Head of Architecture

• locations
• Manchester
• Milton Keynes

• time type
• Full time

• posted on
• Posted Yesterday

• job requisition id
• R7264

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Head of Architecture

Permanent

Manchester: £101,500 - £122,000

Milton Keynes: £105,600 - £127,000

Hybrid – 2 days in the office, flexible days

Introduction

Are you ready to shape the future of technology at AQA? This is your chance to lead a critical function that drives architectural strategy and innovation across our organisation. You’ll play a key role in enabling technology transformation that impacts millions of learners. In this senior leadership position, you’ll not only set the vision for enterprise architecture but also influence how technology underpins our mission to advance education. You’ll work closely with decision-makers across the organisation, ensuring that every architectural choice supports long-term goals and delivers tangible benefits. This is an opportunity to make a lasting impact on AQA’s technology landscape and help us stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital world.

Purpose of the Role

As Head of Architecture, you’ll define and deliver AQA’s enterprise architecture strategy, ensuring alignment across our technology landscape. You’ll lead a team of architects, guide strategic decisions, and influence senior stakeholders to create coherent, future-ready solutions that support our mission. Beyond setting standards, you’ll champion innovation and ensure that architecture principles are embedded across all technology initiatives. Your work will enable AQA to adopt emerging technologies, including AI, and deliver systems that are scalable, secure, and sustainable. You’ll act as a trusted adviser to leadership, balancing short-term priorities with long-term strategic goals, and ensuring that every solution contributes to our vision of empowering learners everywhere.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading the enterprise architecture function and managing a team of seven architects
• Driving the development and maturity of architecture standards, frameworks, and governance
• Partnering with senior leaders and technology teams to deliver strategic initiatives, including AI adoption and system evolution

What We Are Looking For

• Proven experience establishing or maturing an architecture function in a large organisation
• A strong track record of IT leadership and delivery across multiple domains
• Expertise in hybrid environments with internal teams and third-party providers
• Ability to influence at executive level and communicate complex concepts clearly
• Familiarity with architectural frameworks such as TOGAF (certification desirable but not essential)

What’s in it for you
At AQA we value your contribution and we’ll make sure you feel supported and rewarded. You’ll get:

• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas
• a 35-hour working week with flexible working arrangements
• an excellent contributory pension scheme (6%–11.5% depending on your contribution)
• life assurance, BUPA PMI, and health cash plan
• enhanced maternity and paternity schemes
• access to professional and personal development whenever you need it

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Application Process

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter by 25 January 2026.
Interviews will take place on 3–4 February (first stage) and 9–11 February (second stage).

Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Summary

This role is accountable for the definition, leadership and delivery of Architectural and technology related strategy and standards within AQA education and also to engage and guide across the wider AQA group subsidiaries.

You will lead the design, development and evolution of Enterprise, Solution and Information Architectures within Enterprise Technology and facilitate the appropriate alignment of architectural standards and practices across Enterprise and Assessment technology groups.Landscape:

The Enterprise Technology Division sits within the Group Corporate Services Division enabling the centralised delivery of core corporate services. In addition, Enterprise Technology operates in close partnership with Assessment Technology and Programme Management collectively delivering the full IT service portfolio of current operations to future change programmes.

Enterprise Technology consists of the following functions:

Service Delivery

Enterprise IT Services (Core IT Delivery teams desktop, systems & infrastructure)

Enterprise Applications

Architecture

Security (includes Risk and Data Protection management).

The role reports directly into the Director for Enterprise Technology representing the wider architecture function has an approx. headcount of 7.

Due to this role and function accountabilities, regular stakeholder engagement across all levels and all AQA UK locations is required with infrequent international travel where required.

Key relationships

Key internal AQA Education relationships:

AQA Divisional Heads / Cx Levels

Enterprise Technology functions

AQA Assessment Technology & Programme Management Leadership / Functions

AQA Commercial services teams

Wider AQA group subsidiaries

Key external relationships:

Third party technology providers

Relevant third-party providers.

Activities:

Architecture function effectiveness

To support the strategic direction of AQA through technology acquisition and enhancement, leading teams in delivering to the needs of Enterprise and Assessment Technology and wider AQA group entities, offering excellent customer service and value for money.

To define, champion and embed architecture capability and culture driving effective compliance across AQA Education (Enterprise and Assessment Technology Groups) and (where appropriate) wider group entities.

Establish proactive and effective business engagement to assist in the identification of architectural solutions to meet business outcomes, and support business units with improvement objectives

Lead, promote and embed excellent standards / frameworks for Enterprise, Solution & Information Architecture, business continuity and related policies / compliance standards

Establish a collaborative and effective cross functional engagement between the Enterprise and Assessment technology architecture functions, ensuring collective alignment to architecture principles, vision, strategies and targeted outcomes, whilst enabling assessment technology architecture teams to operate within the assessment technology domain

Ensure sufficient group enterprise architecture awareness to capture and understand the collective groups technology footprint and capabilities

Developing coherent, fit-for-purpose architectures and frameworks that meet organisational need

Support the delivery of architectural design governance defining appropriate architecture and security practices and working closely with stakeholders in driving consistency of agreed architecture, standards and security across all change initiatives and teams

Being the custodian of AQA educations Enterprise Architecture (EA) strategy (both a technology and data perspective) working collaboratively with Assessment Technology to ensure the overarching architecture strategy successfully supports the domain related assessment technology architecture strategy.

Effectively influence and build relationships with a range of senior bodies including internal sponsors and clients and provide full and timely updates on AQA’s IT strategy and security.

People and Culture

Establish increased visibility and accountability to empower teams to improve services and outcomes

Ensure high standards of people management of direct reports and teams, setting challenging team objectives for team members and monitoring progress through regular feedback and coaching, driving professional development and actively facilitating cross skilling

Direct the management and development of the Architecture team, guiding team members through transformational activities to ensure they remain motivated and engaged and their skills effective

Drive organisational learning about how AQA can continuously improve, supporting the business to respond to the lessons learned and personally be a positive role model of change leadership

Ensure the teams stay abreast of technology innovation and development across architecture and broader IT landscape, identifying new technologies and services which could materially impact on efficiency, productivity, competitive advantage and the delivery of AQAs charitable objectives.

To be a member of the Enterprise Technology Leadership team shaping and leading the ongoing operation and maturity of the Enterprise Technology Group

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

Essential Criteria

Proven senior leader with a strong track record of IT expertise and delivery across a number of practices within the IT industry.

Strong and proven expertise in operating within hybrid support functions - internal and external / 3rd party organisations.

Proven experience of establishing and/or maturing an architecture function, including team development, tooling, repository, principles, roadmaps, and landscapes.

Proven experience to mobilise, chair and operate appropriate architectural governance forums to drive architectural decision-making.

Responsive to short-term challenges/priorities whilst holding to clear strategy and direction.

Tangible experience of working within Architectural frameworks such as TOGAF, Zachman etc.

Organises and plans effectively whilst retaining focus on the bigger picture.

Ability to frame technology trends and opportunities within AQA’s strategic objectives.

Ability to converse and explain complex technology frameworks and topics in easy to understand language.

Proven expertise in identifying and improving high level processes and ways of working.

Aptitude for sharing and embedding best practice.

Skills to build rapport and influence with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

Highly conversant with and able to navigate all major corporate structures including regulatory environment, financial management and budgeting, programme and project delivery and information security and risk practices.

Excellent track record of leading, empowering, developing and motivating individuals and teams to deliver across multiple sites and ability to set challenging performance standards/ objectives and tackle performance issues.

Significant experience delivering in high-stakes and/or regulated environments.

Excellent delivery credentials, with a flexible, pragmatic “can do” attitude.

Desirable Criteria

TOGAF practitioner certified or similar qualification

Knowledge / awareness of broader Education / Assessment sector

Knowledge of AQA suite of products, customer and market influences, and the environment in which AQA operates

About Us

AQA is an independent charity that sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels in the UK every year. Our purpose is to advance education by helping students and teachers to realise their potential. As part of AQA, you’ll very quickly appreciate the determination and unwavering passion to deliver this goal in everything we do. To help drive these ambitions, AQA invests in the development of its people by offering a range of professional development and learning opportunities leading to over 50% of our permanent roles being filled internally.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you have any requirements for reasonable adjustments in relation to the application, interview or the prospective job, please contact Faye Harrison (she/her) at fharrison@aqa.org.uk or on

07813 724161. We are asking for this information to make the process as equitable as possible for each candidate. Please note that Faye will not be able to assist you with enquiries regarding Temporary vacancies or non-recruitment enquiries. If you have query regarding Temporary vacancies, please contact:

temprecruit@aqa.org.uk

Smart Working

We’re operating a smart working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

AQA is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace where everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and supported to thrive.

Conflict of Interest

Please note that due to the confidential nature of our work, we are unable to employ people for our temporary roles who are currently a candidate for Key Stage 4 and 5 public examinations.

Safeguarding

AQA is committed to the safeguarding of children and adults at risk. We’re dedicated to reducing the risk of employing or contracting any person intent on abusing their position of trust, along with identifying and responding to any incident of alleged abuse from its employees or associates fairly and swiftly.

For more information on safeguarding at AQA please visit the AQA website here. 

Contact

Temporary roles: temprecruit@aqa.org.uk
Permanent and Fixed Term roles: opportunities@aqa.org.uk