Solutions Architect

The role

The IT Services department is seeking to recruit an experienced and highly motivated Solution Architect to work within the Architecture Centre of Excellence under the Director of IT Digital Programmes. The role holder will join an existing team of Solution and Technical Architects and Business Analysts providing domain expertise across the University to deliver on the Critical Success Factors that are aligned to the University's Digital Strategy, IT Standards and the Business Change portfolio.

What will you be doing?

You will be comfortable working in a fast-paced changing environment, in a team that drives the delivery of change through both waterfall and agile managed programmes, projects and smaller change initiatives, and will be adaptable to rapid changes in the University's information technology landscape and the systems and components that support and deliver academic, research, and professional services.

You will have gained, through demonstrable experience, extensive breadth of knowledge in the IT industry across the domains of Applications, Data, Technology, and Information & Cyber Security, with perhaps a deeper knowledge in one or more of those domains, coupled with having significant experience of designing and architecting end-to-end solutions that implement on-premise, cloud and hybrid services using up-to-date technologies, patterns and tools.

You will be proficient in the techniques that go into producing designs of complex solution architectures and blueprints, for example the use of design patterns and alignment to architecture principles, adherence to standards, component building blocks, and end-to-end design. You will work within the Architecture Governance Framework to gain architecture design approval by the relevant board.

You will be expected to build collaborative relationships with colleagues in the Architecture Centre of Excellence as well as building rapport with partners and suppliers, subject matter experts in the IT Services division and wider stakeholders across the University at any level. Working closely with the Project Manager, Product Owner, Business Analyst and Scrum Master you will contribute to project plans, product back-log, prioritisation and refinement activity, champion requirements-driven solutions and work with the design community to ensure architecture alignment.

You will work on large programmes, projects and smaller work packages, often in parallel, and therefore time management, communication skills and interpersonal skills are key attributes you will have. You will be expected to create collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and members of your project teams to achieve successful outcomes whilst meeting the organisation's strategic goals and financial objectives.

As well as the above activities you will often be involved in early engagement activity, procurement, bid assessments and technology selection, large system procurements led by other departments in the University and helping define IT Policies, Standards and Principles as well as New Service definition.

You should apply if

Suitable applicants must have a degree relevant to IT Services or career experience which demonstrates equivalent professional development. ITILv3 Foundation , TOGAF Certification and Scaled Agile Framework knowledge are desirable, but not essential. You will need to show a strong ability to develop your skills with the minimum of external input and be able to work in a highly autonomous fashion.

This vacancy is offered on an initial fixed term until July 2020 but could very possibly be open for longer term extension based on the ongoing portfolio of work.

We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBT+ and BAME communities, to join us.