Senior Solution Architect

Are you ready to chart your own career path? With our refreshed strategy, we’re building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.

At a glance:

Location: Cirencester Office

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Employment Type: Permanent

Seniority: Mid-Senior Level

The role:

The Solution Architecture function is a key part of the architecture team at St. James’s Place.

The role holder will play a key part in shaping the vision of our Solution Architecture Practice, ensuring that we capitalise on our potential and deliver high quality systems and integrations which align to our corporate objectives, ensuring we deliver the right outcomes for our partners.

As a Senior Solution Architect, you will aid in the socialisation of our capability to senior collaborators and Architecture/Design boards, influencing the decision-making processes by using your own in-depth knowledge of the internal & external marketplace, whilst making use of external sources and networks.

What you'll be doing:

• Own and set new technology standards & best practices within the architecture and design community, working closely with subject matter experts internally and external to the organisation to deliver high impacting strategic technology roadmaps.
• Drive the overall Architectural view of the Application
• Proactively communicate and collaborate with external and internal stakeholders, have a clear understanding of strategic business requirements as well as deliver the following artefacts as needed: Conceptual, logical and physical designs, Interface designs, taking account of functional and non-functional requirements
• Using your experience & in-depth knowledge, lead the solution architecture aspects of high-profile Programmes of work, leading by example to ensure the needs of our stakeholders
• Understand business drivers and business capabilities (future and current state), and determine corresponding system designs and change requirements to drive the organisation’s targeted business outcomes
• Initiate working groups to develop new thought processes and innovate ideas aligning to the corporate objectives. Promoting a culture of idea sharing and innovation to enhance the divisions capabilities.
• Work closely with other domains of architecture and design (Enterprise, Service Design and Central Data Office) to design architecture for a single project or initiative
• Understand technology trends and the practical application of existing, new, and emerging technologies to enable new and evolving business and operating models.
• Develop capability roadmaps for the division to ensure we have the right technologies and processes in place to achieve the divisions corporate objectives and align to the wider divisions’ strategic plans.
  
  

Who we're looking for:

An excellent understanding of the project lifecycle, the ability to explain complex technical information in to simple language, exceptional interpersonal skills with confidence to challenge, methodical and collaborative outlook to tasks and projects.

Essential Criteria

• Technical expertise in cloud platforms, software architecture, and database management
• Demonstrable experience in application integration approaches, lifecycle management, and translating business requirements into technical solutions
• Expert understanding of architectural frameworks such as TOGAF, Zachman or ArchiMate or equivalent
• Significant experience in designing and implementing solutions from high level requirements to target state architecture and transition.
  
  

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within a financial services or high regulated industry
• Innovation minded, ability to assess and apply and emerging technologies to drive business transformations
  
  

Special Requirements:

• on rare occasions you may be required to work outside core hours to enable project delivery
• in exceptional circumstances there could be a requirement to travel to other SJP locations
  
  

What's in it for you?

We reward you for the work you do, whether that’s through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), or online rewards platform with a variety of discounts.

We also have benefits to support whatever stage of life you are in, including:

• Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
• Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
• 10% non-contributory pension (increasing with length of service)
  
  

Reasonable Adjustments We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at [email protected]

Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.

What's next?

If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking ‘apply’ below and our team will be in touch.

As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.