Senior Enterprise Architect - Birmingham

Senior Enterprise Architect - Birmingham About the job

Job summary

Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you're seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it's really like to work at HMRC.

Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.

At HMRC we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues; an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve.

We want to maximise the potential of everyone who chooses to work for us and we offer a range of flexible working patterns and support to make a fulfilling career at HMRC.

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success, and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.

HMRC is building a modern, digital tax administration, and currently runs the biggest digital operation in Government. With 50 million customers to serve, over 60 thousand colleagues to support, and £700 billion to collect to fund UK Plc, our IT operation is huge.

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to join HMRC's Enterprise Architecture - Standards, Tools and Artefacts team, a dynamic group working across one of the largest and most complex IT estates in Europe. Our mission is to deliver an architecture strategy that underpins modern, internal-facing services and drives transformation at scale.

As a Senior Enterprise Architect, you will play a pivotal role in shaping HMRC's technology direction. You'll create and evolve strategic roadmaps, influence policy, and ensure architectural decisions align with organisational goals. Your work will directly impact HMRC's ability to deliver secure, scalable, and innovative solutions for colleagues and customers.

The main responsibilities include developing and maintaining a comprehensive IT architecture strategy by setting standards, technical policy, and direction for HMRC's IT estate. This involves creating and managing reference architectures, defining metadata and taxonomies, and ensuring architectural decisions are aligned with strategic goals and best practices.

There is a strong focus on supporting solution design to maximise technology investments, driving innovation, and promoting the standardisation and adoption of enterprise architecture tools and practices. Balanced governance is essential, encouraging both compliance and flexibility, while processes are streamlined to achieve efficiency and scalability.

Person specification

The successful candidate will optimise EA processes and tool usage for efficiency and scalability, design templates, enforce data standards, and manage artefact catalogues within EA tooling. They will model complex systems logically and communicate technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences, develop and maintain architectural standards aligned with the enterprise IT strategy, and provide consultancy and guidance to build internal capability and foster a self-sustaining architecture community all while understanding commercial and sourcing strategies to support enterprise impact.

Please note: Security Check (SC) clearance level, either already held or willing to obtain, is a requirement of this role. Please see Additional Security Information and Security sections below.

Essential Criteria:

Architecture Tooling & Governance

• Strategic Tooling & Standards Management: Experience in strategic enterprise architecture tooling and governance, with proven ability to implement repository-backed modelling solutions and manage artefact catalogues. Skilled in advocating for tooling adoption and establishing robust governance frameworks to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Governance & Standardisation: Ability to structure and standardise deliverables for reuse, propose governance standards to maintain architectural integrity, and expertise in developing and maintaining architectural standards aligned with enterprise IT strategy and best practices.

Architecture Domains & Frameworks

• Framework & Notation Familiarity: Familiarity with established frameworks such as TOGAF or Zachman and notations like ArchiMate. Supported by strong knowledge across all architectural domains (Business, Data, Application and Technology).

Communication & Strategy

• Stakeholder Management: Proven stakeholder management experience with ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all organisational levels, effectively translating complex architectural concepts into clear, meaningful insights tailored to diverse audiences and varying levels of technical understanding.

GDAD Capability Allowance:

The advertised role is part of the Government Digital and Data Profession and has access to a Capability-Based Allowance. Any allowance awarded will be based on an assessment, at interview, of your capability against the skills advertised for this role. Please see the attached candidate pack for more information.

The allowance values are set by HMRC, subject to remaining in a qualifying role, and are non-pensionable. This allowance is non-contractual, subject to an annual review and could be withdrawn at any time.

For both new entrants and existing civil servants, the total reward compensation offer is a combination of base salary and, if applicable, a capability-based allowance. New entrants to the Civil Service will start on the pay range minimum. For existing civil servants, our policies on level transfer and promotion will apply.

For more information, please visit the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

About the Capability Assessment

Candidates will be assessed during the recruitment process against the skills in the Government Digital & Data Profession Capability Framework.

The assessment determines the candidate's capability level, each level corresponds to a different allowance value up to £12,000:

• Accomplished
• Proficient
• Developing

Total renumeration (base salary + allowance) cannot exceed the GDaD Pay Framework Maximums. These are shown in the Candidate Pack attached.

Capability will be reassessed on an annual basis. Note - payment of the current year allowance will cease on 31/5/2026 and recommence after the 2026 pay award has been paid to HMRC employees (expected to be October), as salary changes must be considered when calculating the amount of GDaD allowance to pay. Once the allowance restarts, any arrears due will be backdated to the 01 June 2026 (or start date thereafter).

Candidates who are offered a post will be notified of their allowance and total salary package at the earliest opportunity and before their start date.

Throughout the application process, you will be assessed using the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework, Senior Enterprise Architecture role, against the technical skills listed.

Additional Location information - Transitional sites:

For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

If your location preference is for one of the following sites, it's important to note that these are not long-term sites for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.

These sites are:

• Benton Park View, Newcastle - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle.
• Telford Plaza, Telford - moving to Parkside Court, Telford.

You will be given more information about what this means at the job offer stage.

Leeds Location:

Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC's Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Architect for the whole context
• Architecture communication
• Making architectural decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £58,541, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £16,959 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.

We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.

• Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
• Family friendly policies.
• Personal support.
• Coaching and development.

To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it's really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Experience and Technical skills.

This vacancy will also be using the Enterprise architect - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework, Senior Enterprise Architecture role, to assess your Technical Skills and experience at sift and interview.

How to Apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:

• A name-blind CV, to include your full Employment History, education and professional qualifications, providing details of key achievements for each job/role.
• A 1000-word Personal Statement, describing how your skills and experience meet the Essential Criteria, and the five Technical Skills; Commercial perspective, Community collaboration, Enterprise Architecture, Problem definition and shaping, Strategy design. You should provide specific instances to demonstrate your suitability for the role.

Important information:

• Please attach your CV as a separate additional document in either PDF or Word format, no bigger than 5MB.
• Personal details that could be used to identify you including your name, contact details and address must be removed for your application to be considered.
• Please do not include any personal details in your document title.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

At full sift your CV and Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.

We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.

Interview

During the panel interview, you will be asked Experience-based questions, and questions on the remaining Technical Skills:

• Architect for the whole context
• Architecture communication
• Making architectural decisions

You will be asked at least 1 question per technical skill to assess your suitability for the position. When answering you will be required to provide a specific example which demonstrates the technical skill.
You are advised to apply the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) technique when delivering examples. You are encouraged to prepare demonstratable examples of your experience ahead of the interview to ensure meaningfulness and completeness.

You will also be asked to prepare and deliver a 10-minute presentation, using slides and narration, describing "the approach for designing and implementing an Architectural Repository within a large public sector organisation". The presentation should also include recommended governance procedures for ensuring ongoing integrity and value of the repository throughout its lifecycle within the organisation.

Interviews will take place via video link (Microsoft Teams).

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, please contact us via: [email protected] - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]'

To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.

The HMRC app can help you with your application

The HMRC app can provide you with your past 5 years' employment history, making the process of filling in your application quicker and easier.

If successful in your application, you will need your National Insurance number for the onboarding process.

Download the HMRC app now and save your National Insurance number to your digital phone wallet.

How to download the HMRC app and sign up for an account:

Download the free HMRC app from the App Store or Google Play store.

If you have an HMRC online account already, sign straight in using your ID and password. If not, you can prove your identity by answering some questions or providing your photo ID.

You'll then be able to access the app quickly and easily by signing in using a 6-digit PIN, your fingerprint or facial recognition.

You can find guidance for technical issues on GOV.UK: Technical support with HMRC online services.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.

Criminal Record Check

Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.

Merit List

After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.

Hybrid working at HMRC

HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).

Reasonable Adjustments

We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact the UBS Recruitment Team via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the "Assistance required" section in the "Additional requirements" page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Additional Security Information

Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.

From 1 April 2026, applicants will be required to meet updated nationality and residency requirements so that National Security Vetting (NSV) checks can be conducted. If this affects you, we will give you more information at the appropriate time.

Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers

This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the 'location preferences' section that you can travel to.

Terms and Conditions

Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.

HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.

The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.

Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.

Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.

Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.

Please note that if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.

If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).