Job description for Senior Solutions Architect

We are currently recruiting for a Senior Solutions Architect to join our forward thinking and progressive team. It’s a fantastic opportunity to take on a role as a key technology leader within the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA).

You will be leading high-profile areas of our business technology solutions, taking a pro-active approach to identifying improvement opportunities for the organisation. This will include leading on aspects of the SDA’s Digital and Data Strategy, providing technical leadership to key capabilities and developing innovative solutions to meet business problems. You will take a leading role in developing architecture models which depict the organisations information and technology landscape.

You will be managing multiple stakeholder relationships, where designs require integration with solutions delivered across Defence. This role is one of considerable influence and requires an individual with the appetite for intellectual challenge and who is prepared to deliver technical solutions at pace.

Regular in-person attendance to the Abbey Wood office is expected for a minimum of 40% of the working week / 2 days. This is to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. There will also be occasional travel to other UK MoD sites. Reasonable notice will be given, with flexibility and a family friendly approach in mind. Travel and subsistence costs will be covered.

Please note, due to the security requirements of the position, the post is open to Sole UK Nationals only.

What you’ll be doing

• Leading a small team of digital resources on projects and capabilities to ensure high quality outcomes that meet the needs of the business
• Developing innovative products, value for money services and technical digital solutions to meet SDA business needs
• Providing expert advice and guidance in the delivery of the Digital Strategy and ensuring alignment with Business Strategies
• Developing and presenting business cases and models for approval, to gain project funding and prioritisation
• Lead direct and indirect resources in the delivery of capabilities

Person specification

To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• Experience in leading the design and implementation of Digital Solutions, Architecture and Design within a complex organisation

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Strategy, Architecture and Solution Design – Expert level
• Development and Implementation [As SWDN Level 4] – Practitioner level
• Seeing the Big Picture – CSBC4
• Communicating and Influencing – CSBC3

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £63,400, Ministry of Defence contributes £18,366 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of – and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Further Information

• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/SDA-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-SDA-Terms-and-Conditions

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. Pre-sift – We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
2. Sift – Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. When two (or more) candidates are on equal interview scores, positions will be offered based on the scores assessed at interview, in this order – 1st) Technical competence, 2nd) CV Review, 3rd) Behaviour one, 4th) Behaviour two.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.