At AQA, we're committed to advancing education and we're committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it's our people who make this happen.
Solution Architect
Manchester: £74,360 - £87,300
Milton Keynes: £77,427 - £90,900
18 Month FTC
Smart Working - Approximately 2 days per week in office although this may be more/less depending on work requirements.
At AQA, we're dedicated to making a significant and positive impact on schools, teachers, and students across the UK. As we advance our digital transformation, we're seeking a Solutions Architect to join our Enterprise Technology team. This is your chance to influence how we leverage cutting-edge technologies to drive educational excellence.
Purpose
In your role as Solution Architect you will operate within the (Enterprise Technology) Enterprise Architecture team working closely with the Enterprise Architect. You will lead on the delivery of Solutions Architecture services, designing and ensuring delivery of IT solutions that meet business requirements.
You will provide solution architecture consultancy support to colleagues and business stakeholders, providing effective and pragmatic advice, guidance, direction and architectural liaison between technology and business stakeholders shaping and guiding solution delivery in the drive to deliver proportionate and effective solutions that meet desired business outcomes.
What you'll get:
- Generous Annual Leave: 25 days of annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service, plus all Bank Holidays and additional Christmas office closure.
- Flexible Working: A 35-hour week with the empowerment to deliver requirements of your role when it suits everyone.
- Develop yourself at work: Receive sponsorship for apprenticeships and other qualifications.
- Competitive Pension Scheme: Excellent contributory pension plan (6% - 11.5% based on your contribution).
- Your health and wellbeing: BUPA private medical insurance, gym membership/ access and free access the Headspace app.
- Other benefits: Life assurance, electric car salary sacrifice and an enhanced maternity/paternity scheme.
To be successful in this role, you will need to know:
- Proven solution architect with a strong track record of related IT expertise and delivery across a number of practices within the IT industry.
- Expert working knowledge and understanding of Enterprise applications frameworks, Service Oriented Architecture, Enterprise architecture, Information modelling and design frameworks, Physical Infrastructure and deployment models, Architecture and design frameworks such as TOGAF, ZACHMAN etc
- Expert knowledge and understanding of Mainstream computing platforms and architectures, Operating systems, Databases, End user computing platforms, Networks and communications, Cloud computing delivery platforms (IaaS, PaaS & SaaS), Virtualisation, Integration services, architecture design standards, development methodologies.
- Extensive experience of enterprise class organisations with cloud / mixed IT footprints and related modernisation of corporate architecture and application of appropriate governance
- Expert knowledge and understanding of implementing technical changes in existing legacy IT estates
- Possess a broad understanding of and experience in working within programme and project management methodologies and governance
- Experience of operating with and within hybrid support functions - internal and external / 3rd party organisations
- Responsive to short-term challenges / priorities whilst holding to clear strategy and direction
Ready to apply?
If the role looks of interest and you would like to apply, please do so via our portal. Every application will be provided with a written response!
We are reviewing applications as they come through and reserve the right to close this role early.
Recruitment Agencies
We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.
Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.
**Full Job Description
Summary
Purpose:
In your role as Solution Architect you will operate within the (Enterprise Technology) Enterprise Architecture team working closely with the Enterprise Architect. You will lead on the delivery of Solutions Architecture services, designing and ensuring delivery of IT solutions that meet business requirements.
You will provide solution architecture consultancy support to colleagues and business stakeholders, providing effective and pragmatic advice, guidance, direction and architectural liaison between technology and business stakeholders shaping and guiding solution delivery in the drive to deliver proportionate and effective solutreshing and implementing the AQA technology strategy, leading on specific areas as required.
Active participation, contribution, control, and management of architectural community, forums, and design authorities.
Directly contribute to the definition and verification of adherence to technical standards covering areas such as Application, Infrastructure and Integration architectures, Security and Access Control, Resilience and Reliability, Processing, Storage and Network architectures etc.
Take ownership, work with, and support business stakeholders and Enterprise Technology colleagues in the design and delivery of appropriately scoped architectural solutions ensuring that what is proposed satisfies business requirements and quality, cost and time criteria and is in line with current architectural standards ensuring buy-in to the proposed solution propositions.
Undertake purposeful 'horizon scanning' ensuring that AQA is positioned well to be able to benefit from emerging technologies, architectures and standards. Research and explore opportunities for solutions to meet AQA's business objectives and develop clear cost benefit analysis for the adoption of particular approaches.
As part of the evolution of the IT strategy, establish and regularly review clear technology roadmaps and associated systems life cycles ensuring that AQA is able to identify technology opportunities and manage technology and architecture related risks effectively.
Review all systems solutions implemented across Enterprise and Assessment Technology areas of the business to ensure compliance with the IT strategy and related Enterprise Architec