Role Title: Banking Solution Architect Location: Knutsford or Northampton Duration: Until 31/12/2025 Day Rate: £467.50 Inside IR35 Role Overview: We are seeking an experienced Solution Architect to provide technical leadership across core banking programmes, focusing on current account journeys, including loans, account switching, and related operational platforms. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing scalable, resilient, and secure technology solutions to address complex business challenges within the banking landscape. This role requires close collaboration with stakeholders across business and technology functions, ownership of architectural delivery, and guidance on integration strategies, balancing cloud adoption, automation, and regulatory compliance. Key Responsibilities: Lead the design and technical architecture for current accounts, loans, savings, account switching, payments, and operational platforms, with an emphasis on scalability, resiliency, security, and compliance. Collaborate with project managers, product owners, and business analysts to ensure solutions meet business requirements and risk controls. Manage architectural governance, including producing design artefacts addressing privacy, records management, and risk. Advise business and product teams, supporting technical delivery and innovation within the banking sector. Evaluate and integrate third-party vendor products, support systems strategy, and automate operational processes to minimise manual intervention. Essential Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of core banking and current account systems, payment schemes, and modern architecture paradigms (cloud, APIs, DevOps, security). Experience with workforce planning tools, reporting platforms (Excel, PowerPoint, JIRA, Tableau, Confluence), and project delivery best practices. Strong stakeholder management skills, business acumen, and the ability to influence strategy across multiple teams and business functions. Purpose: To drive consistent, innovative solutions that deliver both strategic and operational objectives for current account and core banking functions.