Lead Solutions Architect

This role will lead the design and implementation of comprehensive solution designs that align with the organisation’s strategic objectives and Enterprise Architecture principles.

The role will help the Director of Architecture to ensure the quality of solution designs and deployments across the organisation, ensuring the performance, security and scalability of those designs.

The role will provide technical guidance and direction throughout the solution development lifecycle, including requirements validation technology evaluation, design and benefits realisation tracking

The successful candidate will collaborate and consult with a wide variety of stakeholders to ensure solution design decisions are aligned with Enterprise Architecture strategy

They will also help the Director of Architecture create an Enterprise Architecture roadmap to assist in future planning of the solution needs of the ICO as well as help the Director of Architecture to ensure consistency of solution designs across the ICO and facilitate the identification and integration of new technologies to create resilient and flexible solution designs that supports current business objectives and future growth.

The role will carry out horizon scanning across the industry and wider technological landscape, identifying innovative tools and trends that could enhance the capabilities of the ICO, * Developing and delivering the ICO’s Solution Architecture vision, strategy and roadmaps

• Lead the design of scalable and efficient solutions that meet business needs, justifying and communicating design decisions
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders and product managers to gather and analyse requirements for new solutions
• Create a library of architecture and solution building blocks to direct and guide effective and robust solution design
• Creating and managing the solution design and development of services of various sizes, including how they interact with their surroundings and how they evolve over time
• Supporting technical specialists in multiple projects and services on problems that require broad architectural thinking
• Defining how we build user-centered systems in an agile environment to serve a variety of citizen and business needs
• To challenge existing practices, looking for deeper problems to solve and larger opportunities for digital transformation
• Communicating the architecture vision to technical and non-technical stakeholders and to work in multi-disciplinary teams
• Playing an active role in the ICO Architecture community and related communities of practice where you will share your knowledge of best practice, tools and techniques
• Helping to build a diverse, inclusive culture across the architecture community, growing awareness, inclusivity and balance
• Working with other architects, colleagues and peers to define standards and guidance around best practice
• Engaging and networking with people across the ICO up to Director level to understand their needs and ensure they are aligned with the Enterprise Architecture vision
• To lead the implementation of cloud-based solutions using Azure services such as virtual machines, storage, networking, and security
• To participate in the development of best practices and standards for Azure solution development and implementation.
• To be an evangelist for Azure solution architectures and best practices, * UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

• Substantial experience relevant to the role requirements, as described in the role responsibilities and person specification, and accumulated through any combination of academic or vocational qualifications or experience.
• Experience of working with cloud-first architectures and how to design solutions that take advantage of the opportunities they offer.
• Experience of working with technical teams and delivering user-centered services in an agile environment.
• Experience of working with stakeholders of all levels to make decisions on technology choices, using the most appropriate languages, frameworks and tools to meet user and business needs.
• Experience of working with Enterprise Architecture frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman)
• Proven ability to design and document end-to-end solutions, including consideration of data and infrastructure components.
• Knowledge of a wide range of technologies including cloud platforms (Microsoft Azure), microservices, APIs and enterprise software.

Essential criteria assessed at interview stage

• Excellent analytical skills to diagnose issues, evaluate risk and develop viable solutions
• Knowledge of a wide range of technologies including cloud platforms (Microsoft Azure), microservices, APIs and enterprise software.
• Proficiency in creating solution architecture design diagrams, roadmaps and associated artefacts.
• Ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity, creative problem solving and developing innovative solutions.
• Excellent communication skills for educating employees on solution
• Able to communicate complex insights and principles simply and with impact, particularly across technical and non-technical audiences. Competent at negotiating and persuading where necessary, whilst applying a highly ethical approach.
• Commercial acumen, understanding how solution architecture links to business value creation, Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Pulled from the full job description

• Annual leave
• Additional leave
• Company pension, * Pay progression scheme.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays.
• Flexi leave (up to 24 additional days leave per year).
• Pension (employer contribution around 28.9%).
• Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.

Further details can be found on the benefits section of our website ., Alongside your salary of £57,815, Information Commissioner’s Office contributes £16,749 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides . Please visit ico.jobs for full details, including salary and benefits.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information rights. In a data-driven world, we provide advice, guidance, and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations, as well as protecting individuals and their personal data.

As an employer, we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people, and we empower you to be curious, impactful, collaborative and respectful., The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve and together we are building an inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference. We are championing this through our Equality Diversity and Inclusion Board together with a number of staff networks. Read more about our commitment on our website.