Principal IT Solution Architect Be the strategic force behind technology transformation at NFU Mutual Lead the architectural vision and strategy across complex transformation programmes Hybrid role based out of our Head Office in Stratford-upon-Avon About the roleNFU Mutual are seeking an experience Principal IT Solution Architect, you will take a leading role in shaping and delivering the technical vision for a major transformation programme. This initiative focuses on modernising our insurance trading platform, implementing a digital customer portal, and strengthening our customer data mastering capabilities. You will act as the architectural authority for the programme, ensuring technology solutions are robust, strategically aligned, and future-ready. Balancing immediate programme priorities with long-term enterprise objectives, you will provide the architectural leadership needed to deliver solutions that not only meet business needs but also drive sustainable value. This role demands a strong blend of technical expertise, strategic vision, and senior stakeholder engagement. You will collaborate with business leaders, programme sponsors, and delivery teams to influence decision-making, align initiatives with enterprise roadmaps, and ensure architectural consistency across all programme workstreams. In addition to setting the architectural direction, you will guide and mentor a team of architects (both internal and partner resources), fostering best practices and maintaining high standards of design quality and governance. Your ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity and authority will make you a trusted advisor across the organisation. As the Principal Architect, you will be accountable for the overall architecture of scalable, resilient, secure, and integrated solutions that comply with regulatory frameworks, industry standards, and the organisation’s strategic ambitions. By anticipating risks, identifying dependencies, and recommending innovative approaches, you will play a critical part in ensuring the transformation programme’s success.About youYou are a highly capable and strategic IT professional, combining leadership, influencing, and negotiating skills with strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building abilities. You bring deep expertise in enterprise and solution architecture, applying strategic thinking and planning to deliver robust, business-aligned solutions. Your analytical and problem-solving abilities, coupled with the capacity to make sound decisions under pressure, ensure challenges are addressed effectively and efficiently. You are adaptable, experienced in change management, and skilled in risk management, consistently mitigating potential issues to safeguard programme success. Exposure to Guidewire and Cloud Technologies further strengthens your ability to deliver modern, resilient insurance solutions. Proven experience in senior level Enterprise or IT solution architecture in a leadership role (e.g. Principal / Lead Architect / CTO) within major transformations is essential. Experience in stakeholder management and engagement up to C suite is essential. Experience of leading teams of experienced architects. Strong understanding of insurance business processes, regulatory requirements and industry standards. Extensive experience within insurance system re-platforming is required Formal Architectural certification highly desirable Product, Project or programme management experience / certification (e.g., SAFe, PMP, PRINCE2, MSP) is a plus. 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, neurodiversity, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.Benefits and RewardsWhen you join our team, you can expect a supportive culture and an attractive range of rewards and benefits including: Salary – from £100,000 (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 wellbeing 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 Working at NFU MutualWe’re one of the UK’s leading general insurance and financial services companies. For over 110 years we’ve put our customers at the heart of everything we do. Our people are just as important to us. We pride ourselves on being “a great place to work” and our Gallup Exceptional Workplace 2025 award was not only awarded with Distinction but also named us as the first UK-based company to receive a Gallup Exceptional Workplace for ten years in a row. We are also the only Insurer to feature in the LinkedIn Top 15 Companies 2025 list of ‘Best midsize employers to grow your career in the UK’, the Glassdoor Best Places to Work UK List 2023 and 2024, and were recognised as a certified UK Top Employer by the Top Employers Institute in 2023, 2024 and 2025. We offer a supportive culture where we empower and inspire our people to perform, offer them opportunities to grow, and recognise and reward their contribution. Our people are proud to work for a company that respects them and their communities, and they trust us to be financially sustainable, so we are successful now and in the future.