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 10 million exam papers each year and it's our people who make this happen.
Permanent
AQA has an opportunity for an Information/Data Architect to join our growing team in either Manchester or Milton Keynes.
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 both Enterprise and Assessment technology areas of the business,
promoting and developing architectural initiatives that develop and grow information / data architecture related capabilities and services providing robust information architecture monitoring and compliance assurance.
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.
You will support the design, implementation and delivery of technology solutions to address business requirements guiding, supporting and liaising between technology / business stakeholders, peers and colleagues both within the team and across the wider business.
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
Develop, take ownership of and maintain Information Architecture policies, procedures, guidance and standards. Where appropriate input into and guide the delivery and evolution of other architectural 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.
Also working with the business to help define and direct the wider business information/data strategies and ensure alignment with the technology strategy.
Active participation and contribution into architectural community, forums, and design authorities.
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.
Support the evolution of the IT strategy and the review of technology roadmaps and associated systems life cycles to ensure that AQA is able to identify technology opportunities and manage technology and architecture related risks effectively.
Review all systems solutions implemented across Enterprise and Assessment Technology areas of the business to ensure compliance with related Information Architectural policies, quantifying and proposing mitigations to any risks identified through effective participation in a 'design control' governance function.
Ensure information architecture and related standards maintained by the architecture team are fully compliant with all statutory and regulatory legislation.
Support collaboration with programme and project management functions and the delivery of product and service roadmaps, identifying and advising on cross project / portfolio information architecture dependencies including recommendations to address such items.
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 working knowledge and understanding of Information modelling and design frameworks and a broader familiarity with the application of such frameworks across Enterprise Applications frameworks, Service Oriented Architecture, Enterprise architecture, Physical Infrastructure deployment models and Architecture / design frameworks such as TOGAF, ZACHMAN etc
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 environmentPandoLogic.

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