Principal Enterprise Architect

Hackney is one of the most dynamic and progressive local authorities in the UK. We are a resilient, vibrant, and creative borough in the heart of London, with strong, diverse communities and a powerful set of shared values.

Over the past twenty years, the Council has built up first-class services, outstanding public infrastructure, and a reputation for excellence, innovation, and ambition. We are leading the way on essential work such as our fight for equity in Hackney with a particular focus on becoming an actively anti-racist borough. But the work doesn’t stop there, we are proactive in our approach to bringing fairness to all aspects of life including gender, neurodiversity and across the poverty divide.

The London Borough of Hackney is driving an ambitious digital transformation journey, moving from reactive recovery to a modern, zero-trust digital ecosystem. Having established cloud-first infrastructure and advanced data platforms, we are seeking an authoritative, strategic Lead Enterprise Architect to bridge high-level corporate strategy with modern technical delivery.

In this pivotal role, you will act as the supreme authority for technical governance, chairing the council-wide Technical Design Authority (TDA). You will bring rigor to our technical footprint by driving architectural standardisation, eliminating redundant legacy software, and championing reusable design patterns. Crucially, you will translate innovative, proven technologies (including Cloud FinOps, Zero-Trust security, workflow automation, and safe AI deployment) into tangible, measurable business benefits and cashable savings.

Key Responsibilities

– Drive Technical Standardisation & Governance: Lead and chair the weekly Technical Design Authority (TDA). Formulate and enforce council-wide architecture blueprints, standard design patterns, and TOGAF-aligned frameworks across all software, cloud, and data environments.

– Pragmatic Innovation & Business Value: Identify, evaluate, and deploy practical, proven technologies that solve frontline service delivery challenges, deliver financial prudence, and improve outcomes across five core digital themes: Digitally Accessible Council, Digital Workplace, Digitally Inclusive Borough, Data Informed Organisation, and Digital Place.

– Architecture Rationalisation & Legacy Decommissioning: Systematically review legacy applications to reduce system complexity, eliminate duplication, and unlock cashable savings.

– Modern Security & Platform Strategy: Ensure all solutions conform to a Zero-Trust cybersecurity perimeter, hybrid cloud patterns (AWS/Azure), and master data platforms.

– Strategic Influence & Leadership: Operating at SFIA Level 5/6, communicate complex architectural choices effectively to both technical engineering squads and senior executive leadership.

Requirements & Person Specification

– Framework Mastery: TOGAF certification (or equivalent enterprise framework experience).

– Proven Track Record in Standardisation: Extensive experience establishing architectural governance (TDA), defining enterprise standards, and enforcing reusable design components in complex multi-stakeholder environments.

– Value-Driven Innovation: Demonstrated success adopting modern, proven technology solutions (automation/RPA, cloud infrastructure, modern APIs, zero-trust perimeters) that yield proven ROI, cost reduction, and operational efficiency.

– Technical Depth & Breadth: Hands-on operational and strategic fluency across AWS/Azure, SaaS/PaaS integrations, zero-trust security controls, and master data schema management.

– Collaborative Leadership: Ability to mentor technical specialists and build strategic alignment with Service Directors and key external partners.

Please note: The Council reserves the right to close this vacancy before the advertised closing date if a sufficient number of suitable applications are received. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.

As a Council, our most outstanding asset is our staff, who are highly dedicated to serving our residents and committed to our goals as an organisation.

If you want to work in a place where you can represent our values so we achieve the best for our residents, please click on the apply button below.

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Therefore, we do not accept supporting statements or CV’s.

To proceed with your application, you will need to create an account and submit your application.

As part of the application process, you will need to complete a number of competency based questions. These questions allow you to demonstrate your suitability for the role and provide examples of your skills, knowledge and experience outlined in the job description.

We understand the benefits of using AI in the workplace. However, if you are thinking of using this tool to submit your application, we ask you to think about what value it will add. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

Closing date for applications: 23 August 2026 (22.59)

Interview date: TBC

We are also working towards our vision, which is to be a place for everyone; where residents and staff can be proud; a place that celebrates diversity and where everyone can feel valued, included and involved. In order to achieve this, we look for people who are: Proud; Ambitious; Pioneering; Open; Proactive; Inclusive.

Hackney Council works to eradicate discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We also recognise that people can be disadvantaged by their social and economic circumstances, so we will also work to eliminate discrimination and disadvantage caused by social class. We also welcome those interested in flexible working. We particularly welcome applications from disabled people, as this group is currently under represented in our workforce.

The Council has a dedicated employment support service (Hackney Works), which offers Hackney residents guidance in relation to applying for jobs. If you are thinking about applying for a job, please contact the Hackney Works team to find out what support is available: hackneyworks@hackney.gov.uk