Overview

At DWF, we're shaping the future of Legal tech. As an early adopter of AI tools and a Microsoft Frontier Client, we are redefining what is possible in the legal sector. The Solutions Architect will lead the consolidation of our application portfolio and create an executable migration path for current enterprise applications to our SaaS and Azure Cloud future-state. This is a career-defining opportunity to lead the way in shaping the company’s future legal applications platform. By evaluating the current environment, crafting an innovative integration strategy, and guiding engineering teams with vision and expertise, this role promises to be transformative and inspiring. This high-impact role requires broad technical expertise and strategic leadership to unify our technology and align it with business goals. You will collaborate with the IT Infrastructure & Operations Director and the Head of Security to ensure the applications, infrastructure, and security roadmaps align with a clear path to consolidation. Join a team that is disrupting tradition with innovation and leading the way in transforming how Legal services are delivered. DWF Office Locations: Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Birmingham, Bristol, Southampton, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow.

Responsibilities

• Application Portfolio Mapping: cataloguing all enterprise applications, documenting each system’s purpose, capabilities, technology stack, ownership, and interdependencies. Identify areas of overlap or redundancy in functionality, especially those stemming from past acquisitions.
• Application Portfolio Analysis & Planning: use data‑driven analysis of the application portfolio to inform consolidation decisions. Prioritise investments, retirements, and sequencing.
• Consolidation Roadmap Development: develop a structured engineering roadmap to consolidate and streamline the portfolio. Align with business priorities and ensure stakeholder engagement.
• Target Architecture Design: define an optimised landscape of core systems that support all business functions, ensuring scalability, security, and resilience using modern approaches such as cloud-native services, microservices, and robust data architecture.
• Integration & Migration Planning: plan and lead system integrations and data migrations required by the consolidation roadmap. Develop strategies for moving users and data from legacy systems to new destinations.
• Technology Evaluation & Standardisation: lead evaluation and selection of tools, platforms, and technologies for the consolidated environment and drive standardisation.
• Architectural Governance: establish and govern architecture standards and best practices, embedding security, compliance, and data privacy in designs and plans.
• Project Leadership & Execution Support: provide technical leadership during consolidation projects and act as a technical advisor for architecture-related questions.
• Progress Monitoring & Communication: track progress toward the consolidated architecture and define metrics to measure success and impact.

Qualifications

What will help you succeed in this role?

• Essential
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or relevant experience.
• Experience in the Professional Services industry.
• Demonstrable experience in software/solution architecture roles, including time as an Application Architect overseeing large-scale portfolios.
• Experience leading application rationalisation or IT modernisation in complex organisations.
• Deep understanding of application portfolio management and consolidation strategies.
• Strong experience in Azure.

• Desirable
• Experience in the Legal/Legal Applications industry.
• Experience with Sharedo, HubSpot, SnapLogic or Legora is beneficial.
• Relevant certifications such as TOGAF or Zachman, and Cloud Architect credentials (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect Expert).

What we offer

We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and rewarded. Our rewards package extends beyond a basic salary, with a diverse array of benefits to tailor to individual and family needs. In addition to standard benefits, we offer flexible benefits and robust well-being programs. We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity and provides adjustments or support as needed. If your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all requirements, please apply anyway—you may be the right candidate for this role or others across the wider team.

About Us

DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. Our approach delivers efficiency, price certainty and transparency for our clients worldwide, without compromising on quality or service. Our purpose is to deliver positive outcomes with colleagues, clients and communities, and we foster a culture that places colleagues at the center of all that we do.