Information Architect

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 seven million GCSEs and A-levels each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Information Architect

Permanent

Manchester: £56,000 - £65,923

Milton Keynes: £58,000 - £68,600

AQA has an opportunity for an Information 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.

As the Information Architect you will operate within the Enterprise Architecture team working closely with the Enterprise Architect. You will drive and support the delivery of information architecture and related design activity in support of key programmes shaping and guiding such delivery in partnership with Solution and Information Architects within the Enterprise Architecture team.

What’s in it for me?

• 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 18.5% combined contribution
• Private Medical Insurance and a Health Care Cash Reward Plan
• A new Electric Vehicle Leasing Scheme
• Up to 5 days for volunteering
• Newly refurbished offices with a variety of individual and collaborative workspaces

Desirable Experience

• 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

How do I apply?

Please follow the link provided.

Applications will close at 23:59 on Friday 14th June

All applications will be responded to.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Summary

Purpose:
In your role as Information Architect you will operate within the (Enterprise Technology) Enterprise Architecture team working closely with the Enterprise Architect. You will drive and support the delivery of information architecture and related design activity in support of key programmes shaping and guiding such delivery in partnership with Solution and Information Architects within the Enterprise Architecture team.
You will 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.
You will support the delivery of effective architectural strategies within Enterprise Technology that promote proportionate and effective solutions and will engage with key internal stakeholders across Assessment Technology and (where appropriate) wider group entities to support alignment of approaches,
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 design, implement, guide and support the delivery of technology solutions to address business requirements and liaise between technology / business stakeholders, peers and colleagues both within the team and across the wider business.
You will provide information architecture consultancy support to colleagues and business stakeholders, providing effective and pragmatic architectural liaison in the drive to deliver proportionate and effective solutions that meet desired businesses outcomes.
You will maintain and apply a high level of technology design knowledge in the production of information architecture designs and solutions and demonstrate appropriately commensurate levels of knowledge and expertise across other related architectural areas.Landscape:
The Enterprise Technology Division sits within the Corporate Services Division enabling the centralised delivery of core corporate services. 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 Technology consists of the following functions:
Service Delivery
Enterprise IT Services (Core IT Delivery teams - desktop, systems & infrastructure)
Enterprise Applications
Architecture & Security
Architecture & Security consists of:
Architecture (including Enterprise oversight)
Security & Risk
Security Operations (including Security Operations Centre)
Data Protection & Compliance
The Architecture team compromises of 5 team members delivering into the roles of:
Enterprise Architect
Information Architect
Solution Architect(s)
Due to the nature of the role and function, stakeholder engagement with colleagues / teams within other AQA UK locations may be required.
Key relationships
Key internal (AQA Education and AQA Milton Keynes) relationships
Enterprise Technology functions
AQA Assessment Technology architecture and development teams
AQA Education business functions
Key external relationships
Third party technology providers
Relevant third-party providers
Other teams within the AQA Group (e.g. AlphaPlus and Doublestruck)
Activities:
To develop and take the lead in the area of Information Architecture whilst supporting colleagues in delivery against the other areas of Solution and Technology Architecture in the fulfilment of business requirements and delivery of Enterprise Technology priorities.
Assist in the development and maintenance of 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.
Support the Enterprise Architect in refreshing and implementing the AQA technology strategy, leading on specific areas as required.
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.
Undertake purposeful 'horizon scanning' ensuring that AQA is positioned well to be able to benefit from emerging technologies, architectures and standards.
As part of the evolution of the IT strategy, regularly review clear technology roadmaps and associated systems life cycles ensuring that AQA is able to identify technology opportunities and manage technology and architecture related risks effectively.
Review all systems solutions implemented to ensure compliance with the IT strategy (and related architectural policies), quantifying and proposing mitigations to any risks identified through effective operation of a ‘design control’ governance function.
Ensure architecture and standards maintained by the architecture team are fully compliant with all statutory and regulatory legislation.
Develop and maintain a systems catalogue of all systems, their interdependencies, technical profiles and their position in the estate.
Develop and maintain of high levels of technical expertise across all relevant areas to support good architectural design. Ensure aspects such as compatibility with current and future business strategy, integration with existing systems, support of business processes including usability and performance and ease of maintenance are key areas of focus in any designs.
Guide Enterprise Technology and support team members through relevant transformational activities, ensuring that team members remain motivated and engaged.
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.
Where business needs dictate to undertake other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level and may be outside the terms of this role profile.
To be successful in this role, you will need to know:
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
Extensive 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
Organises, plans and designs effectively whilst retaining focus on the bigger picture
Ability to frame information / data architecture trends and opportunities within AQA’s strategic objectives
Proven expertise in identifying and improving high level processes and ways of working
Aptitude for sharing and embedding best practice
Skills to build rapport and influence across a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders
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 environment