Architectural Designer

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 seven million GCSEs and A-levels each year and it’s our people who make this happen.
Permanent
This is an exciting opportunity to deliver an information architecture service and approach that positively enables and evolves the information technology landscape across AQA education with initiatives that develop and grow information / data architecture related capabilities and services.
A 35 hour working week with 25 days annual leave, rising with service, with bank holidays and extra closure days around Christmas on top
An excellent contributory pension which could see up to 18.Private Medical Insurance and a Health Care Cash Reward Plan
A new Electric Vehicle Leasing Scheme
Up to 5 days for volunteering
Proven information / data architect with a strong track record of related IT expertise and delivery across a number of practices within the IT industry.
Expert understanding of information / data modelling and design, together with familiarity with other relevant architectural methods
Possess a broad understanding of and experience in working within programme and project management methodologies and governance
Experience of operating with and within hybrid support functions - internal and external / 3rd party organisations
Responsive to short-term challenges / priorities whilst holding to clear strategy and direction
Ability to frame information / data architecture trends and opportunities within AQA’s strategic objectives
Conversant with and able to navigate major corporate structures including regulatory environment, financial management and budgeting, programme / project delivery and information security and risk management practices
As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over seven million GCSEs and A-levels each year and it’s our people who make this happen.
Permanent
This is an exciting opportunity to deliver an information architecture service and approach that positively enables and evolves the information technology landscape across AQA education with initiatives that develop and grow information / data architecture related capabilities and services.
A 35 hour working week with 25 days annual leave, rising with service, with bank holidays and extra closure days around Christmas on top
An excellent contributory pension which could see up to 18.Private Medical Insurance and a Health Care Cash Reward Plan
A new Electric Vehicle Leasing Scheme
Up to 5 days for volunteering
Proven information / data architect with a strong track record of related IT expertise and delivery across a number of practices within the IT industry.
Expert understanding of information / data modelling and design, together with familiarity with other relevant architectural methods
Possess a broad understanding of and experience in working within programme and project management methodologies and governance
Experience of operating with and within hybrid support functions - internal and external / 3rd party organisations
Responsive to short-term challenges / priorities whilst holding to clear strategy and direction
Ability to frame information / data architecture trends and opportunities within AQA’s strategic objectives
Conversant with and able to navigate major corporate structures including regulatory environment, financial management and budgeting, programme / project delivery and information security and risk management practices
You will deliver an information architecture service and approach that positively enables and evolves the information technology landscape across AQA education with initiatives that develop and grow information / data architecture related capabilities and services.
You will establish, lead on and champion coherent corporate wide information / data architecture model(s) and standards where appropriate taking ownership of and resolving (or escalating) related issues or concerns you identify.
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 IT Services (Core IT Delivery teams - desktop, systems & infrastructure)
Security & Risk
Data Protection & Compliance
Assist in the development and maintenance of policies, procedures, guidance and standards that make up the Enterprise Architecture management system evolving them in line with business drivers and goals to establish robust yet flexible and adaptive controls.
Directly contribute to the definition and verification of adherence to technical standards covering areas such as Data/Information, Processing, Storage and Network architectures etc.
Work with and support business stakeholders and Enterprise Technology colleagues in the design and delivery of appropriately scoped architectural solutions ensuring that what is proposed satisfies quality, cost and time criteria and is in line with current architectural standards.
As part of the evolution of the IT strategy, regularly review clear technology roadmaps and associated systems life cycles ensuring that AQA is able to identify technology opportunities and manage technology and architecture related risks effectively.
Review all systems solutions implemented to ensure compliance with the IT strategy (and related architectural policies), quantifying and proposing mitigations to any risks identified through effective operation of a ‘design control’ governance function.
Ensure architecture and standards maintained by the architecture team are fully compliant with all statutory and regulatory legislation.
Ensure aspects such as compatibility with current and future business strategy, integration with existing systems, support of business processes including usability and performance and ease of maintenance are key areas of focus in any designs.
Drive professional development and actively facilitate cross skilling.
Ensure full compliance with all AQA policies and other legislative requirements, including but not limited to HSE / Equal Opportunities / Information & Cyber Security / Data Protection related legislation and policies.
Proven information / data architect with a strong track record of related IT expertise and delivery across a number of practices within the IT industry.
Expert understanding of information / data modelling and design, together with familiarity with other relevant architectural methods
Extensive experience of enterprise class organisations with cloud / mixed IT footprints and related modernisation of corporate architecture and application of appropriate governance
Possess a broad understanding of and experience in working within programme and project management methodologies and governance
Experience of operating with and within hybrid support functions - internal and external / 3rd party organisations
Responsive to short-term challenges / priorities whilst holding to clear strategy and direction
Direct experience of working and communicating effectively with peers, sponsors and business stakeholders at all levels both organisationally and across large scale programmes / IT developments
Ability to frame information / data architecture trends and opportunities within AQA’s strategic objectives
Conversant with and able to navigate major corporate structures including regulatory environment, financial management and budgeting, programme / project delivery and information security and risk management practices
Excellent delivery credentials, with a flexible, pragmatic “can do” attitude and a resilient ability to deliver rapid and effective solutions within a dynamic environment 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. 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.
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
Hybrid Working
We’re operating a hybrid working model. This allows for our colleagues to work from two days a week in one of our offices across England.
AQA is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes people unique.
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.
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