Overview
We are looking for a Architecture Manager to lead the Solution Architecture capability at NFU Mutual. This role is accountable for setting clear direction across solution architecture delivery, ensuring consistent standards, strong governance, and practical alignment with business and technology strategy. As we continue our transition towards a more product-based organisation, this role will be instrumental in evolving how architecture operates, embedding architects within product teams, supporting empowered decision-making, and ensuring solutions are designed holistically across platforms, systems, data, and integrations. You will lead and develop a team of Solution Architects, balancing strategic oversight with hands‑on engagement. The focus is on how we shape and deliver end‑to‑end solutions that resolve business problems effectively, sustainably, and in line with our target architecture. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders across business and technology, you will ensure solution architectures are pragmatic, scalable, secure, and aligned to enterprise standards. You will also play a key role in modernising ways of working, strengthening architectural governance within a product‑centric model, and embedding good solution architecture practices across programmes, products and change initiatives. Alongside people leadership and governance accountability, you will remain close enough to delivery to provide hands‑on architectural support where needed, particularly on complex, high‑risk, or strategically significant initiatives.
You are an experienced Solution Architect ready to take on or expand a leadership role. Whether you’re already managing teams or guiding multiple domains, you combine strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery expertise. You can turn business challenges into practical solutions, balancing ideal architectures with real‑world constraints. Skilled at influencing senior stakeholders and shaping direction in complex environments, you drive architecture that evolves within product‑led organisations, enabling faster decisions and better alignment. Most importantly, you excel at building effective teams, embedding efficient practices, and ensuring solution architecture drives meaningful change.
Qualifications
* Significant experience in senior Solution Architecture roles, including leadership, mentoring, or matrix management responsibilities.
* Proven experience designing end‑to‑end solutions across multiple technology domains (applications, integration, data, infrastructure, security).
* Experience operating within or transitioning towards a product‑based operating model.
* Strong understanding of architecture governance, design assurance, and risk management.
* Ability to influence and constructively challenge senior stakeholders across business and technology.
* A track record of evolving architecture practices, standards, or engagement models to improve consistency and delivery outcomes.
* Excellent communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex architectural concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
Desirable Qualifications
* TOGAF (Foundation or Practitioner) or equivalent architecture framework experience.
* Experience of Agile architecture approaches (e.g. SAFe or equivalent).
* ITIL, Prince2, or equivalent delivery and service management knowledge.
* Experience working in regulated environments.
Benefits and Rewards
* Salary – Up to £105,000 depending on experience.
* Annual bonus (up to 25% of salary).
* Contributory pension scheme, up to 20%, including your 8% contribution.
* 28 days annual leave + bank holidays + buy/sell/save holiday trading scheme.
* A family‑friendly policy that helps you balance your work and family responsibilities.
* Private medical insurance + options to add family members.
* Access to savings at high‑street brands, travel and supermarkets.
* £20 contribution to a monthly gym membership – subject to T&Cs.
* Health and well‑being plan – cashback for dentist, opticians, physio and more.
* Employee volunteering – volunteer in the community for one day each year.
* Unlimited access to Refer a Friend £500 bonus scheme.
* Life assurance cover of 4 x salary.
* Employee discounts of 15% on a range of NFU Mutual insurance policies.
* Salary sacrifice employee car scheme – subject to eligibility.
Equal Opportunities
At NFU Mutual, we support an inclusive workplace and value all the differences that make us unique. We celebrate the creativity and innovation that comes from diverse perspectives and experiences and share a common vision of doing the right thing for our customers and employees. We recognise that some candidates may experience barriers during the recruitment process. So, we encourage candidates to discuss any adjustments or accommodations they need to be the best they can be throughout our recruitment process. We’re proud to be a disability confident employer, a Race at Work and Women in Finance Charter signatory and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, disability, neuro‑diversity, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background.
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