IT Solutions Designer Graduate Scheme

Scheme summary

* Salary - £30,987 + up to 10% annual bonus + annual pay reviews

* Start date – September 2026

* Scheme length – 3 years

* Location – Stratford upon Avon – (with hybrid working)

* Entry criteria - minimum 2:2 degree in a IT, Computer Science, or a closely related technical discipline.

About the scheme

At NFU Mutual, our IT division plays a pivotal role in driving the success of our business. From delivering exceptional service to spearheading innovation, we’re at the forefront of technology and transformation. Our teams lead ambitious projects, such as transitioning to Cloud services, enhancing our cybersecurity, and developing digital customer solutions - all while delivering an annual change portfolio worth over £80 million.

As an IT Solution Designer Graduate, you’ll be part of a team responsible for turning high-level architectural designs into detailed technical plans that guide the delivery of new systems, applications, and integrations. Solution Designers bridge the gap between architecture and engineering — translating strategic “big picture” thinking into actionable, technically robust designs.

We are looking for an ambitious and inquisitive IT graduate eager to launch their career. Our dynamic three-year graduate programme is your gateway to becoming a future IT Solution Designer. Here, you’ll gain hands-on experience across diverse technical domains, develop an in-depth understanding of how our business thrives on technology, and sharpen your professional skills in real-world projects.

From collaborating with talented colleagues to solving meaningful challenges and working to regulation standards, you’ll build essential skills in teamwork, communication, and problem solving. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to make a tangible impact, grow your confidence, and shape the future of our business—all while being supported every step of the way.

As a graduate on our IT Solution Designer Scheme, you’ll help shape the technology that underpins our business. You’ll transform high-level plans into detailed technical designs, working closely with Solution Architects, engineers, and specialist IT teams.

Throughout the scheme, you’ll rotate across different projects and BAU teams, taking part in a series of placements and shadowing opportunities within IT Solution Design and IT areas. This will help you build a strong understanding of business requirements, processes, integrations, and ways of working, while developing valuable professional network

Your responsibilities will include:

* Translating high-level architectural designs into detailed technical plans, including component designs, API definitions, data models and database schemas, working closely with Solution Architects, developers and engineering teams.

* Support the smooth and secure delivery of new technology releases, ensuring solutions are well-integrated, safe, efficient and aligned to business needs.

* Work with IT architects, SMEs, 3rd-party suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure new solutions fit seamlessly into the wider IT framework.

To enhance your career, you’ll undertake a number of IT professional qualifications or certifications, such as ITIL, and other Architecture, Governance related Certifications - giving you the technical foundations to progress.

This programme is designed to develop you into a future Solution Designer, giving you the breadth, depth, and confidence to succeed.

What you can expect

How your role will evolve:

In your first year, You’ll start by learning how technical designs are created, gaining hands-on experience across projects and BAU teams, and building core skills in requirements gathering, analysis and technical design.

By your second year, s your confidence increases, you’ll take on more responsibility for shaping low-level designs and begin operating with greater independence. This is where you start stepping into the Applications Designer pathway.

In your third year, You’ll be working at an advanced level, taking ownership of more complex design tasks. By this stage, you’ll be operating with confidence, applying your technical design skills independently and contributing real…