Head of Architecture - Studios Tech

Workplace: London White City. Expectation is 2-3 days in the office

ITV Studios is one of the biggest global creators, producers and distributors of TV content in the world. Studios Technology at ITV Studios underpins the creation, management, and distribution of world-class content. The team enables creative excellence and operational efficiency across our scripted and unscripted labels by delivering scalable, production workflows using cloud, data, AI, media asset management, and post production tooling. Working closely with production, commercial, and creative partners, Studios Technology ensures that innovation in technology directly powers ITV Studios’ storytelling ambitions worldwide.

The role

Reporting to the Director of Technology, the Head of Architecture & Engineering, Studios Technology is responsible for defining and governing the technical architecture that underpins ITV Studios’ technology landscape. The role sets architectural and engineering direction and standards. The function delivers high-level solution designs, ensuring that product and engineering teams deliver solutions that are scalable, secure, and aligned to both Studios’ needs and the wider ITV Digital Enablement Strategy

The role works closely with Studios Technology Product and Delivery leaders to set and deliver the studios technology strategy, drive effective design assurance processes, and build a strong, sustainable architectural and engineering capability through mentoring, skills development, and leadership of architectural best practice.

Skills required:

• Deep expertise in enterprise, solution, and systems architecture, including designing for scale, security, resilience, and operability.
• Proven ability to define, own, and evolve architectural and engineering standards, principles, patterns, and reference architectures in complex organisations.
• Solid understanding of enterprise architecture (EA) practices and alignment to group-wide technology strategies and digital transformation programmes.
• Strong knowledge of non-functional requirements (security, performance, availability, cost, sustainability) and how to embed them into solution design from inception.
• Broad engineering background with hands-on knowledge of modern software, cloud, infrastructure, and platform engineering approaches.
• Experience planning, prioritising, and overseeing large-scale engineering delivery aligned to product roadmaps and business outcomes.
• Strong design and engineering assurance capability, including governance models, design reviews, and early risk identification and mitigation.
• Ability to make and articulate architectural trade-offs between speed, cost, risk, and long-term sustainability.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with experience working closely with Product, Delivery, Engineering, and senior technology leadership.
• Expertise in identifying, assessing, and managing technical risk and technical debt across complex technology landscapes.
• Leadership capability in building, mentoring, and developing senior architects and engineering leaders
• Clear communication skills, able to convey architectural intent, rationale, and outcomes to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Key Criteria:

• Strategic Thinker – Able to define and articulate a clear, compelling, and ambitious vision and strategy.
• Commercially and Customer Focused – Ensures technology investment and delivery directly support ITV Studios’ creative, operational, and commercial goals.
• Collaborative and Empathetic Leader – Fosters a culture of openness, inclusion, innovation, and mutual respect across multidisciplinary teams.
• Empowering People Developer – Committed to nurturing talent, developing capability, and building a culture of continuous learning and improvement.
• Outcome Driven – Focuses on impact and value, ensuring delivery aligns to agreed KPIs and strategic outcomes.
• Pace and Agility – Comfortable working in a fast-moving environment, able to adapt quickly and sustain momentum.
• Strong Stakeholder Partnerships – Builds trusted relationships across production, operations, and executive leadership, balancing business needs with technical realities.
• Clear and Influential Communicator – Simplifies complexity, conveys direction with clarity, and inspires confidence across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Analytical and Data-Driven – Uses evidence, insight, and performance metrics to guide decisions and drive continuous improvement.
• Champion of Diversity and Inclusion – Values a range of perspectives and fosters an environment where every team member can contribute fully.
• Organised and Disciplined – Manages multiple, complex programmes effectively while maintaining focus on priorities and outcomes.