Lead Solution Architect - Data Platform

Location: Smethwick

Lead the architecture behind Bank of England's flagship programme modernising how regulatory data is collected and managed. The Bank of England, in partnership with Inspire People, is seeking a Lead Solution Architect with strong Azure expertise, knowledge of data-collection platforms and the ability to produce clear, high-quality architectural artefacts. Hybrid working from London or Leeds, salary up to £90,360 plus an 8% cash benefits allowance, 10-25% discretionary annual bonus and a non-contributory pension.

21-month FTC with a view to becoming permanent. About the Lead Solution Architect role You will help shape the design and delivery of a new regulatory data collection platform, handling large volumes of data submitted by banks, insurers and other financial firms. Working across the full architecture lifecycle, you will define how data is collected, validated, processed and integrated with the Bank's wider data environment.

You will also support technology and supplier selection, shape the target architecture and ensure solutions meet the Bank's security, data and architecture standards. As a Lead Solution Architect you will:
Develop technology strategies, roadmaps and architectural artefacts (HLDs, blueprints, target states) that guide enterprise and regulatory platforms. Lead architectural governance, presenting at design forums and ensuring alignment with Bank-wide standards. Shape secure data architectures across Azure services, including ingestion, validation, modelling and metadata design. Partner with stakeholders across Technology, Data, Policy and Delivery to influence decisions and provide thought leadership.

Support procurement processes, vendor assessments and technical requirements across key programmes. Essential skills for the Lead Solution Architect include:
Strong Azure capability (ADLS, Databricks, App Services, identity and integration patterns). Knowledge of data collection and submission platforms. Experience designing scalable, secure architectural artefacts and roadmaps, including HLDs, blueprints and target states. Strong understanding of data ingestion, validation, processing and integration. Cloud architecture experience, with Azure preferred. Strong API and integration design experience. Understanding of data governance, lineage, traceability and data quality.

Experience producing architecture designs and working through governance and assurance. Strong stakeholder management across technical, business and supplier teams. Desirable skills for the Lead Solution Architect include:

Experience with in financial services, regulatory or other highly regulated environments. Knowledge of reporting and data standards such as XBRL, XML, JSON or SDMX.

Experience with Azure data services such as ADLS and App Services.

Experience with large-scale platform replacement or migration programmes. Experience supporting procurement and supplier assurance. In return, you can expect a flexible working culture, including:
Hybrid working with 40-50% office attendance monthly. Flexible start and finish times, adaptable working patterns and a working-from-abroad policy (subject to approval). An inclusive culture that values diversity, wellbeing and career development. Benefits include:
London Salary: £80,320 - £90,360 | Leeds Salary: £72,320 - £81,360 Non-contributory career-average pension. 10%-25% annual discretionary performance award based on the current award pool. 8% benefits allowance, with the option to take this as salary or purchase a wide range of flexible benefits. 25 days annual leave, with the option to buy up to 13 additional days through flexible benefits.

Flexible start and finish times plus adaptable working patterns. Working-from-abroad policy (subject to approval). Inclusive culture that values diversity, wellbeing and development. Private medical insurance and income protection. Dental cover. Interest-free season ticket loan. If you want to deliver technology that strengthens the UK's financial stability and underpins critical national infrastructure, we'd love to hear from you. Apply via the link and one of the Inspire People team will be in touch.