Lead Solution Architect

We are currently looking for a Lead Solution Architect to join our Strategy & Architecture Function within the Digital & Technology group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 7/8 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP
.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.

We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office.

Some roles will need to be on site more regularly. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The Digital and Technology Group (DTG) lies at the heart of the Agency and is responsible for delivering an optimised IT infrastructure and maximising the secure use of data to enable our scientists, inspectors, and the rest of the organisation to deliver world class services which can improve outcomes for patients and the general public. The Group was essential in the race to approve COVID-19 vaccines in 2020 and in supporting the UK to set up its own medicines and devices approvals systems following our exit from the EU.

The work we do matters!

Its centre of excellence is also responsible for delivering a broad portfolio of change initiatives, both to transform the Agency’s legacy technologies and to deliver innovative new solutions, designed around our customers’ needs. DTG works in a holistic way to combine digital and technology change, data and information management, project delivery, business process, product management and cultural change to maximise out impact and ensure sustainability.

We plan to be at the heart of one of the most digitally advanced medical regulators in the world and we need people who can help us deliver that ambition. DTG isa great place to build your career, and we are committed to enabling our people to do the best work of their lives.

As a Lead Solution Architect you will lead and champion Solution Architecture within our Strategy & Architecture team and will work with multiple projects and teams on problems that require broad architectural thinking and alignment to deliver desirable, feasible and sustainable digital, data and technology solutions.

You will play a key role in ensuring that we develop and maintain a strong Architecture capability through coaching, mentoring, and training, and ensuring that the architects in agency have stretching and rewarding workloads to support their personal development.

You will be a key member of the Architecture Assurance Forum, and a wider community of practice of Architects that embraces fast-cycle Agile, service design principles, whilst driving coherence across common foundation services, minimising technical debt and legacy technology risk. This is a critical role for an experienced lead Architect who can work with delivery and operational teams, to support the design, development and sustainability of MHRA products and services.

• Lead solution architecture delivery and assurance, providing hands-on leadership to programmes and projects while ensuring solutions align with MHRA, GDS and enterprise architecture standards.

• Develop architectural strategy, standards and roadmaps, establishing principles, patterns and blueprints that support transformation, reduce duplication, manage technical debt and enable sustainable modernisation.

• Drive collaboration and influence across MHRA and government, building strong relationships with business, technical, supplier and cross-government stakeholders to promote alignment, reuse and informed decision-making.

• Lead architecture…