OT Architect/Advisor

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 an Operational Technology (OT) Architect, Advisor and Strategist, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the UK’s energy infrastructure. This is a strategic and highly visible role where your expertise in OT and IT/OT convergence will directly influence how critical national infrastructure is designed, secured, and scaled to support the transition to net zero.

You will define the long-term OT strategy, develop enterprise roadmaps, and establish the architectural foundations that ensure resilience, compliance, and interoperability across complex operational environments. Working at the intersection of OT, IT, and Cyber, you will partner with business leaders, technology SMEs, and external stakeholders to embed future-ready OT capabilities.

Above all, you will act as a trusted advisor, bringing clarity and confidence to strategic decisions that will impact the reliability, security, and scalability of the UK’s energy systems for decades to come.

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

As an OT Enterprise Architect, you will:

• Define and drive the long-term OT strategy and supporting roadmaps, aligned with business transformation ambitions.
• Lead the development and enhancement of enterprise OT architecture, including capability mapping, standards, and reference architectures.
• Embed compliance-by-design principles and ensure OT solutions are resilient against cyber and physical threats.
• Promote IT/OT systems convergence, aligning capabilities and ensuring seamless interoperability across domains.
• Provide strategic guidance on OT platforms and solutions, supporting evaluation and decision-making at enterprise level.
• Work closely with OT business units, technology SMEs, and IT/Cyber architects to ensure coherence and alignment across programmes.
• Act as a senior point of assurance, influencing both business stakeholders and delivery teams.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in OT, power systems, or critical infrastructure, with a proven track record in enterprise architecture or strategy roles.
• Strong background in IT/OT convergence, ideally within the utilities or energy sector.
• Demonstrated ability to define and communicate enterprise-level OT strategies and roadmaps.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with confidence operating at senior leadership level.
• Expertise in embedding compliance, resilience, and security principles into OT architectures.
• Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex technical issues into clear, business-focused narratives.

Benefits

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. 

If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.

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