Solutions Architect
3 days ago
Birmingham
Title: Solutions Architect Type: Permanent Location: Birmingham (other locations considered- Manchester, Cardiff or Leeds) Working arrangements- Hybrid (2-3x a week) Industry- Professional Services (Legal sector) Overview The organisation is hiring an experienced Solution Architect to join the Architecture & Design team. The role is responsible for designing and delivering secure, scalable, and robust technology solutions that support strategic objectives, including a Cloud First approach and ongoing digital transformation. Working closely with business stakeholders, IT delivery teams, and external partners, you will translate requirements into high-quality architectural designs. Key Responsibilities Solution Architecture & Delivery • Translate business requirements into clear, end-to-end solution architectures, • Define target architectures and create transition roadmaps, • Analyse current (“as-is”) architecture to identify gaps and improvement opportunities, • Ensure solutions meet security, regulatory, and performance standards, • Design integrations with existing systems, • Align architectural designs with enterprise roadmaps and support future technology direction Technical Leadership • Provide technical oversight throughout solution delivery and resolve complex design issues, • Act as a liaison between delivery teams and IT technical functions, • Support policy-related decisions, including data residency, • Influence and contribute to enterprise architecture roadmaps Stakeholder Engagement • Communicate solution options clearly and support informed decision-making, • Build trusted relationships with business and IT stakeholders, • Drive consensus and influence key technical and strategic decisions Innovation, Governance & Risk • Stay informed on emerging technologies and identify opportunities for improvement, • Highlight architectural risks and propose mitigation strategies, • Maintain the information asset register, • Ensure compliance with security, data handling, and regulatory policies Skills & Experience Essential • Experience across one or more IT domains, • Proven background as a Solution Architect in complex enterprise environments, • Strong capability in Microsoft Azure (IaaS, PaaS) and cloud-native architectures, • Knowledge of enterprise integration patterns and API management, • Understanding of security, compliance, and data privacy best practices, • Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, • Ability to take ownership of technical challenges and deliver solutions, • Knowledge of project delivery cycles and quality assurance, • Proactive learner with interest in emerging technologies, • Understanding of data governance and information security standards Desirable • Experience within legal or professional services, • Familiarity with TOGAF or similar architecture frameworks, • Experience with DevOps tools and practices, • Exposure to business analysis and large-scale process change, • Experience working with third-party or offshore delivery teams Technology Experience • Microsoft Azure (IaaS, PaaS, Azure AD, Azure DevOps), • Windows 365, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, • Integration technologies, • Identity & Access Management, • AI capabilities, • Enterprise applications (document management, case management, CRM, finance), • Networking and infrastructure fundamentals, • Agile and modern delivery methodologies Personal Attributes • Strong strategic thinking, influencing, and diplomacy skills, • Excellent communication and leadership capability, • Comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, • Detail-oriented with excellent written and verbal communication, • Resilient, adaptable, and solution-focused, • Able to prioritise and work independently, • Positive, proactive, and committed to continuous development