Job description for IT Senior Solutions Architect

You will lead the development and maintenance of Architecture vision and roadmaps for digital infrastructure requirements such as cloud and on-premise hosting for Defence capabilities. Additionally, you will lead on technical design of specific solutions to meet business requirements ensuring they meet agreed architectural principles, standards, and policies to ensure that information and IT is secure, reliable, available, and managed in line with departmental and legal requirements.

We are recruiting into a very dynamic team which operates across multiple areas. You will be responsible for delivery at various levels, following a structured approach to enterprise/solutions architecture and design, to deliver projects and solutions in line with the strategic intent.

You will require pre-existing strong leadership skills to develop and maintain relationships and reputation with Defence business and technical stakeholder communities. As such, the post of Senior Solutions Architect is one of considerable influence and requires an individual with the appetite for significant intellectual challenge who is prepared to deliver leading edge technical solutions at pace. You will also benefit from being part of a large community of IT Architects and IT professionals, where best practice and ideas are shared.

For example, we are working to reduce the time it takes to design and deliver equipment to the armed forces through the adoption of digital techniques, to ensure the equipment we buy works as part of a coherent system with existing platforms within the UK Armed Forces, across NATO and with allies and industry.

To spearhead our strategic approach, we’ve established three Capability Centres. Each Capability Centre has a unique focus, playing a crucial role in developing our future transformative digital capabilities. Through collaboration and innovation, this exceptional team will help us maintain our strategic edge over adversaries, both now and in the future.

The Capability Centres offer excellent opportunities to work with and influence senior management within DE&S and the broader Defence Enterprise, fostering new ways of working and embracing cutting-edge technologies.

We hope you will join us, to help develop these approaches and to utilise new technologies, modelling, and analysis techniques, to equip the UK armed forces with the edge to protect our nation.

At DE&S, we champion flexible ways of working. 3 days attendance per week is required on site, to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance.

What you’ll be doing

• Developing and maintaining an Architecture Vision and Roadmap for DE&S Digital Infrastructure in collaboration with stakeholders and the wider Architecture Team.
• Developing architecture models of the Digital Infrastructure for inclusion in the Enterprise Architecture, using the ArchiMate modelling standard.
• Defining multiple viable systems solutions options with recommendations for delivering customer requirements in the most efficient and cost-effective way, delivering optimum performance within budgetary limits.
• Developing Solution Designs for new requirements, ensuring adherence to the Architecture Principles, Standards and Policies innovating where appropriate to deliver DE&S business needs, whilst integrating with the wider IT Estate.
• Ensuring compliance between business strategies, enterprise transformation activities and technical directions, to ensure business needs are met and benefits are realised.
• Conducting periodic reviews of DE&S implemented solutions and recommend changes and improvements.
• Providing expert advice and guidance in the delivery of the Digital Plan and ensuring alignment with Business Strategies.
• Maintaining technical knowledge to ensure IT solutions exploit the full advantages of new and innovative technologies.

 

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

• Significant experience in leading the design and implementation of IT Solutions, Architecture and Design.
• An established Subject Matter Expert (SME) as a Solutions Architect.
• Hold TOGAF Practitioner and or BCS Architecture Qualifications or demonstrate evidence of working towards them.
• Formal qualification in the design of cloud computing solutions (or equivalent experience).

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

• Strategy, Architecture and Solution Design – Expert
• Change and Transformation – Practitioner
• Seeing the big picture – CSBC 4
• Making effective Decisions – CSBC4

Benefits

• 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 27%
• 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.

#LI-Hybrid.

Further Information

• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

Offering at a lower level
If you’re not successful at interview, we may offer you a role at a lower level if this is a match for your skills and experience. If this applies to your application, you’ll be scored against criteria for the lower-level role and offers will be made in merit order. If you accept this position, you’ll be able to take advantage of opportunities to develop your career as part of our team.