Architecture Operations Manager

Company Description

Come join us and make a difference in the world!

Discover more at

Please be aware this role can be hybrid office based or remote subject to location.

We are seeking an Architecture Operations Manager to drive operational excellence within our Architecture & Design practice. Reporting to the Architecture Practice Manager, you will join a diverse architecture team comprising enterprise, security, and technical solution architecture specialists. This pivotal role ensures portfolio transparency, delivery coordination, and effective engagement with the wider business, while championing innovation and continuous improvement aligned with NEC SWS values:
Involved, Innovative, Inspiring, Improve.

The Architecture Operations Manager plays a critical role in enabling the Architecture & Design practice to deliver high‑quality outcomes efficiently and consistently. This role focuses on operational leadership, workload management, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that architecture delivery is well‑coordinated, transparent, and aligned with organisational priorities. Working collaboratively is essential to understand work requests from the business, allocate resources effectively, and feed insights into workforce planning and capability development.

• Maintain and manage the Architecture Workload Portfolio, ensuring clarity, prioritisation, and transparency of all work items.
• Drive end‑to‑end delivery orchestration, collaborating with architects, engineers, and project managers to move initiatives from investigation through design to implementation.
• Champion proactive continuous prioritisation and resource allocation to align skills with business needs and strategic priorities.

• Execute architecture governance processes, ensuring compliance with NEC SWS standards.
• Attend the Project Change Approval Board (PCAB) to understand new work requests, ensuring appropriate resource allocation of architecture team members to project team and manage architecture‑only work items.
• Promote accountability and auditability by maintaining accurate records of decisions, actions, and outcomes.

• Act as a trusted partner to internal and external stakeholders, building strong relationships to clarify scope, resolve issues, and accelerate progress.
• Handle escalations with confidence and agility, safeguarding service continuity and customer satisfaction.

• Foster a culture of continuous learning through induction programmes, training sessions, and knowledge‑sharing initiatives.
• Curate and maintain design artefacts and knowledge repositories to ensure accuracy and accessibility.

• Champion innovative approaches, exploring new tools and technologies to enhance productivity and modernise architecture practices.
• Lead process improvement initiatives to streamline workflows and improve efficiency and quality.

• Ensure transparent time and effort reporting to support effective planning and accountability.
• Optimise team capacity by rebalancing assignments to maximise utilisation and maintain delivery momentum.

• Inspire and involve the team through regular catch‑ups, practice calls, and collaborative sessions.
• Organise and support team events to reinforce NEC SWS values and create an inclusive, motivating environment.
• Provide line management for team members, supporting their individual personal development and general wellbeing.

• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent organisational and prioritisation abilities.
• Deep understanding of architecture governance and delivery processes.
• Ability to inspire and develop high‑performing teams.
• Commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

• Formal project or programme management qualifications:
  Prince2, PMP, MSP.
• Experience managing projects involving the design and implementation of:
• Enterprise and security architecture solutions.
• Multi‑tenanted community cloud platform.
• Solutions deployed to…