Service Architect

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving transformational change within our clients.  We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications.  We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals. 

About the Role:

As a Service Architect, you will take the strategic direction set at enterprise level and turn it into practical, tangible outcomes. This role is about shaping the detail of how services are defined, governed and delivered so that they are resilient, scalable and aligned to the needs of the business and its customers. You will work closely with programme teams, service owners and technical leads to create the models, definitions and frameworks that ensure service management is not only designed well, but embedded effectively into the organisation.

As the architect of delivery, you will document and define end-to-end services, creating the clarity needed for teams to operate consistently and confidently. As the bridge between strategy and execution, you will translate enterprise vision into service models that work in practice, balancing governance with flexibility. As a trusted partner to operational leaders, you will provide the structure and assurance that services are designed to meet performance, compliance and customer expectations.

This role is critical in ensuring that service management is not an afterthought, but a core part of how the organisation delivers and operates. Your work will leave a lasting impact by creating the frameworks and definitions that underpin successful transformation.

This contract is offered on an initial 6–12 month basis, with strong potential for extension.

As a Service Architect, you will:

• Define and document end-to-end services, building service catalogues, ownership models and frameworks.
• Translate enterprise strategy into actionable service models that support transformation outcomes.
• Ensure service management is embedded effectively, enabling consistency, resilience and compliance.
• Work closely with programme teams, service owners and technical specialists to align design and delivery.
• Provide assurance that services meet agreed standards, customer needs and regulatory expectations.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and ensure service design evolves with organisational change

• Proven experience as a Service Architect, Service Designer or equivalent role in large or complex organisations.
• Strong background in service definition and service management, with the ability to embed these practices in a transformation environment.
• Understanding of how to balance governance and flexibility when designing services and operating models.
• Ability to collaborate with technical and business stakeholders, translating strategic intent into clear, practical outcomes.
• Excellent documentation, communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to simplify complexity.
• Experience within regulated industries or large transformation programmes is desirable.

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success.  

We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life.  In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package: 

• Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth. 
• Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance.  We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however, are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can. 
• A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes, an employee assistance programme, discounted cash plan and more…. 

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us. 

#LI-PD1