Solutions Architect - Payments (ISO 20022) - Remote contract

We are seeking an experienced Solutions Architect with deep expertise in bank payments execution to support the design and delivery of complex payment platforms within a regulated financial services environment.

This role requires a hands-on, delivery-focused architect who understands how payments operate end to end - from initiation through clearing, settlement, reconciliation and exception handling - and who can design robust, scalable solutions aligned to ISO 20022 standards., * Lead the end-to-end solution design for payment processing platforms and services

• Design and document logical and functional architectures, defining clear system boundaries, responsibilities, and interactions
• Work closely with business stakeholders, engineering teams, and delivery leads to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions
• Provide architectural oversight and governance across delivery teams to ensure alignment with agreed designs and standards
• Balance short-term delivery needs with longer-term platform and architectural strategy
• Support payment transformation initiatives, including ISO 20022 adoption and coexistence
• Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders, providing clear guidance on trade-offs, risks, and design decisions

• Proven experience as a Solutions Architect in banking or financial services environments
• Strong, hands-on knowledge of end-to-end payments execution, including clearing, settlement, reconciliation, and exception handling
• Practical experience with multiple payment schemes such as Bacs, Faster Payments, CHAPS, SWIFT, or SEPA
• Deep, working knowledge of ISO 20022, including message structures, mapping, validation, and scheme differences
• Ability to design clear logical and functional architectures and govern designs delivered by engineering teams
• Familiarity with modern integration patterns (APIs, microservices, event-driven architectures)
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage confidently with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Pragmatic, delivery-focused mindset with the ability to operate independently