The firm
Birketts is a full service, UK Top 50 law firm. With a heritage spanning 160 years, we have more than 700 lawyers and legal professionals based in Bristol, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich, London, Norwich and Sevenoaks. We advise businesses, government and public sector organisations and individuals in the UK and internationally across four principal practice groups: Real Estate, Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution and Private Client.
Next Level Law is also applied to our people. Our collegiate culture means everyone is encouraged to achieve their next level in everything they do. RollOnFriday recently ranked us as the 5th best law firm to work at in 2024.
The department
The Business Systems team ensures that core business applications and data platforms are reliable, scalable, and aligned with the firm's objectives. Acting as the link between business needs and technology delivery, the team drives digital transformation, optimises processes, and supports a culture of innovation.
The role
This role can be based from our offices in either Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich or Norwich. There will be a regular requirement to travel to our Ipswich office to meet stakeholders.
The
Enterprise Architect
will play a pivotal role in our digital transformation, designing and implementing flexible, scalable solutions that support the firm's growth and strategic objectives. Working closely with lawyers, clients, internal technical teams and third-party suppliers, the role will deliver cutting edge technology solutions that modernise legacy estates, reduce technical debt and enable outstanding client and colleague experiences.
Accountabilities
* Solution Design: Develop and design innovative technology solutions that address technical debt, modernise legacy systems, and create new digital products and services across both internal and client-facing initiatives.
* Strategy: Help set and deliver the firm's technology strategy, aligning solutions with business goals and long-term vision.
* Innovation: Foster a culture of innovation across the firm, encouraging the adoption of new technologies and practices.
* Empowerment: Assist lawyers in making the most of technology to enhance their practice and deliver world-class legal services.
* Competitive Advantage: Deliver solutions that provide a competitive advantage, shaping the future of the firm and the wider legal industry.
* Technical Leadership: Provide technical leadership and guidance throughout the project lifecycle, from concept to implementation, ensuring best practices and standards are followed.
* Integration: Ensure seamless integration of new solutions with existing systems and platforms, maintaining data integrity and security.
* Collaboration: Work closely with lawyers, clients, internal technical resources, and third-party suppliers to understand requirements, gather feedback, and ensure solutions meet business needs.
* Horizon Scanning: Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, identifying opportunities to leverage new tools and methodologies to enhance our solutions.
The candidate
You will have:
* Proven experience as an Enterprise Architect (or Solutions Architect) in a digital and/or professional services environment, ideally within legal.
* Strong grounding in software engineering and system architecture, including cloud (Microsoft Azure), data management and integration patterns.
* Proficiency with relevant programming languages, frameworks and APIs, and familiarity with DevSecOps practices (CI/CD, IaC, automation).
* Confidence facilitating workshops and engaging directly with internal and external clients.
* Experience working in agile, product led teams (cross functional delivery, iterative value, metrics).
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence diverse stakeholders.
* A problem solving mindset, able to work autonomously and make sound, evidence based decisions.
* A strong focus on user experience and measurable digital transformation outcomes.
* Degree helpful but equivalent experience equally considered.
You will be:
* A clear communicator who can translate complex concepts into simple, business relevant language.
* Comfortable working with a broad range of stakeholders, including technical teams and legal practitioners.
* Curious, analytical and solutions focused, balancing pragmatism with long term architectural integrity.
* Passionate about upskilling colleagues and enabling transformation at all levels.
* Enthusiastic about digital innovation and continuous improvement.
* Proactive in analysing and validating market trends, and championing internal and external client needs
Desirable skills and experience:
* Experience with legal practice management systems, document management systems and workflow automation.
* Knowledge of Microsoft Fabric, data analytics and Business Intelligence.
* Background in service oriented and event driven architectures; API management and microservices.
* Strong understanding of security, privacy, compliance and governance in regulated environments.
* Hands-on with DevSecOps toolchains and platform engineering concepts.
* Agile frameworks such as Scrum and SAFe.
* Relevant certifications (e.g. TOGAF, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert).
Employee benefits
At Birketts, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:
* 25 days holiday (FTE) plus Bank Holidays (rising with service up to a maximum of 30 days).
* Long Service holiday award - 1 extra week every 10 years continuous service
* Private Healthcare with BUPA (offered after probation is passed)
* Scottish Widows Pension Scheme (5% employer / 5% Employee)
* Staff Profit Share and Individual Performance Bonus Scheme
* Salary sacrifice (Pensions, Staff Profit Share)
* Life Assurance - 4 x salary / Permanent Health Insurance
* Paid CSR Day
* Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave
* Subsidised gym membership
* Electric car scheme
* Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
* Dress for your Day Policy