.
We're part of the Next 15 group, a multi-national organisation spanning over 25 brands. We combine the financial robustness and breadth of services of a large organisation, with the nimbleness and innovation of a smaller brand.
If you are keen to help us build the workforce of the future, we should talk.
We're all in That's what gets us out of bed every day. We hope you feel the same.
The Role
(London or Manchester)
We are looking for a strategic and business-oriented Principal Architect to join our consulting firm. In this leadership role, you will help shape clients' enterprise architecture vision, align technology with business strategy, and drive large-scale transformation initiatives. You will develop solution architecture and advocate for strategic architecture practices.
This role is to support driving growth in our winning and delivery of architecture services. You will be key to supporting sales efforts, ensuring successful project delivery, and building internal enterprise/solution architecture capabilities.
You will engage with senior client stakeholders, define architecture roadmaps, guide execution, and mentor both client and internal teams. The ideal candidate combines deep architectural expertise with strong consulting and leadership skills, and thrives in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Key responsibilities
Project Delivery
Define, implement and govern enterprise architecture frameworks, principles, and standards across client engagements
Lead the development of target operating models, capability maturity assessments, and transformation roadmaps
Ensure alignment between business goals, IT strategy, and solution delivery through architecture governance
Act as a senior advisor to client executives, helping them navigate change and technology evolution
Sales Support
Collaborate with sales and account teams to identify enterprise-level challenges and shape transformational architecture strategies
Lead architecture visioning and strategy sessions with client executives and technology leaders
Develop high-level enterprise architectures, capability maps, and transformation roadmaps during pre-sales engagements
Contribute to proposals, RFP responses, and executive presentations that clearly articulate enterprise value
Internal Capability Creation and Enhancement
Develop and enhance enterprise architecture methodologies, tools, and reusable templates
Mentor consultants and architects, internally and in clients, in enterprise architecture best practices and advocating architectural practice
Contribute to the development of consulting offerings related to architecture strategy, governance, and transformation
Lead internal knowledge-sharing forums and communities of practice focused on enterprise architecture
Skills, Knowledge & Expertise
10+ years of experience in solution/enterprise architecture or a combination of strategic IT leadership and architecture roles.
Strong background in developing enterprise-wide architecture strategies, reference architectures, and capability models.
Proven experience aligning technology with business strategy across large, complex organisations, and delivery of architecture projects to achieve strategic goals.
Helping build organisational maturity in architecture practice from varying current levels of capability and internal team skills.
Led or been involved in TDA (Technical Design Authorities) to define infrastructure, technology architectures, networking and industry security standards and compliance. Depth in some domains with working knowledge in all.
Understanding across architecture domains including business, data, application, technology and infrastructure architecture.
Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, especially with C-level audiences.
Strong consulting background with experience in client-facing delivery and strategic advisory roles
Familiar with ISO27001, ITIL V4 and Cyber Essentials+ from an enterprise architecture perspective
Architecture mapping, as-is to-be and led architect design from discovery to implementation
Has provided strategic direction and overseen the integration of emerging new technology platforms including cloud platforms, new enterprise applications, big data platforms and tools for advanced analytics including AI/machine learning/data science that drive business value
Desirable
Experience with enterprise architecture tools (e.g., Bizzdesign, Sparx EA, etc)
Familiarity with TOGAF, DAMA, or other recognised architecture frameworks
Industry-specific architecture knowledge (e.g. public sector (GDS Service standard), utilities, healthcare)
Certifications such as TOGAF, AWS/Azure, or business architecture certifications
Experience leading enterprise transformations involving cloud migration, data strategy, or operating model redesign
Experience across a range of related technology disciplines such as Agile, Product Management, DevOps, Cyber Security, User Centred Design, Design Thinking amongst others – we are looking for someone to connect and add value across disciplines and teams skill sets
About us and our benefits
Being one team; looking out for each other as a team
The world never stops changing and we'll never stop learning
Infinity & Beyond; we're crazy ambitious, not afraid to fail along the way (it's just falling with style)
Integrity is everything; we're honest with each other and with our clients
Diversity is our superpower; everyone's story is different, and we celebrate differences
We're all in; we take on tough, complex challenges with lots of moving parts and we're committed to the work, our clients and each other
Our benefits include:
Holiday entitlement, 28 days with the option to buy/sell up to 5 days
Day off (on or in the week of) your birthday
Pension eligibility, up to 5% matched contributions
Private healthcare
Life assurance
Enhanced maternity and enhanced paternity and shared parental leave
Cycle to work & electric car schemes
Gym & retail discounts
Regular social events/activities
A range of other benefits from our flexible benefits package
At Transform we believe in a culture of inclusivity, we celebrate difference and believe that diversity makes our business more relevant, our work more meaningful and our people more empowered. We're committed to equality of opportunity for all, and we actively seek applications from all ethnicities, orientations, beliefs, gender identities + those with neurodiverse traits and disabilities. We want you to have the best opportunity to show us who you are and what you can do. Please do let us know if you need any adjustments now or at any point in the recruitment process.
If this sounds like you, please get in touch to discuss in more detail.
Use of AI in CV and Interviews
Whilst we are a technology company and promote using AI the right and ethical way, we value authenticity and transparency in our hiring process. To ensure fairness and accuracy in assessing your skills and experience, we kindly request that you refrain from using AI-assisted tools to generate answers during interviews or enhancing your CV.
We are looking for genuine insights into your abilities, experiences, and personality. Any misrepresentation through AI-generated content may impact our ability to make an informed decision. We look forward to getting to know the real you