IT Solutions Architects

We are seeking experienced IT Solutions Architects to provide architectural leadership across a major programme of work. You will be responsible for ensuring all programme projects are robust, compliant, and aligned to enterprise strategy, delivering long-term value and supporting the organisation's digital roadmap. Operating at programme level, you will act as the key interface between delivery teams and Enterprise Architecture, ensuring consistency, governance and alignment across multiple interdependent initiatives., * Provide programme-wide architecture oversight across multiple projects

• Ensure consistency in design patterns, integration strategy and technology selection
• Act as the primary interface between programme delivery and Enterprise Architecture (EA)
• Support delivery teams in designing scalable, secure and supportable solutions

Architecture Governance & Assurance

• Establish and embed architectural governance across forums such as:
• Architecture Review Board
• Design Authority
• Solution Assurance forums
• Review and assure vendor-produced architecture artefacts
• Conduct architecture reviews at key stages (discovery, design, delivery)

Enterprise Architecture Alignment

• Ensure solutions align to enterprise standards and guardrails, and technology roadmaps

Group and domain strategy

• Facilitate governance checkpoints and manage architecture escalations / waivers
• Maintain awareness of evolving enterprise standards and innovations

Solution Design & Delivery Assurance

• Validate that solutions:

• Meet business objectives
• Integrate effectively with existing platforms
• Comply with data, security and interoperability standards
• Ensure effective use of enterprise platforms, shared services and integration frameworks

Governance & Documentation

• Produce and maintain high-quality architecture artefacts including:

• Solution Architecture Documents (SADs)
• High-level and detailed designs
• Architecture decision logs
• Integration/interface specifications
• Roadmaps and impact assessments

• Support programme teams in securing timely approvals through governance

Stakeholder & Vendor Engagement

• Work closely with:

• Programme leadership, PMs and SMEs
• Enterprise Architecture, Security, Data and Infrastructure teams
• Third-party vendors across design, procurement and delivery
• Lead vendor assurance across architecture design and integration

What to bring

Key Technology & Domain Experience (Highly Desirable)

We are seeking architects with a blend of expertise across the following domains, with the expectation that the overall team will cover multiple areas:

• Oracle EPM (EPBCS)
• Microsoft Dynamics 365
• PowerFactory
• System performance tools (e.g. PI)
• Sustainability applications / energy systems
• Customer websites and digital platforms
• Infrastructure (including cloud and virtual desktop environments)
• IBM Maximo (MAS / EAM / APM)
• ESRI ArcGIS (including web and mobile applications)

• Demonstrable experience as a Solutions Architect within large-scale programmes
• Strong background working across multiple concurrent projects / portfolios
• Experience operating within a structured Enterprise Architecture / governance environment
• Proven ability to lead architecture assurance and design across complex ecosystems
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including senior business and technical leadership

Technical & Architectural Expertise

• Strong experience in enterprise application design and integration
• Exposure to cloud platforms and infrastructure architecture
• Experience developing secure, scalable, and supportable solutions
• Knowledge of data, security and integration architectures

Vendor & Commercial

• Experience working with and assuring third-party vendors and system integrators
• Involvement in RFPs, design assurance, and delivery oversight

Methods & Governance, strong understanding of:

• Architecture standards and frameworks
• Governance processes and stage gates
• Agile and Waterfall delivery models

For employees, we're committed to recognising and rewarding hard work. Our competitive salary and benefits package includes; Company Pension Scheme, Private Medical & Dental Insurance, Group Income Protection, Group Life Assurance, Cycle to Work and Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme. We also invest in your development. If you choose to self-study in your own time, we'll fund your study materials and exam fees - and once you pass, you'll receive an incentive bonus.