Lead Solution Architect

Lead Solution Architect

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced Lead Solution Architect to shape the technical architecture underpinning our applications, integrations, data platforms and cloud services. You will translate complex business requirements into secure, scalable and maintainable solutions while ensuring technology decisions align with our wider business and IT strategy. Working across Engineering, Delivery, Product, Cyber Security, Infrastructure and Data, you will provide the technical direction needed to create a more consistent, connected and resilient technology landscape.

This is a technical design and architectural governance role. The Lead Solution Architect will influence how solutions are delivered but will not be responsible for project delivery, software development or operational support.

• Lead the design of enterprise solutions across applications, integrations, cloud platforms and data services
• Translate business requirements into clear solution architectures and technical designs
• Assess solution options and recommend approaches that balance cost, complexity, scalability and long-term value
• Ensure solutions meet functional, security, resilience, performance and operational requirements
• Maintain architectural integrity from initial concept through to implementation
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineers and technical specialists
• Lead architecture reviews through the Technology Design Authority
• Assess architectural risks and approve designs within delegated authority
• Maintain architectural documentation, reusable patterns and technology standards
• Support current-state and future-state architecture planning
• Identify opportunities to simplify the technology estate, reduce duplication and address technical debt
• Define API, messaging and event-driven integration patterns
• Support the architecture of data platforms and promote trusted, consistent and governed data
• Design secure, resilient and scalable cloud-native and hybrid solutions
• Promote automation and Infrastructure as Code principles where appropriate
• Embed security, disaster recovery and operational supportability into solution designs
• Evaluate emerging technologies and support technology selection and procurement
• Present architecture proposals clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Work effectively with technology vendors, implementation partners and cloud providers
• Mentor technical colleagues and help build a culture of engineering excellence

• Significant experience working as a Solution Architect within a complex enterprise environment
• Strong experience designing distributed and integrated technology solutions
• A strong understanding of application, integration and data architecture
• Experience designing solutions using Microsoft Azure or a comparable cloud platform
• Strong knowledge of API design, messaging and integration architecture
• Experience producing clear architecture documentation and solution designs
• A strong understanding of security-by-design, resilience, scalability and disaster recovery
• Experience working within Agile delivery environments
• Experience facilitating architecture reviews and technical governance
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders and communicate complex technical subjects clearly
• A pragmatic and commercially aware approach to technical decision-making

• Experience supporting an established Enterprise Architecture practice
• Knowledge of Azure Integration Services
• Experience with modern data platforms and analytics solutions
• TOGAF or an equivalent architecture certification
• Microsoft Azure architecture certifications
• Experience working within a highly regulated environment
• Experience using UML, Archi Mate or other architecture-modelling approaches

You will be a strategic and naturally curious technical leader who can see the bigger picture without losing sight of practical delivery. You will be comfortable constructively challenging decisions, working through complexity and building trusted relationships across technical and…