Lead API Architect

LEAD API SOLUTION ARCHITECT

100 LIVERPOOL STREET, LONDON – HYBRID

6 MONTH CONTRACT

INSIDE IR35

About the role

My banking client are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Lead API Solution Architect to join our team in the financial services sector. This senior-level role requires a visionary leader with deep technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and the ability to influence cross-organizationally. The ideal candidate will drive our API strategy, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture and business goals.

Responsibilities

API Strategy & Architecture

• Provide strategic leadership and vision for API initiatives.

• Influence cross-organizationally to drive API adoption and best practices.

• Define and lead the API strategy aligned with enterprise architecture and business goals.

• Design scalable, secure, and reusable API architectures.

• Establish API governance, lifecycle management, and versioning standards.

Solution Design & Integration

• Lead and document the design of end-to-end API solutions across systems (internal and external).

• Ensure seamless integration with legacy systems, third-party services, and cloud platforms.

• Collaborate with enterprise and domain to align solutions.

Security & Compliance

• Implement robust API security practices (e.g. OAuth2, OIDC).

• Ensure compliance with financial and regional regulations.

• Conduct threat modeling and risk assessments for API exposure.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Mentor and guide development teams on API best practices.

• Act as a technical liaison between business stakeholders and engineering teams.

• Drive architectural reviews and technical decision-making.

Monitoring & Optimization

• Define KPIs and SLAs for API performance and availability.

• Oversee API analytics, logging, and monitoring.

• Continuously optimize API performance and developer experience.

Experience

Strategic & Leadership Experience

• Proven track record of leading enterprise-scale API programs in regulated industries.

• Experience influencing executive stakeholders and aligning technology initiatives with business strategy.

• Demonstrated success in establishing API governance frameworks and architectural standards.

Technical Expertise

• Understanding of REST/JSON, OpenAPI, OAuth2, JWT, API security (e.g. JWS, JWE, PKCE, OIDC)..

• Proficiency in API management platforms (e.g., Azure API Management, Apigee).

• Experience with integration technologies (e.g. Kafka, IBM MQ).

Cloud & DevOps

• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g. Azure, GCP).

• CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (e.g. Terraform, ARM templates).

• API testing and automation frameworks.

Soft Skills

• Strong communication and stakeholder management.

• Strategic thinking and problem-solving.

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.

If you believe you have the experience required, please apply with your CV now for instant consideration

TO APPLY - PLEASE APPLY WITH AN UP-TO-DATE CV

Candidates will ideally show evidence of the above in their CV in order to be considered.

Please be advised if you haven't heard from us within 48 hours then unfortunately your application has not been successful on this occasion, we may however keep your details on file for any suitable future vacancies and contact you accordingly.

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