Head of Digital Architecture

Head of Digital Architecture – London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

UK Job Opportunity: Head of Digital Architecture

Employer: London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Job Title: Head of Digital Architecture
Location: Trust HQ, Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8SD
Salary: £88,250 – £100,355 per annum, including HCAS
NHS Pay Band: Band 8c
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time
Date Posted: 27 August 2026
Closing Date: 13 September 2026
Job Reference: 308-CORP-3309

Skilled Worker Sponsorship: Applications from candidates requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome and will be considered alongside other applications.

About the Role

The London Ambulance Service NHS Trust is seeking an experienced technology leader to join its Digital & Data Directorate as Head of Digital Architecture.

The London Ambulance Service depends on highly available, reliable, sustainable and cost-effective digital services to support the delivery of urgent and emergency care.

This senior leadership position will play a critical role in ensuring that the Trust’s digital and data services are appropriately evaluated, designed and aligned with its strategic objectives, business requirements and long-term plans.

The successful candidate will serve as the principal specialist and owner of the Digital Architecture Department, providing senior leadership, architectural direction and governance across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

The Head of Digital Architecture will be responsible for providing leadership and expertise across the Trust’s digital architecture function.

Key responsibilities include:

Digital Architecture Leadership

• Provide leadership and governance for Digital Architecture services.
• Own and oversee architecture policies, mandates, processes, procedures and reports.
• Lead the operation of the Architecture Review Board.
• Develop and maintain effective architectural governance across the Trust.
• Provide architectural expertise, direction and assistance to staff and managers within and outside the Digital & Data Directorate.

Technology Strategy and Roadmaps

• Identify the Trust’s current business and technology architectures.
• Develop joined-up target architectures across business areas.
• Create long-term technology roadmaps to support the Trust’s digital transformation.
• Ensure technology roadmaps are aligned with the Trust’s strategic goals, business needs and future vision.
• Help establish a clear direction for the organisation’s future digital capabilities.

Systems and Technology Design

• Lead the design of information, software and infrastructure systems and services across LAS functions.
• Apply standardised architectural principles to technology design.
• Ensure digital services are appropriately available, resilient and secure.
• Support the development of sustainable and cost-effective digital solutions.

Architecture Governance and Standards

• Ensure digital architecture is aligned with established processes and principles.
• Promote standardisation of digital products and services.
• Monitor and improve Architecture services against recognised Architecture Maturity Models and standards.
• Support governance, compliance and effective management of the Trust’s digital environment.

Business Requirements and Digital Transformation

• Review and interpret business requirements.
• Ensure digital architecture responds appropriately to organisational needs.
• Align customer expectations with future digital capabilities.
• Translate strategic and business intelligence into operational plans.
• Work across professional and organisational boundaries to achieve effective outcomes.

About London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

The London Ambulance Service’s 2023–2028 strategy is built around three key missions:

Our Care

Deliver outstanding emergency and urgent care whenever and wherever it is needed.

Our Organisation

Develop an increasingly inclusive, well-led and highly skilled organisation that people are proud to work for.

Our London

Use the Trust’s unique pan-London position to contribute to improving the health of the capital.

The Trust has established 50 commitments to help deliver these missions over the five-year strategy period.

Essential Qualifications

Applicants should meet the following essential qualification requirements:

• Educated to Master’s degree level in an IT-related subject, or equivalent extensive senior technical management experience within an IT department.
• ITIL Foundation level qualification.
• TOGAF Foundation 9.2 or 10 qualification.

Essential Experience

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Extensive specialist experience in technology design and technology roadmaps.
• Recent and relevant senior management-level experience within a large organisation.
• Experience working in a Senior Enterprise Architect or Senior Technical Architect role.

Essential Knowledge and Skills

The successful candidate should have:

• Knowledge of frameworks and standards for solution architecture, such as IEEE 1016-2009.
• The ability to create a clear vision and translate business intelligence into operational plans.
• Highly developed negotiation and influencing skills.
• The ability to work effectively across professional and organisational boundaries.
• Strong senior-level architectural and technology leadership capability.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity may be particularly suitable for experienced technology professionals with backgrounds such as:

• Senior Enterprise Architect
• Senior Technical Architect
• Head of Architecture
• Digital Architecture Lead
• Enterprise Architecture Manager
• Technology Architecture Leader
• Senior IT Architecture Manager
• Digital Transformation Architecture leadership

Candidates should be able to demonstrate substantial experience leading architecture functions and developing technology strategies and roadmaps within large organisations.

Skilled Worker Visa Sponsorship

Important: The employer states that applications from job seekers who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications.

This means candidates requiring sponsorship can apply; however, sponsorship is not automatically guaranteed and applicants must meet the relevant eligibility and recruitment requirements.

Applicants should review the latest UK immigration requirements before applying.

DBS Check

This position is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975.

A DBS check will therefore be required to check for previous criminal convictions.

Salary and Employment Details

Job Location

Trust HQ
Waterloo Road
London
SE1 8SD
United Kingdom

Important Application Information

Applicants are advised to carefully read all information contained in the job description and person specification before completing their application.

The employer may close the vacancy early if it receives a high volume of applications.

For this reason, interested candidates should consider submitting their application before the stated closing date rather than waiting until the final day.

How to Apply

Interested candidates can apply through the official NHS Jobs application portal.

Application deadline: 13 September 2026

Apply for Head of Digital Architecture

Employer Contact

For questions about this vacancy:

Contact: Paul Schack
Position: Director of Digital Services
Email: paul.schack@nhs.net

Employer

London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

Address:
Trust HQ
Waterloo Road
London
SE1 8SD
United Kingdom

Employer website:
https://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/

Key Takeaways

• Senior Band 8c NHS digital leadership position.
• Salary of £88,250 – £100,355 per annum including HCAS.
• Permanent, full-time position.
• Based in London.
• Requires substantial senior architecture and technology leadership experience.
• ITIL Foundation and TOGAF Foundation 9.2 or 10 are listed as essential qualifications.
• Applications requiring current Skilled Worker sponsorship are welcome.
• DBS check applies.
• Vacancy was posted 27 August 2026.
• Closing date is 13 September 2026.
• The employer may close the vacancy early if sufficient applications are received.

Final Reminder

Always review the official vacancy, job description and person specification before applying. Ensure that your qualifications, professional experience and immigration status meet the requirements of the role.

Job Reference: 308-CORP-3309

Closing Date: 13 September 2026