Enterprise Architect

As Enterprise Architect for the Digital Backbone, you provide strategic direction for Howden Group's core integration platform. You will define the enterprise architecture, govern API-first practices, and drive scalable integration across the group. You’ll lead architecture governance forums and mentor teams, enabling digital product delivery at scale. This role sits at the heart of Howden’s IT strategy, shaping the foundation for cross‑system collaboration and innovation.

• flexible hours
• hybrid working
• reasonable accommodations
• diversity and inclusion
• values-driven culture
• career development opportunities

• Define and own the enterprise architecture of the Digital Backbone across Howden Group
• Architect and lead API integrations, aligning with standards and strategic goals
• Drive API-first design and APIOps across the lifecycle, including deployment and governance automation
• Develop and maintain architecture artefacts (policies, principles, patterns, templates, capability models)
• Manage EA assets (catalogues, roadmaps, capability models) in the EA management repository
• Define and enforce standards for integration and API design within the Digital Backbone Technical Design Authority
• Chair architecture governance forums, develop decision frameworks, report governance metrics
• Perform architectural reviews and advise on integration patterns and compliance
• Identify and mitigate technical risks; ensure alignment with security and regulatory requirements
• Due diligence of vendor systems to ensure policy and standard alignment
• Evangelise the Digital Backbone through docs, communications, and stakeholder engagement
• Engage with change programmes and business stakeholders as an integration expert
• Mentor teams, foster innovation and continuous improvement in a collaborative, agile environment

• Strong enterprise architecture experience at group/global scale
• Expertise in enterprise integration patterns, API lifecycle management and governance
• Experience designing enterprise-scale API platforms using Azure (API Management, Logic Apps, Service Bus)
• Monitoring, telemetry, auditing, and metrics across integration platforms
• APIOps methodology understanding and API-first design
• Proficiency with Postman Enterprise, developer portals, API catalogues, and testing tools
• Scripting/automation skills (PowerShell, Pester, YAML, Spectral, Terraform)
• Capability models, catalogues, and roadmaps development experience (insurance domain preferred)
• Architecture governance experience (ARCH/RB, Design Authorities) and secure design practices
• Experience in regulated environments (FCA, PRA, GDPR) and enterprise change governance
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management with senior audiences

• Strong communication
• Collaboration across teams
• Mentoring and leadership
• Azure API Management
• Logic Apps
• Service Bus