Enterprise Architect Recruitment

Solutions | Enterprise Architect Recruitment

Enterprise architecture is one of the hardest roles to hire well. The title means different things in different organisations, the strongest candidates are rarely looking, and a CV says little about whether someone can influence an executive team. We help end clients and consultancies establish, build and mature architecture functions, from the first head of architecture to a full practice.

  • Lead and Principal Enterprise Architects
  • Heads of Architecture and Chief Architects
  • Enterprise Solution Architects
  • Business Architects
  • Data and AI Enterprise Architects
  • Interim and Fractional Enterprise Architects

We go beyond CV matching. Our consultants know the difference between an enterprise architect who maintains roadmaps and one who shapes strategy with the executive team, and between a governance role and a transformation role. We are vendor agnostic on EA tooling, so we assess candidates on architectural capability rather than familiarity with a particular platform.

Part of our architecture recruitment practice.

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Establishing, Building and Maturing Architecture Functions

Most enterprise architecture hires are part of a bigger question: how do we build an architecture function that the business trusts? The answer looks different for an end client standing up a practice and a consultancy scaling one for client delivery, so we approach them differently.

For End Clients

Whether you are establishing architecture for the first time or moving an existing function from design authority to strategic partner, we find the head of architecture or principal enterprise architect who can set principles, governance and roadmaps, win executive sponsorship and build the team. We then back them with permanent hires, interim cover and on-demand architects as the function matures.

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For Consultancies

For consultancies building or growing an enterprise architecture practice, we provide senior architects who can lead client engagements, support bids and develop junior talent, plus on-demand enterprise architects to staff new wins quickly without carrying bench cost.

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What We Assess in an Enterprise Architect

Frameworks and certifications are the easy part to check. These are what separate a strong enterprise architect from a capable one.

Strategic Influence

Can they turn business strategy into a target architecture and win support for it at executive level, not just document it?

Commercial Judgement

Do they understand cost, risk and investment trade-offs well enough to prioritise a roadmap the business will actually fund?

Hands-On Credibility

Can they still engage solution architects and engineers on detail, so their designs survive contact with delivery?

Where enterprise architecture demand is coming from

From our conversations with heads of architecture, demand is being driven by AI adoption that needs governing, cloud and application estates that need rationalising, regulatory pressure in financial services and the public sector, and mergers that leave duplicate estates behind. Each driver calls for a different kind of enterprise architect, which is why we brief on the problem before the job title.

Further reading: Enterprise vs solution vs software architecture, Enterprise architecture vs project delivery, What is enterprise architecture in a bank? and Why demand for AI architects has jumped.

Need someone now?

If the gap can't wait for a permanent hire, see our interim and fractional architects and interim and fractional security leaders, with profiles typically shared within 48 hours.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between an enterprise architect and a solution architect?

An enterprise architect works across the whole organisation, linking business strategy to the target state and roadmap. A solution architect designs how a specific change or system will work within that target state. Many hiring problems start when one is recruited to do the other's job.

What does a head of architecture do differently from a principal enterprise architect?

A head of architecture owns the practice: people, governance, funding and executive relationships. A principal enterprise architect is usually the most senior individual contributor, setting direction for a domain or portfolio without line management.

Should we hire a permanent enterprise architect or use an interim?

Permanent suits ongoing practice leadership and long-term ownership of the target state. Interim suits a defined programme, a gap while you recruit, or a practice reset where you need experience quickly. We supply both, with interim profiles typically shared within 48 hours.

Do enterprise architects need TOGAF?

TOGAF is a useful common language and many organisations ask for it, but the certificate alone rarely predicts performance. We assess how candidates apply frameworks in practice rather than whether they hold one.

Can you help us establish an architecture function from scratch?

Yes. We usually start with the head of architecture or founding principal architect, then help build the team around them through permanent hires, interim cover and Architecture As-a-Service, so the function delivers value while it grows.

Do you work with consultancies as well as end clients?

Yes. We support consultancies with senior enterprise architects to lead engagements and grow the practice, bid support, and on-demand architects to staff new client work quickly.

Ready to work with Entasis Partners?

Every organisation is different. We start by understanding your challenges, your goals, and where the gaps are - then we'll tell you honestly whether and how Entasis Partners can help.

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