Enterprise Architect

Are you already in the early stages of your EA journey, or a Business Analyst or Solutions Architect ready to move in to this area? Then maybe this is a role for you.

We're looking to develop the right candidate for this role, someone who can take a pragmatic and tenacious approach to their work, and also lead and oversee significant change within the business. You'll be responsible for initiating, developing and growing architecture across a dispersed technology stack.

This is a highly technical, senior leadership role that is integral to the digital and data teams growth. You'll be working across the organisation at a strategic level to translate the business requirements into efficient technical solutions, delivering enhanced ways of working whilst also ensuring that the WMCA continually develops and maintains a strong architecture capability through coaching, mentoring and training.

• Lead a translation of enterprise capability models into end-to-end customer facing business process models and optimising them to support our digital transformation initiatives
• Provide an active internal consultancy in Business Architecture, driving adoption of WMCA’s Enterprise Architecture vision, strategies and directions, whilst promoting and evangelising them with senior stakeholders
• Create and maintain an Enterprise Architecture strategy, setting standards and ways of working through scalable and workable joined up solutions, ensuring that all technology decisions are aligned
• Understand the organisation’s ecosystems and its inter-dependencies in order to establish the architectural principles, policies and standards adopted across the organisation
• Create EA roadmaps, from a business and technology perspective, including ‘as-is’, ‘to-be’ and transitional states, and work closely with Business Analysts to ensure optimal design and interoperability
• Take a strategic view across all architectural domains, portfolios, programmes and projects to develop the architecture community; promoting reuse, sustainability and scalability to achieve value for money
• Maintain knowledge of the latest EA skills, tools and ways of working, identifying emerging trends and their opportunities and potential impact on WMCA

About you

This is an architecture role that we would look to support the right candidate to grow in to, so if you have the basics of what we're looking for and the drive to take a step in to Enterprise Architecture, this is the role for you.

It's also a unique opportunity for someone to influence and shape how we deliver technology at a pivotal point in our growth. We’re looking for someone who is strategic, pragmatic, proactive, persuasive and innovative. Someone who can see and articulate the big picture, spot issues and find creative solutions, influence change and work with diverse, demanding groups to get things done.

You will be well versed in business process management, process mapping, modelling and optimisation methodologies, tools and techniques and have sound understanding and applicable experience in architecture principles and be able to lead from the front to embed change. Our ideal applicant will have:

• TOGAF or similar Business Architecture certification, or proven experience working at this level
• Related business or technical qualifications that support or underpin Enterprise Architecture work
• Focused approach to strategic alignment of business process design and integration to meet business growth
• Experience of providing internal consultancy on potential uses and appropriateness of emerging technologies and driving benefits from these technologies
• Understanding of largescale application development, with specialism in process design aligned to product and CX designs
• Experience in using EA and Process Mapping tools
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to show leadership whilst also having a hands-on approach

How to apply. 

On clicking ‘apply for this job’, you will first be prompted to create an account. You will have the opportunity to upload a CV, which will be used to auto-populate your profile. Please note, we do not see your CV once you have applied. Our shortlisting decisions are based on what you tell us in your profile - and so it is important to format your profile so that it really stands out. Make sure to include your employment history and include any essential education and qualifications. You will be asked to provide a supporting statement. If you already have one that you have prepared earlier, you can simply copy and paste this into the application form. 

Applicants will need to evidence that they have the legal right to work in the UK.  If we make an offer of employment, we will need to check that you are eligible to work in the UK before you start work. 

Salary and benefits.

We advertise salary ranges for job roles, with new appointments typically starting at the lowest salary point. In exceptional cases, where higher skill levels or experience are applicable, the salary point may be adjusted to secure the best candidate. This approach allows for potential year-on-year salary increases, offering progression and appropriate rewards to employees.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a Local Government Pension Scheme, 28 days of paid annual leave, Cycle to Work Scheme, and discounted shopping with over 2,000 big-name retailers. For more details, please visit the benefits page on our careers site.

Location and working pattern – what you can expect. 

The location for this role is 16 Summer Lane. It is expected that you can split your time between the office and working remotely, with at least 1 day a week spent in the office. 

Creating an inclusive workplace.

West Midlands Combined Authority is dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace that reflects the communities of the West Midlands region. We recognise that certain groups, such as women and people of colour, may be less likely to apply for roles if they feel they do not meet all the requirements. However, we encourage individuals who are passionate about the role and want to make a difference to still apply. We value potential and encourage applicants to highlight their skills, including transferable ones, even if they don't fit the traditional "perfect candidate" mould.

We gladly consider part-time, flexible, and job share arrangements, so please don't let these factors deter you from applying. If your values align with ours and you are dedicated to working towards a future we can all be proud of, we would love to hear from you.

About us.

Our vision is to create a better connected, more prosperous, fairer, greener, and healthier region. We aim to achieve this vision by living our values, which include being a partnership organisation, valuing and respecting our people, fostering a can-do attitude, and encouraging innovation. WMCA holds diversity accreditations, such as "Leaders in Diversity," and has been recognized as one of the Inclusive Top 50 Employers and The Times Top 50 Employers for Women. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, committed to interviewing all applicants with disabilities who meet the essential role criteria. WMCA believes that building a team with varied backgrounds and experiences will benefit us as an employer and enhance our work.

Reasonable adjustments.

If you have an accessibility requirement, disability, or condition that means you might require changes to the recruitment process, please get in touch with our Recruitment Team (careers@wmca.org.uk). We are here to assist and accommodate your needs.

Thank you for considering joining our team at WMCA. We look forward to receiving your application and the opportunity to work together towards our shared goals.