Solutions Architect

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