At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead solution architecture, govern change, and design innovative tech solutions.
- Company: Prestigious global financial services organisation with a modern IT function.
- Benefits: Senior role with authority, competitive salary, and influence over AI adoption.
- Other info: Flexible interview process and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of architecture in a forward-thinking environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in enterprise architecture and cloud technologies; leadership skills required.
A highly prestigious global financial services organisation with a modern, forward-looking IT function is currently seeking a Lead Solution Architect. This role will act as the central authority for solution architecture across the organisation: setting standards, governing change and ensuring technology decisions align with enterprise strategy, security requirements and regulatory obligations. This is a senior, hands-on position.
You will retain direct responsibility for solution design, threat modelling and architecture consultancy across cloud, on-premises and hybrid environments, while also holding practice-level accountability for governance, prioritisation and the development of the wider architecture team. The organisation is committed to modern working practices, including the use of AI and automation to accelerate delivery, and is looking for an architect who reflects that approach.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and continuously improve the architecture change governance process, including templates, decision records and review forums.
- Establish and lead the architecture community of practice, developing capability across the team.
- Manage the solution architecture portfolio and prioritise a shared pool of architects against firm-wide demand.
- Act as the principal point of contact between the architecture practice, business relationship managers and senior stakeholders.
- Remove obstacles and protect the team’s capacity to deliver against agreed priorities.
- Lead the design, review and delivery of solutions across cloud, on-premises and hybrid technology.
- Maintain awareness of emerging technology and threat trends, including AI, large language models and autonomous agent frameworks, and their implications for architecture practice.
Key Requirements
- A broad understanding of enterprise architecture, cloud (Azure), infra, integration, identity, network, security and application platforms.
- Ability to work across cloud, on-prem and hybrid environments.
- Demonstrable experience leading or governing an architecture function, not solely contributing to one.
- Experience with architecture modelling approaches such as ArchiMate or UML.
- A demonstrable, modern approach to architecture practice, including the practical use of AI tools to support design and delivery.
- Financial services experience is advantageous but not essential.
What the Role Offers
- A senior, visible position reporting directly to the Head of Architecture, with genuine authority over governance and resource allocation.
- The opportunity to shape architecture practice within an organisation actively investing in its modernisation.
- Direct influence over how AI and automation are adopted across the architecture function.
- A structured three-stage interview process, with flexibility for candidates serving a longer notice period.
Lead Solution Architect employer: ARC IT Recruitment
Join a leading trading and investment firm in the heart of London's West End, where innovation meets excellence. As a Senior Software Engineer, you'll thrive in a collaborative work culture that prioritises technical mastery and personal growth, with the opportunity to lead a dedicated team while remaining hands-on in your craft. Enjoy a flexible 4-day work week, competitive benefits, and a commitment to best practices that empower you to make impactful contributions to the business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Solution Architect
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at ARC IT Recruitment or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to ARC IT Recruitment.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like ARC IT Recruitment.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like ARC IT Recruitment that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Solution Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at ARC IT Recruitment.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at ARC IT Recruitment and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at ARC IT Recruitment
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If ARC IT Recruitment uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
