Solutions Architect

We're seeking an experienced Senior Solutions Architect to join a growing architecture function and play a key role in shaping modern, scalable, and innovative technology solutions across the organisation. This is a full-time position based in Manchester, reporting into the Architecture leadership team.

If you're passionate about designing robust solutions, driving transformation, and enabling high-performing delivery teams, this role offers the opportunity to make a real impact.

What You'll Be Doing

• Develop application and system roadmaps to support transformation and modernisation initiatives.
• Create flexible, modular, and reusable solution designs in partnership with business and technical teams.
• Support high-level operational models and prepare business cases aligned with security and quality guidelines.
• Ensure solution architecture governance is followed, focusing on design patterns and technology standards.
• Own the final approval and acceptance of the solutions you design.
• Champion Agile and DevSecOps practices across delivery and operations teams.
• Drive innovation by exploring and promoting new technologies and approaches.
• Review designs and code with technical teams, ensuring best practices and performance standards.
• Identify technical risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Stay ahead of emerging technologies and recommend relevant solutions based on market trends.
• Work closely with stakeholders to clarify requirements, scope initiatives, and define solution strategy.
• Produce clear and comprehensive architecture specifications and documentation.

• Excellent analytical thinking, problem-solving and attention to detail.
• Strong documentation, planning and communication skills.
• Proven ability to design solutions across custom-built and COTS/MOTS applications, on cloud and on-prem environments.
• Experience working with systems such as policy administration, ERP, or customer/agent portals.
• Solid understanding of the full software development lifecycle and scaled agile delivery methods.
• TOGAF certification (or similar) advantageous.
• Expertise in architecture across web-based, service-oriented and enterprise systems.
• Ability to mentor and guide development teams on sound design principles, APIs, microservices, and cloud technologies.
• Experience with integration architectures including service bus, API mediation and event-driven models.
• Strong grasp of current technology trends and how to apply them creatively and cost-effectively.
• Experience developing enterprise roadmaps from current to future state.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science (or equivalent experience).
• Deep, hands-on cloud technology experience.