Technical Architect

Methods Business and Digital Technology Limited

Methods is a £100M+ IT Services Consultancy who has partnered with a range of central government departments and agencies to transform the way the public sector operates in the UK. Established over 30 years ago and UK-based, we apply our skills in transformation, delivery, and collaboration from across the Methods Group, to create end-to-end business and technical solutions that are people-centred, safe, and designed for the future.

Our human touch sets us apart from other consultancies, system integrators and software houses - with people, technology, and data at the heart of who we are, we believe in creating value and sustainability through everything we do for our clients, staff, communities, and the planet.

We support our clients in the success of their projects while working collaboratively to share skill sets and solve problems. At Methods we have fun while working hard; we are not afraid of making mistakes and learning from them.

Predominantly focused on the public-sector, Methods is now building a significant private sector client portfolio.

Methods was acquired by the Alten Group in early 2022.

Role

The Technical Architect provides thought leadership and strategic guidance for customers' technical teams and also sets the technical direction for the Managed Services service support functions. The Technical Architect will understand all aspects of customers' and internal systems, from both a business and technical point of view.They are also responsible for collaborating with different work groups and departments to ensure our technical solutions are robust, commercially viable and fully address the customer requirements. The Technical Architect will also provide technical input to aid the team in resolving highly complex problems, as well as mentoring senior technical staff within the team.

The Technical Architect will work on multiple projects and meet deadlines whilst at the same time comprehending complex and interdependent business requirements and ensuring these are delivered in a cost effective and secure manner.

Accountabilities:

• Maintain a thorough understanding of the strategic vision (set by the Head of Managed Services) for the shared service operation to set the long-term technical direction of the service.
• Ensure the team understand infrastructure and system characteristics, and create visions of customer needs to identify creative solutions
• Ensure that all technical solutions used are appropriately documented, regularly reviewed and updated when required
• Direct the team to support resolution of highly complex problems to help them successfully resolve issues and prevent future reoccurrence.
• Share knowledge with team members
• Support the development of junior colleagues by modelling desirable behaviours
• Provide regular technical architecture landscape updates, status, and development information to management
• Ensure alignment of Managed Service capabilities to the overarching business strategy, enterprise architectural design and support organisational Leads in the development and achievement of Technical Roadmaps

Responsibilities

• Provide expert leadership to the Managed Services Team in terms of technical assurance, industry best practice and alignment to business strategy across various products/services
• Become a reliable and trusted technical point of contact for customers' senior technical and management staff
• Manage direct reports as per organisation structure
• Maintain clear contextual understanding and knowledge of technologies which underpin the customer technical landscapes and their interdependencies
• Develop and maintain an in-depth understanding of customers' environments and requirements to identify areas where we can add value
• Collaborate effectively with the Service Improvement Manager and Service Desk Manager to achieve the best outcomes for customers and CoreAzure
• Collaborate with peers across the wider organisation to bring additional knowledge into Managed Services
• Create and maintain collateral which documents the architecture of the platforms, and articulate this architecture to appropriate stakeholders who have varying levels of technical proficiency
• Analyse the impact of new requirements and provide recommendations to ensure the correct technical solutions are leveraged in the delivery of business outcomes
• Maintain strong technical abilities and a ensure a sound understanding of business policies that govern solution adoption
• Work with the Service Desk Team to support the service management process in order to maintain service continuity and exemplary quality standards
• Guide the Service Desk Team in implementation of technical good practices, policies, and procedures
• Identify opportunities to combine similar solution needs in order to ensure that efficiency and effectiveness are being considered in the addressing of problem statements
• Establish and/or contribute to adherence to technical, operational and governance processes, taking a proactive approach in carrying out activities within the aforementioned processes
• Work with the Service Desk Team to ensure the adoption of best practice approaches to release management, upgrades, patching and security installs to ensure compliance with customers' organisational security protocols
• Lead operational activity, technical improvement initiatives or projects that require a cross-product focus and aligning to the delivery of improved Technical Architecture Standards
• Maintain comprehensive accurate records and documentation of all customer interactions including relevant technical and strategic considerations for the consumption of others
• Develop a technical architecture roadmap for individual customers of Managed Services
• Actively participate in Service Reviews
• Any other duties as and when required commensurate with organisational position

Requirements

Essential

• Experience of working on a Service Desk
• Embrace a passion for IT and technology
• A proven focus and ability to deliver effective customer service, achieving high levels of customer satisfaction through professional attitudes and situational awareness.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to be influential and persuasive with stakeholders
• Ability to engage a non-technical audience to share technical information
• Ability to clearly communicate technical information with a technical audience
• Experience of producing designs/documentation to help drive key business decisions and presenting them to clients
• Ability to work collaboratively in projects and to undertake technical leadership
• Adept at producing high quality documents and documentation
• Understanding and appreciation of effective leadership practice
• Learn quickly and keep up to date with the latest technology advancements.
• Have a broad and deep knowledge of server and desktop operating systems, networks and office systems, plus Microsoft cloud offerings.
• Demonstrate an ethos of continual business and professional development
• Ability to anticipate customers’ needs
• Strong analytical, creative and innovative problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify root causes in complex scenarios.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to meet the needs of demanding workloads.

Willingness and ability to work during weekends and out‐of‐hours when necessary (additional compensation for these hours of working will apply in line with T&Cs).

This role will require you to have or be willing to go through Security Clearance. As part of the onboarding process candidates will be asked to complete a Baseline Personnel Security Standard; details of the evidence required to apply may be found on the government website Gov.UK. If you are unable to meet this and any associated criteria, then your employment may be delayed, or rejected. Details of this will be discussed with you at interview.

Benefits

Methods is passionate about its people; we want our colleagues to develop the things they are good at and enjoy.

By joining us you can expect

Autonomy to develop and grow your skills and experience

Be part of exciting project work that is making a difference in society

Strong, inspiring and thought-provoking leadership

A supportive and collaborative environment

Development – access to LinkedIn Learning, a management development programme, and training

Wellness – 24/7 confidential employee assistance programme

Flexible Working – including home working and part time

Social – office parties, breakfast Tuesdays, monthly pizza Thursdays, Thirsty Thursdays, and commitment to charitable causes

Time Off – 25 days of annual leave a year, plus bank holidays, with the option to buy 5 extra days each year

Volunteering – 2 paid days per year to volunteer in our local communities or within a charity organisation

Pension – Salary Exchange Scheme with 4% employer contribution and 5% employee contribution

Discretionary Company Bonus – based on company and individual performance

Life Assurance – of 4 times base salary

Private Medical Insurance – which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)

Worldwide Travel Insurance – which is non-contributory (spouse and dependants included)

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Pay

Travel – season ticket loan, cycle to work scheme