At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of payment solutions and ensure they meet business needs.
- Company: Join Santander, a leading bank transforming payments technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, 30+ days holiday, and a generous pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team driving change in payments technology with a focus on innovation.
- Qualifications: Experience in payments processing and architecture design is essential; leadership skills are a plus.
- Other info: Hybrid working available; part-time options encouraged.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Country: United Kingdom
Interested in part-time, job-share or flexible working? We want to talk to you!
A fantastic opportunity is available to join the Payments & Cards Architecture Team as a Senior Solution Architect. This is an exciting time for the payments technology teams, as we transform how we operate within the Bank alongside the Payments Centre of Excellence and key suppliers to meet evolving customer expectations and industry changes. The team concentrates on the functional architecture of applications and how they interact with other systems and works as an architecture community across domains, sharing reusable patterns and solutions learnt on projects, independently of projects and domains. We are building a motivated team with big goals, so we seek individuals who are truly passionate about their work and possess the enthusiasm to make things happen. If you share our passion for technology and payments, come join us and deliver!
The difference you’ll make:
- Producing functional architecture for projects
- Reviewing the designs that have been produced by engineering teams, using guidance and patterns that have been provided to them by architecture
- Validating that solutions align to the strategies of Santander UK and Group
- Balancing business requirements with functional and technical strategy
- Working with the wider engineering community to deliver sustainable solutions
What you’ll bring:
These are the essential requirements you need to be successful in this role:
- Knowledge and experience of payments processing, covering all stages, including execution, gateways, MT Swift Messaging and industry standards, including ISO 20022
- Significant experience of architecture design, defining and documenting pragmatic architectures, that balance business requirements with functional and technical strategy
- Experience working with stakeholders to help define and deliver strategic objectives and roadmaps
- A passion for driving change by creating practical, workable architectures aligned to IT principles and following appropriate governance
- Knowledge of planning and organizing concepts and best practices with the ability to manage multiple projects
- Experience in line management or team leadership
It would also be nice for you to have:
- Knowledge & experience of international payments and CBPR+
- Working knowledge of the BIAN framework, TOGAF, ArchiMate and the C4 model
- Experience of using architecture tools such as Avolution Abacus
- Knowledge & experience of APIs and microservices
What else you need to know:
This role is a permanent position to be based in Milton Keynes. We want our people to thrive at work and home, and also be able to deliver the best outcomes for our customers and to help each other develop. To support this, we offer site-based contracts with a hybrid working pattern and our expected level of attendance in an office is at least 12 days per month (pro-rata for part-time roles). If you apply for this role in this location, it’s important you consider your travelling distance, time and cost from your home to the office location. We’re happy to discuss specific working patterns and arrangement within this hybrid approach during the recruitment process. If you’re interested in this role but with part-time hours or a job-share we would still love to hear from you and discuss these.
Application process:
If your application is successful a member of our recruitment team will be in touch. We will arrange a short call with you to learn more about you and what you are looking for from your next career move, as well as answer any questions you have about working in the Santander tech team. If both sides agree we will send your CV to the hiring manager to review. For this position, the interview process will be:
- 1st Stage – A 60 minute virtual interview consisting of competency and some technical questions
- 2nd Stage – A 60 minute face to face, or virtual interview (depending on your circumstances), consisting of technical questions and covering your Payments domain knowledge
If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, please let us know.
Inclusion:
At Santander we’re creating a thriving workplace where all colleagues feel they belong and are supported to succeed. We all help to make Santander a workplace that celebrates diversity and attracts, retains and develops the most talented and committed people through living our values of Simple, Personal, and Fair.
How we’ll reward you:
As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs. Eligible for a discretionary performance-related annual bonus. We put 8% of salary into your pension, even if you don’t contribute yourself. We’ll pay in up to 12.5% of salary, if you contribute as well, and you can take some of our contribution in cash if you prefer. 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, which increases to 31 days after 5yrs service, with the option to purchase up to 5 contractual days per year. £6,000 car allowance per year. Company funded individual private medical insurance. Voluntary healthcare benefits at discounted rates such as private medical insurance for your family, dental insurance, and health assessments. Protection for you and your family, with company-funded death-in-service benefit and income protection insurance, and the option to take advantage of discounted rates for additional life assurance and critical illness cover. Share in Santander’s success by saving or investing in our share plans. As a Santander UK employee, you are able to request staff versions of our products like our Edge Current Accounts and Credit Cards with no fees, as well as apply to many other deals and discounts in Santander products and services.
What to do next:
If this sounds like a role you’re interested in, then please apply. If there’s anything we can do in the recruitment process to help you achieve your best, get in touch. Whether it’s a copy of our application form in another format or additional assistance, we’re available through telephone, email, or face to face. You can contact us at or call 0870 414 9080.
Senior Solution Architect (Payments) | S4 employer: Banco Santander SA
Contact Detail:
Banco Santander SA Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Solution Architect (Payments) | S4
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in payments technology. Understanding current innovations and industry standards like ISO 20022 will not only boost your confidence but also demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the payments sector. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with others who share your passion. This can lead to valuable insights and potential referrals that could help you land the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the technical interview by brushing up on your architecture design skills. Be ready to discuss how you've previously balanced business requirements with functional strategies, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership experience during the interview process. Highlight specific instances where you've successfully managed teams or projects, as this aligns with the expectations for a Senior Solution Architect.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Solution Architect (Payments) | S4
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in payments processing and architecture design. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to balance business requirements with functional and technical strategies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for technology and payments. Mention how your skills align with the role's requirements and how you can contribute to the Payments & Cards Architecture Team.
Highlight Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on your significant experience in architecture design and stakeholder engagement. Include any relevant projects that showcase your ability to deliver sustainable solutions.
Prepare for Interviews: Anticipate both competency and technical questions related to payments and architecture. Be ready to discuss your knowledge of industry standards like ISO 20022 and frameworks such as TOGAF or BIAN.
How to prepare for a job interview at Banco Santander SA
✨Understand Payments Processing
Make sure you have a solid grasp of payments processing, including execution, gateways, and industry standards like ISO 20022. Be prepared to discuss your experience in these areas during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Architectural Experience
Highlight your significant experience in architecture design. Be ready to provide examples of how you've defined and documented pragmatic architectures that balance business needs with technical strategies.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to work with stakeholders to define and deliver strategic objectives. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've successfully collaborated with others to achieve project goals.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Since the interview will include technical questions, brush up on your knowledge of APIs, microservices, and relevant architecture frameworks like TOGAF and ArchiMate. Being well-prepared will help you stand out.