Solution Architect

Role: Solution Architect

Location- Solihull, Hook, or London (hybrid)

Salary- up to £80K base + benefits

Industry: Business Process Outsourcing/Public services industry

Purpose:

The Solution Architect plays a key role in delivering IT projects and bids by collaborating with business and IT stakeholders to understand business requirements, identify gaps between those requirements and existing IT capabilities, define solutions to address the gaps, and ensure that project scope is controlled and solutions are aligned with the company's architectural principles and the IT strategy of the business unit.

They work closely with clients and business representatives to understand their needs and design appropriate IT solutions for each project or bid. The Solution Architect must have a strong grasp of the organization's IT requirements and evaluate how proposed solutions will affect the overall profitability of the business or bid.

To maximize value and credibility, the Solution Architect will be an expert in at least one area of IT while maintaining broad knowledge of current and emerging technologies.

Responsibilities:

- Collaborate with the IT Project Manager to understand business needs and develop appropriate designs and solutions for each project.

- Work with business development and bid teams to create effective solutions and cost models for bids.

- Participate in solution reviews and governance boards to ensure designs meet copmany architectural standards.

- Present solution designs and cost models within the bid governance framework.

- Engage with IT professionals (eg, Enterprise Architects, Technical Leads) to design solutions for business operations and bids.

- Ensure project and bid implementations comply with approved architectural designs.

- Provide design leadership and architectural guidance to delivery teams to ensure alignment with solution designs.

- Support project delivery and change control processes throughout execution.

- Communicate technical concepts and IT strategies clearly to non-technical stakeholders and IT teams.

- Work with the IT Project Manager and BU DP to ensure solution design milestones are met according to the project plan.

- Produce solution and service designs that align with business needs, Enterprise Architecture roadmaps, and IT strategies.

- Review supplier proposals to confirm deliverability, quality, and alignment with Enterprise Architecture and standard services.

- Document solution and service designs in sufficient detail for clear planning and understanding by business users.

- Define the structure of solutions to business problems, encompassing multiple applications and technologies.

Required Experience:

- The IT Solution Architect should have a strong background and experience in at least one of the following areas: CRM, complex case management, telephony, Azure, cloud technologies, Dynamics, SaaS products, RPA/AI, or data analytics.

- Experience working on government outsourcing projects, with proven ability to understand business requirements while staying current on emerging IT technologies.

- A degree in an IT-related discipline (or equivalent professional experience) is required, along with a solid understanding of modern IT infrastructure, applications, and cloud technologies (eg, SaaS, Azure).

- Ability to design clear, well-defined solutions to business problems with strong analytical and logical thinking skills.

- Excellent communication skills, capable of explaining complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

- Exposure to up-to-date and emerging technologies.

- Skilled at identifying technical issues, designing effective solutions, and gathering and synthesizing information.

- Strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

- Capable of performing under pressure and meeting tight deadlines.

- Proactive thinker with the ability to anticipate problems and develop appropriate solutions.

- Adept at building strong relationships with both business and IT stakeholders.

- Good understanding of security standards, legislation, and best practices.

- Takes ownership and accountability for personal professional development.

Additional information:

Must be willing to undergo BPSS security clearance. In some cases, SC may also be required depending on assignment. An industry recognised qualification in an Architectural Framework (eg TOGAF) is desirable (not essential).