Title: Solutions Architect
Type: Permanent
Location: Birmingham (other locations considered- Manchester, Cardiff or Leeds)
Working arrangements- Hybrid (2-3x a week)
Industry- Professional Services (Legal sector)
Overview
The organisation is hiring an experienced Solution Architect to join the Architecture & Design team. The role is responsible for designing and delivering secure, scalable, and robust technology solutions that support strategic objectives, including a Cloud First approach and ongoing digital transformation. Working closely with business stakeholders, IT delivery teams, and external partners, you will translate requirements into high-quality architectural designs.
Key Responsibilities
Solution Architecture & Delivery
• Translate business requirements into clear, end-to-end solution architectures
• Define target architectures and create transition roadmaps
• Analyse current (“as-is”) architecture to identify gaps and improvement opportunities
• Ensure solutions meet security, regulatory, and performance standards
• Design integrations with existing systems
• Align architectural designs with enterprise roadmaps and support future technology direction
Technical Leadership
• Provide technical oversight throughout solution delivery and resolve complex design issues
• Act as a liaison between delivery teams and IT technical functions
• Support policy-related decisions, including data residency
• Influence and contribute to enterprise architecture roadmaps
Stakeholder Engagement
• Communicate solution options clearly and support informed decision-making
• Build trusted relationships with business and IT stakeholders
• Drive consensus and influence key technical and strategic decisions
Innovation, Governance & Risk
• Stay informed on emerging technologies and identify opportunities for improvement
• Highlight architectural risks and propose mitigation strategies
• Maintain the information asset register
• Ensure compliance with security, data handling, and regulatory policies
Skills & Experience
Essential
• Experience across one or more IT domains
• Proven background as a Solution Architect in complex enterprise environments
• Strong capability in Microsoft Azure (IaaS, PaaS) and cloud-native architectures
• Knowledge of enterprise integration patterns and API management
• Understanding of security, compliance, and data privacy best practices
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills
• Ability to take ownership of technical challenges and deliver solutions
• Knowledge of project delivery cycles and quality assurance
• Proactive learner with interest in emerging technologies
• Understanding of data governance and information security standards
Desirable
• Experience within legal or professional services
• Familiarity with TOGAF or similar architecture frameworks
• Experience with DevOps tools and practices
• Exposure to business analysis and large-scale process change
• Experience working with third-party or offshore delivery teams
Technology Experience
• Microsoft Azure (IaaS, PaaS, Azure AD, Azure DevOps)
• Windows 365, Microsoft 365, Power Platform
• Integration technologies
• Identity & Access Management
• AI capabilities
• Enterprise applications (document management, case management, CRM, finance)
• Networking and infrastructure fundamentals
• Agile and modern delivery methodologies
Personal Attributes
• Strong strategic thinking, influencing, and diplomacy skills
• Excellent communication and leadership capability
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment
• Detail-oriented with excellent written and verbal communication
• Resilient, adaptable, and solution-focused
• Able to prioritise and work independently
• Positive, proactive, and committed to continuous development