At a Glance
- Tasks: Design innovative solutions and lead tech direction to enhance business value.
- Company: Join Canada Life, a trusted leader in improving Canadians' well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health perks, career development, and community involvement.
- Other info: Dynamic workplace with growth opportunities and a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving change with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in IT architecture, cloud solutions, and strong collaboration skills.
The predicted salary is between 86300 - 125000 £ per year.
Permanent Full Time - Workplace Solutions Technology, within Applications Delivery, is hiring a Solutions Architect, reporting to the Director of Technology Solutions. The Solutions Architect will collaborate with Portfolio & Technology teams, as well as business leaders, sponsors, and stakeholders, to develop solution designs and technology roadmaps. They will define and maintain architecture artifacts to support project delivery, application support, and lead technical vision and direction.
The Solutions Architect will help drive organizational change by introducing new patterns and technologies that improve business value and align with modern ways of working.
What You Will Do- Design, define, and facilitate solution architecture that leverages enterprise capabilities, optimizing processes, technology, data, and people.
- Define and maintain technical architecture in collaboration with Enterprise Architecture, supporting architectural decisions, technical vision, and technology roadmaps.
- Apply organizational standards and architectural principles to define infrastructure non-functional requirements and ensure adherence to guidelines.
- Act as a focal point for resolving complex infrastructure and development issues through high-quality design.
- Proactively identify opportunities to enhance organizational efficiency through innovative solutions.
- Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends.
- Foster a high-performance culture within the architecture and engineering teams.
- Collaborate closely with peers to design scalable solutions that accommodate future architectural changes.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent experience.
- Minimum 6 years of experience in complex IT environments, particularly in architecture, application development and integration.
- 4+ years of hands-on experience in cloud solution architecture and design, with a strong understanding of Enterprise Design Patterns.
- Experience designing and implementing Microservices/Micro App architectures.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and influence technical decisions across multiple teams and priorities.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Expertise in producing clear architecture artifacts (e.g., diagrams, decision records).
- A preference for simplicity and an ability to challenge technical constraints through iterative/Agile approaches.
- Strong analytical skills to balance big-picture thinking with attention to detail across a range of contexts.
- Proven ability to build and maintain stakeholder relationships across geographies, business functions, and vendors.
- Self-starter with the ability to comfortably operate in ambiguity.
- Experience in the financial/insurance services or a similarly complex, regulated industry.
- Experience aligning architecture with business goals and IT strategy in collaboration with delivery and infrastructure teams.
- Leadership experience guiding cross-functional technology teams (BA, Dev, QA) using best practices and standards.
- Familiarity with major public cloud providers (Azure, AWS, or GCP); certifications are a plus.
- Experience with technologies such as SQL, Oracle, .NET, and AWS.
- Proficiency with CI/CD tools such as GitLab, Git, Bitbucket etc.
- Familiarity with architecture modeling languages and frameworks (UML etc.)
- Understanding of architecture disciplines across Business, Information (Data), Application, Technology, and Security.
- Experience with Agile delivery methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) and understanding of Agile principles.
- Knowledge of continuous architecture and value stream approaches to business solutions.
The base salary for this position is between $86,300.00 - $125,000.00 annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation (i.e. annual bonus, commission etc). If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.
Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Grow with Canada Life. We’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians. Our company is trusted by 1 in 3 Canadians and contributes to the strength of communities across the country. We’re looking for people who live our values every day: we step up, we do the right thing, and we deliver – for our customers, communities and each other. Are you someone who always strives to do the right thing, who steps up for themselves and others, and who delivers with impact? Then we want to hear from you!
What we offer:- Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to $2,000 annually towards education reimbursement.
- Health & Wellness: Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being.
- Time Off: In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.
- Financial Security: Company-matching pension plan, share ownership program and additional investment options.
- Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!
- Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.
Learn more about Canada Life. We’re committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact talentacquisitioncanada@canadalife.com. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Canada Life policies. Canada Life would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.
Solutions Architect employer: Canada Life
At Canada Life, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation. As a Solutions Architect, you will have access to extensive career development opportunities, flexible health benefits, and a supportive work environment that values community involvement and employee well-being. Join us in making a meaningful impact while enjoying a rewarding career in a company trusted by millions across Canada.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solutions Architect
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company, understand their tech stack, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Practise common interview questions and have your own questions ready to show your interest.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or GitHub repository that highlights your projects and achievements. This is a great way to demonstrate your expertise in solution architecture and cloud technologies to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find roles that match your skills. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm for the position and gives you a better chance of getting noticed by hiring managers.
We think you need these skills to ace Solutions Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Solutions Architect role. Highlight your experience in cloud solution architecture and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in designing scalable solutions.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on detailing your technical expertise! Include specific technologies you've worked with, like SQL, AWS, or .NET, and mention any certifications you have. This will help us see how you fit into our tech landscape.
Communicate Clearly:Since you'll be collaborating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. Use clear language in your application to show that you can bridge the gap between different teams.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Canada Life
✨Know Your Tech Inside Out
As a Solutions Architect, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in cloud solutions and enterprise design patterns. Brush up on your knowledge of technologies like SQL, AWS, and Microservices. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role involves working closely with various teams and stakeholders. Prepare examples that highlight your ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences. Think about times when you led cross-functional teams or resolved conflicts.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and architectural decision-making. Practice articulating your thought process when faced with complex infrastructure issues. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Stay Current with Industry Trends
The tech landscape is always evolving, so be prepared to discuss emerging technologies and how they can enhance business value. Research recent trends in architecture and be ready to share your insights on how they could apply to the company’s goals.