Solutions Architect (1249)

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: property, corporate services, litigation and private client advisory.

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.

With our ambition to succeed, comes a strong desire to make a positive contribution to the communities we serve, and we are committed to delivering the objectives set out in our ESG strategy. Diversity plays an integral part in all that we do, with female partners comprising 40% of our partnership.

Purpose of job

Our Goal: As we embark on an ambitious digital transformation project, we aim to create innovative, technology-based solutions that empower our lawyers and deliver exceptional digital products and services to our clients while addressing technical debt and moving away from legacy systems.

Role Overview: The Solutions Architect will play a pivotal role in our digital transformation journey. This role involves designing and implementing flexible, scalable solutions that support the firm's growth and strategic objectives. The Solutions Architect will work closely with our lawyers, clients, internal technical teams, and third-party suppliers to deliver cutting-edge technology solutions.

Accountabilities

• Solution Design: Develop and design innovative technology solutions that address technical debt, modernise legacy systems, and create new digital products and services for both internal and client-facing applications.
• Collaboration: Work closely with lawyers, clients, internal technical resources, and third-party suppliers to understand requirements, gather feedback, and ensure solutions meet business needs.
• 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.
• Innovation: Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, identifying opportunities to leverage new tools and methodologies to enhance our solutions.
• Documentation: Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for all solutions, including architecture diagrams, technical specifications, and user guides.
• Quality Assurance: Oversee testing and quality assurance processes to ensure solutions are robust, reliable, and meet performance standards.
• Support: Provide ongoing support and maintenance for implemented solutions, addressing any issues or enhancements as needed.
• Strategy: Help set the firm's technology strategy, aligning solutions with business goals and long-term vision.
• Innovation Culture: 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.

Qualifications/Experience

• Education: A degree qualification is helpful but not mandated; equivalent qualifications and experience are acceptable.
• Experience: Proven experience as a Solutions Architect or similar role, preferably within the legal or professional services industry.
• Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of software development, system architecture, cloud computing (Microsoft Azure), and data management. Proficiency in relevant programming languages and frameworks.
• Desirable Skills: Experience with legal practice management systems, document management systems, workflow automation, Microsoft Fabric, service-oriented architecture, data analytics, business intelligence, DevOps, and agile working practices such as SCRUM and SAFE.
• Analytical Skills: Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to think strategically and translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Communication: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Leadership: Demonstrated leadership abilities, with experience leading technical teams and managing complex projects.
• Certifications: Relevant certifications (e.g., TOGAF, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert) are a plus.

Equal opportunities

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) (rising to 30) plus Bank Holidays
• 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

https://www.birketts.co.uk/recognition-reward-benefits/

Birketts is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where our colleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible, agile, and part-time roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

Birketts is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation.

We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.