Higher Education Systems Architect

Department: Business Improvement

Location: Greenford

About Us:GBS is a higher education provider offering a range of sector-relevant courses across ten campuses in London, Birmingham, Leeds, and Manchester. Working in partnership with several of the UK's leading higher education providers, we deliver vocational, undergraduate, and postgraduate programmes in finance, accounting, business, construction, tourism, healthcare, and more.

Our Vision:Changing lives through education.

About the department:The Business Improvement Department is dedicated to driving operational excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth across the organisation. Our mission is to identify opportunities for improvement, streamline processes, and implement data-driven strategies that enhance performance, customer satisfaction, and value delivery.

We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinkingHigher Education Systems Architectto ensure that all student-facing and administrative systems comply with UK Higher Education (HE) regulatory frameworks.

This role will also provide architectural leadership in the development of a next-generation Student Information System (SIS), working in close collaboration with our offshore development team.

Acting as the bridge between compliance needs, business users, and developers, the Systems Architect will ensure that all solutions support institutional goals, enhance operational efficiency, and meet the evolving demands of students, staff, and regulators.

About the role:

• System Governance & Compliance:Ensure current systems are used in alignment with UK HE policies and regulations (e.g., HESA, OfS, GDPR, UCAS, SLC).

• Architecture & Design:Define the technical and functional architecture for a new Student Information System (SIS) product tailored to the UK HE sector.

• Collaboration & Leadership:Work closely with an offshore software development team to guide system architecture and design decisions and ensure delivery aligns with compliance and user needs.

The ideal candidate will have in-depth knowledge of the UK HE sector, experience managing student systems (e.g., SITS, Unit4, or similar), and the ability to translate business and compliance requirements into scalable technology solutions.

• Proven experience in systems architecture or enterprise systems design within the UK Higher Education sector.
• Strong understanding of UK HE compliance frameworks, including HESA Data Futures, OfS reporting, UCAS processes, GDPR, and funding requirements.
• Experience with leading SIS platforms (e.g., Tribal SITS, Unit4, Ellucian, etc.) or custom development of similar systems.
• Hands-on experience with system integrations, APIs, and data modeling.
• Ability to bridge business and technical teams with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working with offshore/remote development teams is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with Agile or hybrid project methodologies
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Certifications in Enterprise Architecture (e.g., TOGAF), Project Management (e.g., Agile/Scrum, PRINCE2), or Data Governance.

What We Offer:

• 25 days annual leave, plus 8 public holidays
• 1 day extra leave per year of service, up to a maximum of 5 days
• Workplace pension scheme
• Tuition reimbursement for career development courses
• Flexible Benefits: Cycle to Work, Workplace Nursery, Techscheme and much more
• discounts platform, wellbeing centre and much more
• Reward and recognition programme
• £500 award employee referral scheme
• Discretionary annual performance bonus

Employee Testimonial:

The trust placed in me by the company has been like nothing I've ever experienced. This confidence has empowered me to take on new challenges and grow professionally. The support throughout my employment has been very focused and nurturing, providing me with the resources and guidance needed to excel. Regular feedback and opportunities for professional development have been instrumental in honing my skills and advancing my career. The company's commitment to my growth has not only enhanced my capabilities but also fostered a deep sense of loyalty and motivation to contribute to our collective success.- Ahad Shaikh (Professional Services Employee)

GBS is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and providing a workplace free from discrimination or harassment. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities. We take our core values seriously and work hard to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed.

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