Enterprise Business Architect

About IT Services

IT Services at the University of Manchester is a vibrant and fast-moving department, we focus on delivering excellent customer service and quality services for our staff, students and researchers.

The Team

The architecture team is a key part of the Strategy and Architecture space we work closely with other areas of ITS and the Strategic Change Office to ensure successful delivery of a diverse set of programmes and projects that take place across the University.

The key services provided by the architecture team include :

Guidance and support to IT Services and the wider university regarding the application of technology to business capabilities.

Facilitate the development of strategies for the technology evolution to support the universities domains (Teaching and Learning, Finance, HR, Research...etc).

Engage in capability-based planning to ensure that change is aligned to capabilities which support the strategic direction.

Work with operational teams to understand the IT landscape and the changes required to ensure quality and reliability.

Provide assurance of technical and business designs via the Technical Design Authority and inputs to the Business Design Authority.

The Role

The University of Manchester is looking to appoint an Enterprise Business Architect for a period of 24 months to work across the portfolio of programmes taking place in our Professional Services (PS) domain.

The role will take a strategic approach to ensuring business designs are completed in a consistent manner, reviewing people, process and procedures, to promote a unified view.

A key responsibility of this role will be to support the delivery of a Business Design Authority (BDA), where they will work closely with senior leaders to influence designs and advise on good practice design assurance and cross-capability design to ensure value is being delivered that is aligned with our strategic vision.

The role will work closely with the current Architect team and will need to analyse, architect, design, cost and plan solutions, ensuring consistency across programmes of work and ensuring alignment to the overall University strategy.

This is an exciting role that will have the opportunity to help deliver a strategically aligned portfolio under PS. The role will also have the opportunity to work with a number of highly skilled architects and help feed into the Architecture practice.

The Person

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate :

Significant experience in the support of Business Design Authorities and assuring designs against business design principles

Significant experience in the development and implementation of operating models

Significant experience in understanding key PS capabilities and architecting which capabilities will be delivered via which strategic tools.

Confidence with coordination of cross-enterprise business design groups / governance committees.

The ability to undertake a gap analysis, and where there are gaps or deficiencies in our toolset to make recommendations based on market assessment of any additional or replacement tools we may need.

Experience in analysing technology trade-offs and providing options analysis and reasoned recommendations allowing informed decisions to take place.

Planning and development of a roadmaps in support of new business features and capabilities.

Working in collaboration with Customers and Suppliers to help ensure fitness for purpose.

Experience of working with estates that have complex integrations.

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Desirable skills :

Experience of working in a Higher Education Institute

What can you expect in return

Our diverse job opportunities all include a top benefits package that includes many features that are hard to find in the private sector :

Generous annual leave allowance, including Christmas / New Year closure.

Pension scheme membership to provide benefits for you and your family.

Well-being programme with counselling, fitness and leading sports facilities.

Learning and development opportunities.

Season ticket loans for public transport.

Cycle to Work Scheme.

Workplace nursery scheme.

Staff recognition schemes.

Staff discounts on a range of products and services including travel and high street savings.

In fact, there are so many benefits available you can see more of them by clicking

Find out more about our organisation and values :

When completing the additional information section of your application, please ensure you make reference to the job description and person specification above, as this will form an integral part of the shortlisting process.

As an equal-opportunity employer, we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status.

All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about hybrid working