> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1590004-lead-solution-architect](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1590004-lead-solution-architect). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Lead Solution Architect - **Company:** Yorkshire Water - **Location:** Bradford, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** £7,200.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Technical Debt, Togaf, Operational Systems, Counter Terrorist Check - **Published:** July 2, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.totaljobs.com/job/lead-solution-architect/yorkshire-water-job107625625 ## About the Role * Proven experience leading and inspiring architecture teams, creating a shared vision and delivering successful outcomes across complex technology environments. * A strong track record of building and bringing together the right teams to solve complex architectural challenges and deliver business value. * Experience identifying, managing and reducing technical debt, ensuring solutions remain scalable, sustainable and aligned to long-term strategy. * Strong architectural expertise with the ability to tackle complex challenges both hands-on and through the leadership of others. * Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to communicate effectively and build credibility at all levels, including senior leaders and executives. * Practical experience applying architectural frameworks and methodologies, with the judgement to adapt approaches to suit different business needs. * Experience establishing, growing and recruiting for architecture functions, developing high-performing and engaged teams. * The ability to create clear, high-quality and visually engaging architectural artefacts, strategies and roadmaps. * To have a broad technical knowledge across applications and technology landscapes, with a strong understanding of how technology enables business outcomes. * An inspiring leadership style, excellent written and verbal communication skills, and a positive, proactive "can-do" attitude. * A passion for coaching, mentoring and developing others, with the ability to unlock potential and help individuals and teams achieve more. ## Description * Shape and build Yorkshire Water's Solutions Architecture function, creating and leading a high-performing team of Solution Architects across Applications, Security, Data, Operational Technology (OT) and Infrastructure. * Define and drive the vision, strategy and roadmap for Solution Architecture, ensuring the function is positioned to support both current priorities and future transformation goals. * Attract, recruit and nurture exceptional architectural talent, proactively building capability through workforce planning, succession management and targeted development. * Inspire and develop your team through coaching, mentoring and leadership, creating an environment where people can thrive, grow and perform at their best. * Champion architectural excellence by embedding best-practice frameworks, standards and governance, using methodologies such as TOGAF to deliver consistent, high-quality outcomes. * Act as the Lead Architect for major business and technology transformation programmes, providing clear direction, leadership and architectural assurance. * Bring together multi-disciplinary architecture teams to solve complex business challenges, ensuring alignment and collaboration across application, technology, infrastructure and data domains. * Work closely with Enterprise Architecture to ensure technology decisions, investments and initiatives align with Yorkshire Water's long-term strategy and objectives. * Stay ahead of emerging technology trends, identifying opportunities to leverage innovation and translating industry developments into tangible business value. * Build strong, trusted relationships with business stakeholders, understanding their priorities and translating them into practical, scalable and future-focused technology solutions. * Design architectures that strike the right balance between strategic ambition and practical delivery, maximising value while ensuring successful implementation. * Develop and maintain effective partnerships with third-party providers to enhance capability, provide independent assurance and bring valuable market insight. * Collaborate closely with delivery teams to ensure solutions are implemented in line with architectural principles, standards and agreed designs. * Establish and maintain robust governance and assurance processes, ensuring quality, consistency and compliance throughout the delivery lifecycle. * Serve as a trusted technology advisor, influencing key decisions and helping shape the future technology landscape of Yorkshire Water., If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required. Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible. ## Related Videos - [Resolving technical debts in software architecture](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1680-resolving-technical-debts-in-software-architecture) - [We (don't) need a software architect!?!](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/663-we-don-t-need-a-software-architect) - [Enterprise Linux as Container Images](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1610-enterprise-linux-as-container-images) - [From Code to Culture: Why Leadership Determines Software Quality](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1998-from-code-to-culture-why-leadership-determines-software-quality) - [Your Code as a Crime Scene](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1342-your-code-as-a-crime-scene) - [Exploring BOS: The Blockchain Operating System by NEAR Protocol](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/781-exploring-bos-the-blockchain-operating-system-by-near-protocol) ## Related Articles - [Events like RSAC Get You CISOs. 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