Senior Solutions Architect

Role: Senior Solutions Architect Location- Solihull, Hook, or London (hybrid) Salary- up to £90K base + benefits Industry: Business Process Outsourcing / Public services industry Purpose: The Senior Solution Architect plays a key role in delivering IT projects and bids by collaborating with business and IT stakeholders to understand requirements, identify gaps in existing capabilities, define solutions to address those gaps, and ensure solutions align with the company's architectural principles and IT strategy while maintaining project scope. They work closely with clients and business representatives to design effective IT solutions that meet project or bid requirements and assess the impact of proposed solutions on business profitability. Senior Solution Architects are expected to specialize in at least one (typically two) IT domains while maintaining broad knowledge of current and emerging technologies. They may also manage and mentor Solution Architects, providing leadership and guidance to ensure consistent quality and alignment with the company's architectural standards. Responsibilities: • Collaborate with Business and IT Project Managers to understand business needs and deliver appropriate solution designs for each project. • Work with business development and bid teams to define suitable solutions and cost models for bids. • Participate in solution reviews and governance boards to ensure designs comply with the company's architectural standards. • Present and take ownership of solution designs and cost models within the bid governance framework. • Collaborate with IT professionals (e.g., Enterprise Architects, Technical Leads) to design solutions for business operations and bids. • Ensure project and bid implementations adhere to approved architectural designs. • Provide architectural guidance and leadership to delivery teams to ensure alignment with solution designs. • Support project delivery and the change control process throughout implementation. • Communicate complex technical concepts and solution strategies clearly to non-technical stakeholders and IT peers. • Work with IT Project Managers and BU DP to ensure solution design milestones are achieved according to project plans. • Develop solution and service designs that align with business needs, Enterprise Architecture roadmaps, and IT strategies. • Evaluate supplier proposals to ensure deliverability, quality, and alignment with Enterprise Architecture and standard services. • Document solution and service designs in sufficient detail for clear understanding and execution by business users. • Define solution structures for business problems that may span multiple applications and technologies. Required Experience: • The Senior Solution Architect should have extensive 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. • Proven experience in government outsourcing projects, with the ability to interpret business requirements while staying current with emerging IT technologies. • A degree in an IT-related discipline (or equivalent experience) is required, along with strong knowledge of modern IT infrastructure, applications, and cloud platforms (e.g., SaaS, Azure). • Ability to design clear, effective solutions to business challenges, supported by strong analytical and logical thinking skills. • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical details in clear, simple terms to clients and stakeholders. • Exposure to the latest and emerging technologies. • Strong problem-solving skills, capable of identifying technical issues, designing solutions, and integrating information effectively. • Exceptional time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and adapt to changing demands. • Resilient under pressure, with the ability to meet deadlines consistently. • Proactive mindset with the ability to anticipate potential problems and devise solutions in advance. • Strong relationship-building skills with both business and IT stakeholders. • Solid understanding of security standards, legislation, and best practices. • Takes ownership of and accountability for ongoing 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 (e.g. TOGAF) is desirable (not essential).