Senior Solution Architect – Banking

We are looking for an experienced Senior Solution Architect to join a busy and evolving Technology department within a regulated banking environment.

As a Senior Solution Architect, you will play an integral role in shaping the architecture of banking systems and ensuring technology change supports business strategy, architecture standards, principles, policies and regulatory requirements.

This is a senior architecture and assurance role. You will help mature the Architecture function, provide technical leadership across complex change initiatives and ensure designs produced by third-party suppliers and internal teams are technically sound and integrate coherently into the target architecture.

You will work closely with senior leaders, programme and service delivery teams, business stakeholders and solution partners. You will be expected to operate credibly and independently, exercise sound judgement on complex or contentious architecture matters and work alongside the Architecture Team Lead where required.

Key Responsibilities

As a Senior Solution Architect, you will:

• Help mature the design approach for banking systems and contribute to architecture roadmaps and wider Enterprise Architecture.

• Develop an integrated view of Technology Architecture using repeatable approaches, cohesive frameworks, industry-standard techniques and reference models.

• Provide architecture governance and technical oversight across change initiatives, assessing conceptual, logical and solution architecture artefacts produced by third parties and internal teams.

• Work with Technology, business stakeholders, programme management, Service Delivery and third-party suppliers to define pragmatic, cost-effective and workable solutions.

• Maintain and improve architecture standards, principles, repositories, assurance processes and Technology Governance Frameworks.

• Present complex architecture matters clearly and manage technology risk.

• Mentor less experienced architects and deputise for the Architecture Team Lead where required.

Experience & Skills

We are looking for an experienced architect who can provide senior technical leadership, assurance and pragmatic guidance within a regulated environment.

You should have:

• Extensive architecture experience across Information, Integration, Security and Application Architecture.

• Experience leading the complete project lifecycle for large-scale, complex technology change.

• Strong technical analysis and design experience, including solution options and high-level design artefacts for technical and non-technical audiences.

• Extensive experience of architecture frameworks, reference models, architecture repositories, governance frameworks and technology roadmaps.

• Proficiency in API-centric architecture, microservices, data integration, messaging and event-driven architecture patterns.

• A solid understanding of data architecture and governance, security principles, secure service design and holistic enterprise architecture.

• Knowledge of SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, Microsoft 365, Azure, automation, AI and modern digital platform technologies.

• Strong knowledge of software delivery lifecycles, IT service management and Agile, Lean and Waterfall delivery approaches.

• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to influence executive, senior, technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Strong leadership, analytical, planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Desirable Experience

Experience within retail banking, financial services, payments, CRM or banking technology platforms would be advantageous.

A relevant degree or equivalent experience is essential. TOGAF, CISA, CRISC, ITIL or another relevant professional qualification would be advantageous.

Benefits

• Permanent hybrid working

• Six weeks' holiday plus bank holidays

• Development opportunities supporting personal and professional growth

• Pension scheme with competitive employer contribution options

• Additional benefits supporting social impact and wellbeing