Our vision is a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases. A world where everyone has a healthier heart, for longer.
British Heart Foundation (BHF) is the leading independent funder of research into heart and circulatory diseases, and the largest charity retailer in the UK. Our lifesaving work is advanced by investment in medical research – we have over £400 million of BHF-funded research underway, with an aspiration to invest £1 billion in research over the next ten years.
The BHF has an exciting opportunity for an exceptional leader to join as our new Director of Architecture and Software Engineering, who will play an instrumental part in leading and driving impact across both the Architecture and Software Engineering technical functions.
You’ll be leading and collaborating to deliver the overarching technical vision for BHF’s Architecture, enabling the team to effectively govern the architecture within their respective domains, as well as Software Engineering and enabling the team to effectively build, test and deploy updates across technical environments.
Ensuring the wider technology portfolios have the right capabilities and that there is strong community for the capabilities to support, develop skills and collaborate, you’ll lead teams to deliver against BHF’s priorities in a structured, cohesive and supported manner through effective control across technical design authority forums.
You’ll ensure knowledge management is protected and stored securely as well as act as an ambassador for technology, communicating the art of the possible and value of technology to a wide audience, sharing insights and market trends to enhance the knowledge and empower BHF.
Working arrangements
This is a hybrid role, where your work will be split between your home and at least one day per week, on average, in our London Office. This may vary from time to time, so you will need to work in a flexible way to unlock your best work for our cause.
About you
With a deep understanding of enterprise and solution architecture frameworks, you’ll have expertise in modern engineering practices as well as a strong understanding of cloud platforms.
You’ll have knowledge of data architecture, integration patterns, and API management, as well as knowledge of big data technologies (Microsoft Service Bus, Lakehouse, Databricks) and awareness of cybersecurity principles and regulatory compliance
With extensive experience working in a senior engineering and/or architecture (EA or SA) role, you’ll have the following skills and experience:
- Broad experience in team leadership and competency development.
- Broad experience in all aspects of architecture covering data, security, applications and infrastructure.
- Experience in designing, developing, and supporting technology solutions.
- Experience in managing and working with virtual, international and matrixed teams, as well as 3rd parties.
- A Strategic thinker, able to align architecture with organisational goals
- Deep understanding and knowledge of emerging technologies
- Leadership and team development experience across architecture and engineering disciplines
- Previous stakeholder engagement and communication at all levels, including non-technical audience
- Previous vendor and partner management, including contract negotiation and performance oversight
With a collaborative and inclusive leadership style, comfortable working across large hybrid teams, you’ll have a strong sense of accountability and integrity and will be resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
About us
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. By funding research for over six decades, we’ve helped keep millions of hearts beating and millions of families together. We’re investing in ground-breaking research that will get us closer than ever to a world free from the fear of heart and circulatory diseases.
We value and respect every individual’s unique contribution, celebrate diversity, and make inclusion part of what we do every day.
Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, Igniting Change, along with our internal EDI group, Kaleidoscope, and a growing number of employee network groups (our Affinity Groups), help us create an environment where all our colleagues and volunteers can succeed.
Interview process
First stage interviews will be held, via MS Teams on 3rd and 4th November. Successful candidates will then be invited to attend an in-person interview, at our London offices, on 11th November. This in person interview will include a Q&A session, a presentation element and a wider stakeholder panel session.
How to apply
It’s quick and easy to apply for a role at the BHF. Just click on the apply button below. All you’ll need is an up-to-date CV and a supporting statement, outlining your interest in the role and how you meet the role’s criteria.
As part of our commitment to be an inclusive employer and ensure fairness and consistency in selecting the best candidate for this role, the BHF will use anonymous CV software as part of the application journey.
Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us.