Technical Architect - Contract (Inside IR35) Start Date: April 2026 Duration: 6 months Rate: £450 per day Location: Leeds (onsite once per fortnight) About the role Exalto Consulting is supporting a major public sector programme focused on improving planning services. We are looking for a Technical Architect to lead the design and assurance of secure, scalable and maintainable systems across a complex delivery environment. This role sits at the centre of a multidisciplinary programme, helping translate real user and service needs into practical technical solutions. You'll provide clear architectural direction, support delivery teams and help ensure that systems are built with long-term sustainability in mind. This is an opportunity to contribute to work that directly impacts patient care and service delivery at scale. What you'll be doing Leading the end-to-end technical architecture for services and platforms Translating business and user needs into clear architectural designs and roadmaps Providing technical leadership across multiple teams, supporting consistent and aligned delivery Ensuring solutions meet standards for security, scalability, interoperability and resilience Supporting teams through implementation, helping to resolve challenges and manage technical risk Working with stakeholders to make informed decisions, balancing trade-offs between cost, risk and value What we're looking for Essential experience Strong background in designing architectures across distributed systems and services Ability to explain complex technical concepts in a clear, accessible way Experience shaping technical strategy and influencing senior stakeholders Solid understanding of security, data and integration principles Proven experience leading multidisciplinary delivery teams Confidence in identifying and managing technical risk Desirable experience Experience working within healthcare or the public sector Exposure to regulated or high-assurance environments Involvement in large-scale transformation programmes How the work is delivered You'll be working in an agile, multidisciplinary environment where collaboration and continuous improvement are part of day-to-day delivery. The approach focuses on iterative design, regular assurance and ongoing engagement with stakeholders to ensure the right outcomes are achieved. About you You bring a thoughtful, pragmatic approach to architecture. You're comfortable working with complexity and can make balanced decisions where there are competing priorities. You communicate clearly, work collaboratively and stay focused on delivering meaningful outcomes. Additional information Candidates must be eligible for SC (Security Check) clearance You must have lived in the UK continuously for the past 5 years (with no significant gaps) This role offers an opportunity to obtain or transfer SC clearance, which may support future project opportunities A note from Exalto Consulting We're committed to presenting opportunities clearly and respectfully. If this role aligns with your experience and you're looking to contribute to work with real public impact, we'd welcome your application.