Overview

We're looking for a Solution Architect to join our Group Technology Team in Milton Keynes. Our Solution Architect will proactively lead and support architecture activities that guide the development and management of a portfolio of solutions with Connells Group business and technology teams. The solutions include projects, systems, applications, technologies, processes and information. You will support the business in choosing the correct technical solutions to support growth and innovation. You will also play a key part in driving future technology architecture along with the architecture community.

Responsibilities

• Translate business and technical requirements into an architectural blueprint to achieve business objectives and document all solution architecture design and analysis work.
• Work closely with the business owners and technology teams to ensure a robust architectural runway that can support future business requirements throughout the product lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain high quality technical designs for the applications and solutions in your assigned area, noting areas of weakness or lack of conformity and addressing them when appropriate.
• Identify suitable technical solutions which will deliver business requirements and which avoid duplication of functionality and minimise the introduction of technical complexity.
• Work with internal teams and 3rd parties to develop high quality, resilient, secure and operable solutions and which optimise the full life-time cost of ownership and when they should be retired.
• Experience in at least two IT solution development disciplines, including technical or infrastructure architecture, network management, application development, middleware, database management or cloud development.
• Exposure to multiple, diverse technologies, platforms, and processing environments.
• Demonstrable knowledge and expertise in solution design standards.
• Demonstrable experience in developing and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Technical level of understanding and application of knowledge to solving problems and business challenges.
• Good understanding of strategic and emerging technology trends, and the practical application of existing and emerging technologies to new and evolving business and operating models.
• Hands on operational knowledge of Microsoft .NET, Microsoft SQL, Azure DevOps, and automated deployment tooling.
• Strong experience working with 3rd party application providers.

Desirable

• SCRUM Master / Agile Team experience
• Degree level
• Knowledge of security considerations in-line with UK GDPR including best practice
• Knowledge of event based / Microservices architecture