Job summary
Are you a strategic technology leader ready to shape impactful digital services?
Can you lead complex architecture with clarity while supporting and growing your team?
If so, we'd love to hear from you!
The DVSA is building a dedicated Enterprise Architecture (EA) team to act as the bridge between the business and digital and data delivery. The Chief Enterprise Architect leads a team of Enterprise, Technical and Solution Architects to deliver a strategically aligned architecture service, to deliver great customer outcomes and demonstrate business value. They will contribute to the development and delivery of new and evolving operating models, accountable for delivering enterprise-wide architecture capability to ensure the best and most cost-effective technology solutions are developed and deployed for DVSA’s services.
Operating effectively with multi-disciplinary teams of Digital & Data professionals, policy experts and service teams throughout the change lifecycle, the Chief Enterprise Architect will use business architecture to inform shape and define strategic business design. They will support design, building and delivering to meet user needs, understand business goals and be able to translate future needs into statements of capability.
Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Read more in the Benefits section below!
Find out more about what it's like working at DVSA: Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency - Department for Transport Careers
Job description
Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:
- Provide technical leadership in the development, operation, and continual improvement of complex, transformational digital services serving millions of users.
- Direct the development of enterprise-wide business design and information architecture, embedding the strategic application of technology into DVSA’s organisational management.
- Develop and communicate the organisation’s enterprise architecture strategy, ensuring robust governance, audit, control, and compliance across DVSA’s technology landscape.
- Lead the development of architectures for complex systems, ensuring quality, documentation, and alignment with both internal and external customer requirements.
- Oversee work delivered by external partners to ensure DVSA’s reference architecture is robust, scalable, open, secure, and delivers a high-quality user experience through effective system design and API integration.
- Champion and manage an evolutionary architecture approach, communicating architectural direction across the Department for Transport family and wider government.
Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.
For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
Person specification
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
- A strong track record in providing hands-on, pragmatic architectural leadership across a geographically dispersed, multi-service, and technologically diverse environment—working with both internal teams and external service providers.
- Considerable experience in developing and defining strategic target business architecture to support improved organisational outcomes, strategic decision-making, architectural governance, and optimal business design.
- An excellent applied knowledge of modern technical architectures, cloud technology, IT infrastructure, data management, and software development lifecycle management—ideally with experience in enterprise systems such as CRM, compliance, and automation platforms.
- Considerable experience of driving and delivering technological change at pace within a context of organisational transformation, operating across functional and organisational boundaries with shifting priorities.
- Demonstrable experience in developing technical capability within an organisation, including empowering, supporting, and developing staff to achieve high performance.
- Strong relationship-building, influencing, and negotiation skills to provide effective technical and professional leadership to the wider architecture and technology community.
Additional Information
The role is equivalent to Level 4 Principal EA: Enterprise architect - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework
and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.
The base pay is £64,108. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £31,492.
The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process. Here are more details on the pay framework.
Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements
Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.
Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.
This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.
The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
Occasional travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.
Qualifications
You will need either:
A degree level qualification in a Digital Development and Technology discipline; OR
A formal architectural qualification in either BCS, The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF), Zachman, Gartner’s Enterprise Architecture Method; OR
A formal cloud architecture qualification either Microsoft Azure Solution Architect Expert and/or AWS Solution Architect Associate; OR
A formal architecture modelling qualification in either Archimate, UML (Unified Modelling Language) or BPMN (Business Process Model and Notation); OR
Be able to demonstrate relevant experience at an equivalent level to the above.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £64,108, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency contributes £18,572 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:
- Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
- 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
- 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
- Access to the staff discount portal.
- Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
- Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
How to apply:
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and personal statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
The selection process for this role will be:
Stage 1: Sift of CV and personal statement
Stage 2: Interview
Stage 1: Sift
At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
Experience – you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (1000-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:
- A strong track record in providing hands-on, pragmatic architectural leadership across a geographically dispersed, multi-service, and technologically diverse environment—working with both internal teams and external service providers.
- Considerable experience in developing and defining strategic target business architecture to support improved organisational outcomes, strategic decision-making, architectural governance, and optimal business design.
- An excellent applied knowledge of modern technical architectures, cloud technology, IT infrastructure, data management, and software development lifecycle management—ideally with experience in enterprise systems such as CRM, compliance, and automation platforms.
- Considerable experience of driving and delivering technological change at pace within a context of organisational transformation, operating across functional and organisational boundaries with shifting priorities.
Please note: the sift will be completed on a rolling basis whilst the campaign is still live, so you may receive your sift scores before the advert closing date.
The sift will take place from the 13th August 2025.
Stage 4: Interview
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
- Behaviours – (Leadership)
- Experience - Strategy Design
- Technical – (Level 4 Principal Enterprise Architect Framework)
The interviews will take place from the 26th August 2025.
This interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).
Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.
Further information on the selection process
We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.
During your application, you should indicate which location(s) you wish to be considered for and, if successful, you will be placed on an individual list of candidates for each location. Candidates will be held on that list and drawn from it in merit order. We advise you to carefully consider which locations you wish to be considered for. If you decline an offer for a location you have expressed a preference in or have expressed an interest in more than one location and accept an offer, you will be withdrawn from any lists you may be held on. We may also offer candidates a location that they have not expressed a preference for where we have the requirement to do so but this will again be done on the basis of your place in the overall merit order and, in this event, you will not be removed from the list if you decline.
Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit. If you are successful in the selection process but there are no further available posts for the advertised role, you may be contacted to discuss an offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements).
If you are unsuccessful in the selection process, your application may be considered for a lower graded position if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. Candidates will be considered in order of merit.
AI Tools and Platforms
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit theHow We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name :
- Elliot Morgan
- Email :
- elliot.morgan@dft.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email :
- dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
Attachments
Role Profile
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(pdf, 202kB)
