Chief Architect

Chief Architect – Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

Are you an Enterprise Architect with the vision and technical leadership to shape the future of DVLA's digital services as Chief Architect? Can you inspire teams and drive architectural strategies that transform how millions interact with DVLA's services? If so, this is your opportunity to be part of one of the most ambitious digital programmes in government! Hybrid working (minimum 60% of time in Swansea), base pay range £69,501 to £98,061 plus a generous Civil Service Pension of 28.97%.

This range is provided by Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Direct message the job poster from Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)

As Chief Architect within the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), you’ll be at the heart of modernising services used by millions of people every day. This senior leadership role is pivotal in shaping technical services and selecting platforms and technologies that meet organisational needs and deliver outstanding user experiences. It requires engaging and influencing senior leaders, Executive and Board level stakeholders to secure alignment and buy‑in for architectural strategies that drive digital transformation across the organisation.

• Network and communicate with senior stakeholders across organisations. Oversee prospective information gathering and scene‑setting meetings with other government departments, evaluate technical proposals and act as arbiter in making recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Proactively seek opportunities for digital transformation, directing the development of architectures for complex systems and ensuring consistency with specified requirements agreed with internal and external customers.
• Support multiple teams, finding and using best practice and emerging technologies. Oversee work with external suppliers to ensure that DVLA’s reference architecture is robust, scalable, open and secure, with appropriate overall system design and integration points/APIs to deliver a high‑quality user experience.
• Inspire other architects and help them understand how to deliver the goals of the organisation, providing strategic technical leadership in the development, operation and ongoing improvement of complex, transformational digital services that serve millions of users.
• Be responsible for architectural governance, solving complex and high‑risk issues or delivering architecture design. Provide line management support to develop skills and empower teams to flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

• Significant architecture expertise with hands‑on experience in real‑world systems and proven experience in shaping technical services and selecting platforms and technologies that meet organisational requirements and user needs.
• Exceptional leadership and influencing skills with a proven ability to lead skilled architecture teams in a fast‑paced, evolving technology landscape. Align business strategies with technology direction, setting standards that enable transformation and innovation.
• Proven ability to communicate complex technical strategies and business impacts to non‑technical audiences, including senior team and Executive level stakeholders, inspiring confidence and commitment.

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days) plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday.
• Flexible working options encouraging a great work‑life balance.

Please note that DVLA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and is unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. Candidates will be required to have at least 5 years continuous residency in the UK. All applicants for this role must ensure that they meet this minimum residency requirement - if you do not, your application will be withdrawn.

The interviews will take place from 30th January 2026 and will be conducted in person at our Swansea office (DVLA, Swansea, SA6 7JL). Further details will be provided should you be selected for interview.

Director

Full‑time

Information Technology

Government Administration

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