Location
Newcastle, UK
Overview of the Role
In a strategic capacity the Server and Storage Architect holds a pivotal position, responsible for designing and implementing transformational, innovative and scalable solutions that underpin the success of our business. The role includes designing security controls, formulating overarching strategies, and collaborating closely with software engineers, project managers and business stakeholders to ensure business objectives are achieved and systems keep pace with technology trends.
Responsibilities
* Formulate strategy aimed at consistently deriving value from new functionality and capabilities
* Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business needs into technical specifications
* Guide business to ensure a robust environment
* Create detailed, high-level technical designs, prioritizing scalability, security and performance
* Select optimal technologies, frameworks and platforms for system development
* Offer technical guidance throughout the systems lifecycle
* Enforce best practices, design standards and architectural principles
* Identify and address risks and anomalies in system designs
* Conduct systematic audits to ensure compliance with architectural guidelines and industry standards
* Stay current with emerging technologies, trends and best practices in systems architecture
* Collaborate with project managers and business stakeholders, providing technical insights for project planning and execution
* Collaborate with subject matter experts, IT managers and product managers to create system strategies that effectively address current and future business requirements
* Conduct strategic assessments of IT product options, weighing architectural principles, cost-benefit analyses and in-depth research
* Offer technical expertise to project and operational teams, guiding them through intricate technical decisions
* Review working practices and performance to improve processes, procedures and service levels, fostering a continuous improvement culture and enhancing customer experience
* Lead and guide project and product teams, ensuring optimal outcomes
* Establish comprehensive design principles and chart strategic product roadmaps tailored to the domain
* Promote a culture of technical excellence within the IT environment and the wider business
* Track technological advancements, communicating notable developments to IT management and stakeholders
* Comprehend distinct business area strategies to elevate IT service alignment
* Define pivotal service metrics with key business stakeholders
Key Performance Metrics
* Ensure IT services are reliable, high-performing and aligned with business goals
* Architect systems for efficient scalability, handling increased workloads without compromising performance
* Implement robust security measures to safeguard data and comply with industry standards
* Meet project timelines for timely system implementation and enhancements
* Deliver systems with exceptional usability and functionality, generating positive feedback
* Introduce innovative solutions while upholding industry standards and best practices
* Exemplify effective teamwork and communication within cross-functional teams
* Resolve technical challenges during system development and implementation
* Stay current with evolving technologies and best practices through continuous learning
* Use feedback to enhance system design and performance through iterative improvement
Candidate Specification
Essential
* Sound knowledge of enterprise server and storage technologies
* Experience implementing solutions at scale
* Production of architecture strategy documentation
* Integration of solutions into systems and business practices
* Standards design and documentation
* Experience providing technical guidance in a complex environment
* Experience working with senior stakeholders to understand corporate strategy
Desirable
* Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering, computer science or related field or equivalent professional experience or combination thereof
* ITIL Foundation certification
* Experience with global systems
* Knowledge of business analysis techniques
* Experience working in an Agile development environment
Personal Attributes
* Passionate about technical excellence
* Strong technical leadership skills
* Strong appetite to understand new techniques and technologies
* Ability to work both at a high level, providing strategic advice, and at a low level for detailed decisions
* Excellent verbal and written communication skills to communicate information to all levels of staff and management
* Strong ability to build stakeholder relationships
UK Immigration
Mott MacDonald Ltd. are not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. This decision is a consequence of the changes made to the Skilled Worker route by the UK Government in April 2024. We continue to welcome applications from candidates who are eligible for alternative immigration routes in the UK, that do not require sponsorship as a Skilled Worker now or in future.
Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
We put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business, seeking to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they can contribute.
Benefits
Financial wellbeing
* We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
* Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
* Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
* Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
* As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.
Employee Ownership
* Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success.
* Our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, giving them a direct connection to our success through personal and group performance bonuses.
* As your career grows, so does your stake, recognising your long-term impact and contribution.
* Your voice matters, with the opportunity to connect directly with senior leadership through formal channels to help shape our future.
* For our senior roles you will have a direct pathway towards ownership from day one.
Health and wellbeing
* Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
* Health cash plan to support you with everyday health costs and treatments.
* Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
* A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing programme.
* Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.
Lifestyle
* A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
* Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years' service.
* Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.
Enhanced family and carers leave
* Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
* Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
* Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
Learning and development
* Primary annual professional institution subscription.
* A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training and self-development options.
Networks, communities and social outcomes
* Join a wide range of groups including our Advanced Employee Networks which support our LGBTQ, gender, race and ethnicity, disability and parents/carers communities.
* Make a difference within our communities through our social outcomes.
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