Lead Architect

Job Title                     Lead Architect

Function:                   Data & Tech

Location:                    Flexible on location but required in Nottingham office regularly

Contract type:           Permanent

Closing Date:            Friday 12^th December 2025

NHS Supply Chain currently has an opportunity for a Lead Architect to join our team during an exciting period of transformation, working to make it easier for the NHS to put patients first.

NHS Supply Chain are recruiting for Lead Architects to fill several roles focused on Oracle ERP, Supply Chain, and Digital eCommerce. These roles will drive a complex multi-year programme that will simplify and transform all aspects of the business and is a key enabler for the delivery of the company vision of £1Billion of annual savings back into frontline NHS Services.

To support this programme, the Data and Technology directorate is in the final stages of transitioning to a Service Integration and Management (SIAM) model, OneIT, led by an internal team with multiple Service Providers delivering an end-to-end suite of services across Service Integration and Helpdesk, Modern Workplace services, Infrastructure and Networks, Application Development, Support and Management and Cyber Security.

In combination with this, Ways of Working are transforming away from a traditional delivery method to an agile, product approach and mindset.

These three elements provide NHS Supply Chain with the technology, approach and structure that are the strategic foundations for NHS Supply Chain modernisation.

Reporting to the Head of Domain for their respective areas, and working closely with business stakeholders, these roles are accountable for leading and directing our strategic Service Providers through the successful technology elements of the transformation programme and creating ongoing business value by driving our existing product roadmaps forward.

Effective delivery will require seamless coordination across the other Data and Technology domains and broader organisation to plan and execute a seamless transition from legacy systems and ways of working with zero business impact.

 You will own the technical relationship with Service Providers and vendors embedding policies, standards and controls into the platform architecture, ensuring a secure, scalable, available and performing services that meet the needs of the business.

Every day you will…

• Work closely with the Head of Domain to build and maintain a relationship with the Executive and Senior Leadership team within SCCL and maintain a wide view of the technology landscape, investigate solutions, apply business acumen and develop quality deliverables to support decisions.
• Perform a crucial role in Architectural Governance, working alongside the Enterprise Architect and IT Modernisation Office team to ensure that the right decisions are made and upheld.
• Own and maintain a view of the Technical roadmaps for their Domain.
• Owns architectural relationships and interfaces with software vendors and IT Service Providers.
• Drives business engagement to understand, challenge and document strategic business needs, translating these into scope, objectives and outcomes.
• Liaise with the Strategy team to inform and be informed of the current Business Strategy, Drivers and Vision.
• Work with Business Transformation leads to own and constantly maintain a roadmap to ensure alignment with the Business Strategy.
• Work with the ePMO team, business and architecture functions to create Value Cases, including architectural visions and other supporting architectural artefacts for submission to the Investment Committee.
• Work with business units to help turn their ideas and solutions into documented roadmaps and identify the benefit and value of their requested changes.

What can we offer you?

We want to reward you for your passion, enthusiasm, and hard work, so we offer much more than a competitive salary:

• Hybrid working opportunities, giving you the flexibility to work collaboratively in the office and remotely.  
• We recognise our employees’ hard work and contributions through annual bonus schemes, long-service awards, and VIP colleague awards. 
• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days.
• We are dedicated to your development, through in-house training, support, and access to external qualifications to maximise your potential.
• A focus on your well-being, offering 1 day of paid well-being leave and free access to the 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Generous pension scheme (with us contributing 12% when you contribute 6%)

• Access to our Flexible Benefits Scheme, where you can choose from a variety of benefits such as Life Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, Income Protection, Health Cash Plan, Dental Insurance, and additional pension contributions that suit you.

• 2 days of paid volunteering leave, allowing you to give back to your community. 
• Access to many discounts from the Blue Light Card to NHS Discounts.

NHS Supply Chain, who are we?

Our role is to support the NHS to save lives and improve health. We are a part of the NHS family, and our role is to source, deliver and supply healthcare products, services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales.

 We serve every NHS Trust and operate a national network of distribution centres, managing relationships with more than a thousand suppliers and delivering more than 8,000,000 orders each year to more than 17,000 locations. Doing all of this on behalf of the NHS gives NHS staff more time to focus on their main priority of providing excellent patient care.

 What skills will help you thrive in this role?

• Proven track record of driving and leading large-scale transformation from inception to completion within your respective specialism; Oracle ERP, Supply Chain, or Digital and eCommerce
• Experience within a Supply Chain context.
• Experience in planning and coordinating complex transitions and migrations.
• Knowledge of IT Quality Assurance processes.
• Demonstrable hands-on experience and a comprehensive understanding of building and leading an architecture practice.
• Architectural leadership within a Cloud and SaaS context.
• Experience within Solution Design & Architecture.
• Robust knowledge within Security Architecture.
• Experience in all aspects of the software development lifecycle.
• In-depth ITIL Knowledge.
• Experience in reviewing and selecting Technical and Applications Architectures solutions.
• Experience in supporting the procurement of IT Architecture and services. 
• Experience of working with 3rd party Technical and Application Architects
• Outstanding analytical skills.
• Exceptional strategic planning and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work within pressurised environments whilst making decisive decisions.

Want to develop your career with the NHS Supply Chain? Then apply below or reach out for an informal discussion about the role in confidence by emailing us at Careers@supplychain.nhs.uk  

Our Inclusive Commitment  

At NHS Supply Chain, we are committed to building an inclusive environment where difference is not only valued but celebrated, allowing everyone to thrive in their career. Developing our people is key to our success, so if this role sounds like the right next step in your career but your experience doesn’t match perfectly with the job advert, we encourage you to still apply.  

Struggling to complete our application form, and require additional support? Reach out to our Talent Acquisition team at careers@supplychain.nhs.uk, who will be happy to help you with alternative ways to apply. 

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