Principal Core Enterprise Architect

Job summary

Can you set architectural direction that shapes the future of digital services used by millions across the UK?

Do you have the confidence and experience to lead enterprise level decision making, guide senior stakeholders, and influence the strategic direction of a large and complex organisation?

If you thrive on solving high risk technical challenges, developing architectural communities, and driving innovation that delivers real public value, we would love to hear from you.

At the DVLA we are looking for a Principal Enterprise Architect specialising in applications to help define and deliver the next generation of our digital ecosystem. You will lead the vision and strategy for enterprise architecture, setting the principles, standards and roadmaps that underpin our digital transformation. Working across domains, portfolios and programmes, you will help ensure our technology landscape is sustainable, secure and aligned to organisational goals.

This is a chance to operate at scale, shape long term direction, and support teams across DVLA to deliver modern, efficient and user focused services for citizens.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - Department for Transport Careers

Job description

We are seeking a Principal Enterprise Architect with a strong focus on application architecture to join our Architecture function. This role will provide strategic leadership and technical authority across the application estate, ensuring that application design and evolution align with business priorities, architectural principles and long term organisational strategy.

As a Principal Enterprise Architect, you will own and shape the enterprise application architecture, defining current state, future state and transition architectures. You will work across portfolios and programmes to guide decision making, promote reuse and consistency, and reduce complexity and risk. The role requires close collaboration with delivery teams, business stakeholders and fellow architects to ensure application solutions are scalable, resilient and deliver value for money.

This is a senior practitioner role that combines strategic thinking with hands on architectural leadership across multiple teams and initiatives.

Enterprise and Application Architecture

• Own the enterprise architecture vision, strategy and roadmaps from an application perspective, covering current, target and transitional states.
• Provide architectural direction for application platforms, products and services, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards and reference architectures.
• Guide architectural decision making to support reuse, sustainability and scalability across the application landscape.
• Identify priorities for change within the application estate to enable effective delivery at pace.

Architectural Governance and Assurance

• Establish and maintain architectural principles, policies and standards relating to application architecture.
• Provide architecture assurance for programmes and projects, addressing complex and high-risk design challenges.
• Support governance forums by presenting architectural options, risks and recommendations clearly and credibly.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Network and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders across digital, technology and business teams.
• Translate business needs into clear architectural outcomes, balancing strategic intent with delivery realities.
• Build strong working relationships that enable collaboration across organisational boundaries.

Leadership and Community Development

• Inspire, mentor and support other architects, helping to raise architectural capability and maturity across the agency.
• Contribute to the development of the architecture community of practice, sharing knowledge and promoting best practice.
• Carry out horizon scanning across industry and technology, identifying emerging trends and assessing their potential impact.

Delivery Support

• Support multiple delivery teams by promoting best practice and appropriate use of modern application technologies.
• Ensure application architecture is integrated throughout the delivery lifecycle, from discovery through to live service.

Your responsibilities will include but aren't limited to:

• Network and communicate with senior stakeholders across enterprises and actively seek opportunities for improvement.
• Support multiple communities and teams.
• Find and use best practice.
• Find and use emerging technologies and approaches.
• Inspire other enterprise architects and help them understand how to meet organisational goals.
• Horizon scan for external influences or risks.
• Support successful delivery of the long-term strategy.
• Be responsible for the overall direction of business and digital capabilities.
• Be responsible for the creation, maintenance and consumption of an Architectural Model.

Great line management is important to us as an organisation, and we will equip and support line managers to develop the skills they need. We aim to empower line managers to create teams where people can flourish and deliver excellent outcomes for the public.

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Open Sessions: Would you like to find out more about the role, the team and what it’s like to work in our department? If so, we are organising an open session where you can virtually 'meet the team' on Tuesday 3rd March at 12:00pm. Sign up here.

Person specification

• We’re looking for someone who brings real credibility as both a technical leader and a strategic thinker. You’ll have the confidence to set direction, the judgement to influence senior stakeholders and the ability to bring clarity to complex architectural challenges.
• You’ll be an excellent communicator who can present ideas clearly, tell the story behind the architecture and adapt your style to suit different audiences. Whether you’re working with engineers, product teams or senior leaders, you’ll make things easy to understand and drive people forward with you.
• You’ll naturally think beyond the here and now, stepping back to see the bigger picture and understanding how decisions today shape the organisation’s future. Your strategic mindset will help DVLA make the right choices and build services that stand the test of time.
• Collaboration will sit at the heart of how you work. You’ll enjoy bringing people together, building strong relationships and supporting others to grow. You’ll have a genuine commitment to mentoring and developing talent across the architecture community, helping individuals and teams to thrive.

The role is part of the Government Digital and Data profession and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.

The base pay is £69,501. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £28,560.

The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process. Here are more details on the pay framework.

Working for the DVLA Digital Team

At DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the nation. Here the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way 50 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some of the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative digital-led services help optimise a nation of individuals and business every single day.

To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our Inside DVLA blog.

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

This role is full time only. Full time roles at DVLA consist of 37 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (the location cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have a question about hybrid working, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role. To contact the vacancy holder, please use the job contact details listed under ‘Contact point for applicants’.

Visa Sponsorship

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

Security Clearance

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, 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.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• Architecture Communication – Expert
• Architect for the Whole Context – Expert
• Making Architectural Decisions – Expert
• Strategy Design – Expert

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £69,501, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £20,134 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Passionate, reliable and always willing to push yourself and those around you, you’ll continue to seek improvement in your own role and challenge us too. Because we pride ourselves on how we approach your development. From training courses to specialist skills workshops and opportunities to grow your expertise, we thrive when you thrive. You can find out more about all of the above here alongside a full list of our benefits:

• Best in class learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues
• Generous employer contribution of 28.97%, depending on chosen pension scheme
• Digital communities with clear career frameworks
• On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies)
• On-site nursery, restaurants and coffee bar
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Free Parking.

There are many more opportunities and great benefits of working at DVLA, visit our Careers website for further information.

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 Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How to apply:

Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant's qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV

Stage 2: Video Interview

Stage 3: Interview and Assessment

You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.

Stage 1: Sift
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV to Inspire People (our Recruitment Partners) which outlines your experience and suitability for the role (based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).

Upon receipt of your CV, DVLA Hiring Managers will complete a sift. Please note; the sift will be completed on a rolling basis whilst the campaign is still live and so there is potential for feedback to be shared with you (on your application) before the advert closes.

To apply please click 'Apply at advertiser's site' at the bottom of the page. For this role you will need to submit a CV. Within your CV please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following essential criteria:

• Significant experience operating as a senior or principal level architect, with responsibility for application architecture across complex organisations or portfolios

• Proven ability to define current, target and transitional application architectures, and to make and defend architectural decisions in complex or high risk environments

• Strong experience providing architectural leadership and assurance across multiple teams or programmes, ensuring alignment to enterprise standards and strategic objectives

If invited to interview, this may consist of a range of question types. These could include questions around behaviours and how you would respond in any situation as well as specific examples of things you have done.

The sift will take place on: 12th March 2026

Stage 2: Pre-recorded video interview

If at sift your application is successful, you will be invited to the first stage of the interview process (hosted by Inspire People), where you will be asked to complete a pre-recorded video interview (this again will be based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).

If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to a final stage interview and be conducted by DVLA Hiring Managers.

Stage 3 Interview and Assessment

If invited to interview, this may consist of a range of question types. These could include questions around behaviours and how you would respond in any situation as well as specific examples of things you have done.

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:

• An interview

Behaviours

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical Skills

• Architecture Communication – Expert
• Architect for the Whole Context – Expert
• Making Architectural Decisions – Expert
• Strategy Design – Expert

Final stage interviews will take place from 23rd March 2026.

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

This interview will be conducted remotely via Microsoft Teams, details of which will be provided, should you be selected for interview.

Please familiarise yourself with the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Frameworkas you will be tested on elements of these during the interview stage.

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.

Further information on the selection process

Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

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

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Zymante Gintalaite
• Email : Zymante@inspirepeople.net

Recruitment team

• Email : Zymante@inspirepeople.net

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here

Attachments

Role Profile Opens in new window (pdf, 256kB)DVLA Digital Job Brochure - V1 2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 2038kB)