Head of Enterprise Architecture

Company Overview

Xoserve is the Central Data Services Provider (CDSP) to Great Britain's gas market, delivering the systems, services and data that underpin the efficient operation of the industry. Working collaboratively with customers, regulators and industry stakeholders, Xoserve enables market change, regulatory compliance and the transition towards a more data-driven energy future.

As custodian of critical industry data and services, Xoserve sits at the intersection of business, data and technology, supporting both organisational objectives and wider industry outcomes.

Xoserve has expressed an interest to Ofgem to undertake a new role of Gas Network Code Manager which is responsible for ensuring that Ofgem’s annual Strategic Direction Statement Is translated into an action plan which is then delivered. Xoserve was the only party that was requested to advance to a Licensing Assessment, and a further announcement is expected imminently from Ofgem. Should Xoserve be successful it will be a significant expansion of its role and a key one in supporting the energy transition including Net Zero delivery.

Role Summary

The Head of Enterprise Architecture leads Xoserve's Enterprise Architecture function and is responsible for ensuring business, data and technology strategies remain aligned and support organisational objectives.

The role provides architectural leadership across strategic initiatives, technology investments and transformation programmes, helping the organisation make better decisions, reduce complexity and deliver successful change.

Working closely with business leaders, technology teams, delivery partners, customers and industry stakeholders, the Head of Enterprise Architecture develops roadmaps, standards and architecture insights that support organisational performance and long-term strategic goals.

The role contributes architectural expertise to industry discussions and change initiatives, ensuring Xoserve's architecture remains aligned with evolving industry requirements, regulatory obligations and market priorities.

The successful candidate will establish Enterprise Architecture as a trusted business partner, helping connect strategy to execution and ensuring technology investments deliver measurable value.

Responsibilities

Strategic Architecture Leadership

· Define and maintain Xoserve's Enterprise Architecture vision, principles, standards and roadmaps.

· Develop architecture strategies and target-state architectures aligned to business objectives.

· Provide architectural insight to support strategic planning and investment decisions.

· Maintain a clear view of business capabilities, information assets, applications and technology platforms.

· Assess strategic options, dependencies, risks and trade-offs to support informed decision-making.

· Lead architecture governance, review and assurance activities.

· Promote architecture best practice and continuous improvement across the organisation.

Business and Data Alignment

· Develop and maintain business capability models and key architecture artefacts.

· Ensure technology investments are aligned with business priorities and strategic outcomes.

· Define and maintain enterprise data architecture and information management standards.

· Support the development of trusted, high-quality and well-governed information assets.

· Promote consistency and alignment across business, data and technology domains.

· Support the development of business and technology roadmaps that enable organisational objectives.

Technology and Transformation

· Provide architecture leadership across SAP and enterprise platforms.

· Support technology modernisation, cloud adoption and application rationalisation initiatives.

· Assess the architectural impact of major programmes, projects and investments.

· Promote scalable, resilient and maintainable technology solutions.

· Reduce technology complexity and technical debt across the estate.

· Ensure technology roadmaps support both current and future business needs.

Governance, Risk and Assurance

· Operate architecture governance forums and design authority processes.

· Establish and maintain architecture standards, principles and policies.

· Identify and manage architectural, information and technology risks.

· Ensure architectural impacts and dependencies are understood before significant change is implemented.

· Support proactive management of technology lifecycle, resilience and obsolescence risks.

· Monitor compliance with agreed architecture standards and design principles.

Industry Alignment and Stakeholder Engagement

· Build effective relationships with customers, regulators, service providers and industry stakeholders.

· Represent Enterprise Architecture in relevant industry forums, working groups and change initiatives.

· Monitor industry developments, market reforms and emerging requirements, assessing their implications for Xoserve.

· Contribute architectural expertise to industry discussions and collaborative change activities.

· Support the development of common approaches to information management, integration and interoperability where appropriate.

· Ensure Xoserve architecture roadmaps remain aligned with industry priorities and regulatory obligations.

· Work collaboratively with industry participants to understand future business, data and technology requirements.

Leadership Responsibilities

· Lead and develop a high-performing architecture team.

· Build architecture capability across business, data and technology disciplines.

· Foster strong collaboration between business and technology teams.

· Promote architecture as an enabler of business outcomes and successful delivery.

· Provide coaching and guidance to architects, project teams and senior stakeholders.

· Act as a visible representative of the Enterprise Architecture function with customers and industry stakeholders.

· Build trusted relationships that strengthen collaboration across Xoserve and the wider industry ecosystem.

Specialist/Technical Expertise

Essential

· Significant experience in Enterprise Architecture or a senior architecture leadership role.

· Strong understanding of Enterprise Architecture frameworks such as TOGAF or equivalent.

· Experience across business, data, application and technology architecture disciplines.

· Experience developing architecture roadmaps and target-state architectures.

· Experience supporting large-scale business and technology transformation programmes.

· Knowledge of SAP-centric enterprise environments.

· Understanding of data governance, information management and analytics capabilities.

· Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills.

· Experience working with a broad stakeholder community comprising business, technology and external parties.

· Experience translating regulatory, customer or market requirements into architecture roadmaps and technology plans.

Desirable

· Experience within utilities, energy or other regulated sectors.

· Understanding of UK gas market processes and industry governance.

· Experience supporting SAP transformation and cloud modernisation initiatives.

· Experience engaging with regulators, industry bodies or market participants.

· Knowledge of industry data standards, interoperability and information-sharing challenges.

· Knowledge of integration, analytics and modern digital platforms.

What we offer:

· A competitive annual salary, reflective of your skills and experience

· Discretionary individual performance bonus linked to your overall contribution

· Generous pension scheme to support your long-term financial wellbeing - up to 12% employer contribution

· Life insurance providing peace of mind for you and your family

· 36 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays) to rest and recharge

· Income protection to support you should illness or injury prevent you from working

· Enhanced annual leave options, including the ability to purchase additional holiday each year

· Enhanced family friendly policies

· Access to Private Medical Insurance for you and your family (Bupa)

· Health cashback plan for you and up to four dependent children (Medicash)

· 24/7 virtual GP, plus remote Physiotherapy, Mental Health Support, and Medical Second Opinion (Help@Hand)

· Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme (Octopus EV)

· Free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme (LifeWorks)

· Commitment to ongoing learning and development opportunities

· Financial support for one annual professional membership subscription

· A wide range of wellbeing initiatives

· Discounts on high street retailers, supermarkets, cinema tickets, holidays, and more

· Paid volunteering hours to support our local communities

· Opportunity to take part in our twice yearly employee events, social activities, and ongoing engagement initiatives

This is a hybrid role based in our Solihull office, with a minimum of two days per week working onsite.

Please note that we are unable to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.

The closing date for applications is 30th October 2026. We encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. Xoserve’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

The Energy Industry is about to reform and change at pace, and it needs people like you to come and be part of its new design. If you are interested and consider you have the skills and experience we are looking for, please apply through our Job Board