Director - Enterprise and Business Architecture

Director – Enterprise and Business Architecture

About The University of Manchester

The University of Manchester has a rich heritage of discovery, social change and a pioneering spirit, which has been at the heart of what we do since 1824. When you join our University, you become part of a truly diverse and global community of staff, students and alumni all focused on ensuring that we are recognised for the excellence of our people, research, learning and innovation, and for the benefits we bring to society.

The University has just announced its new ambitious Manchester 2035 strategy. One of its primary aims is to define what it means to be a great civic university in the 21st century. As part of this strategy, the University will continue to build on and leverage its strengths to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. The University also aims to help Manchester continue to grow in terms of economic benefit for the region and to strengthen its civic purpose as a diverse and inclusive city with a radical spirit.

About the role

The Director – Enterprise and Business Architecture (EBA) is a strategic leadership role reporting to the Chief Information Officer. The postholder will be responsible for developing, governing, and championing the Enterprise Architecture capability across the University. Their work will enable the University’s Manchester 2035 ambitions by aligning business and digital strategy with sustainable, scalable and innovative architectural solutions.

This role is the institutional lead for enterprise-wide architectural coherence, playing a critical role in digital investment decisions, future-state operating models, and major programme design. The postholder will collaborate closely with the Business Design Authority (BDA), Technical Design Authority (TDA), and broader governance bodies to ensure robust oversight of design principles, technology standards, and long-term technology planning. They will be a senior leader within the Evolve Programme and will ensure enterprise architecture actively supports transformation priorities across education, research, and professional services.

Core Skills

• Extensive experience in Enterprise Architecture in a complex, federated organisation, ideally in higher education or public sector.
• Strong knowledge of architecture frameworks and standards (e.g., TOGAF, BIZBOK, ArchiMate).
• Proven experience leading architectural governance at strategic level, including running design authorities and engaging senior executives.
• Experience of shaping major programmes through early-phase architectural input (e.g., ERP, digital transformation, cloud migration).
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and influence across professional domains.
• Desirable qualifications: TOGAF certified, ITIL v4, Lean Six Sigma, Cloud certifications (e.g., AWS/Azure), MBA or equivalent leadership training.

Salary / Package

This is a grade 9 senior leadership position offering a competitive salary (depending on experience), along with 29 days annual leave (plus 4 closure days over Christmas and 8 bank holidays), flexible working (office based at least two days a week) and an attractive pension scheme (up to 21% employer contributions).

The closing date for applications is Sunday 9 November.

Hays Technology have been retained by The University of Manchester to manage the recruitment of this role.

How to apply

Should you wish to discuss the role in strict confidence, please contact Mark Hamilton at Hays Technology [phone: +44 (0)7738 200 923; email: Mark.Hamilton@hays.com ]

Applications should consist of:

• A full CV;

• A covering letter (maximum of three pages) outlining how you meet the points under the person specification;

• Please include details of two referees, though please note that we will not approach referees without your prior consent and only should you be shortlisted; and

Completed applications should be made via https://microcontrib.hays.com/web/manchester-university-it-services