Interim Head of Architecture

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving real transformation change within our clients. We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data and business applications. We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals. The successful candidate will act as the effective interim Head of Architecture providing direction to the Architecture team, strengthen governance and assurance, and ensure that technology and solution decisions align with organisational strategy, standards and the wider client's architecture processes. This is a senior, influential role requiring extensive Enterprise Architecture experience, strong technical breadth and the ability to build trusted relationships with executives, programme leaders, technology teams and third-party suppliers. Key Responsibilities Provide day-to-day leadership and direction to the Architecture function. Act as the effective interim Head of Architecture, working closely with the senior leader responsible for Architecture, Data, Analytics, Automation, AI and Engineering. Support and coordinate a team of Enterprise and Solution Architects. Establish clear priorities across architecture assurance, strategic development and project support. Provide technical leadership and informed challenge across IT, OT and digital initiatives. Support the transition to a permanent Architecture leadership structure and facilitate an effective handover when permanent staff are appointed. Develop and mature enterprise architecture strategies, roadmaps, capability models and associated architectural collateral. Review the existing architecture repository and identify material gaps, inconsistencies and improvement priorities. Ensure architecture outputs remain practical, usable and aligned to organisational and programme objectives. Translate business strategy and investment priorities into clear architectural direction and guardrails. Support the development of target-state architectures and transition roadmaps across relevant business and technology domains. Lead the architecture assurance of project, programme, vendor and partner solutions. Establish and maintain appropriate architectural guardrails, principles and decision-making processes. Ensure proposed solutions follow agreed architecture standards and governance requirements. Provide constructive challenge to projects, programmes and suppliers where designs do not align with strategic direction or required standards. Work with project and programme teams to resolve architecture risks, gaps and dependencies. Ensure alignment with wider SSE Group architecture processes, standards and governance mechanisms. Support architecture forums, design reviews and decision-making bodies as required. Build trusted…