Lead Solution Architect

Department: Chief Operating Office

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London. Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship.

Closing date: 15 May 2026 23:55. We will be shortlisting on a rolling basis, so please do not delay in applying. This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found. If you require more time to apply as part of a reasonable adjustment, please contact us as soon as possible.

Recruitment Process: Telephone interview followed by two competency‑based interviews with an exercise included.

Overview: Cancer Research UK has an ambitious Technology strategy and a modern technology stack, supported by a complex hybrid infrastructure spanning on‑premise and multi‑cloud environments. This extensive and interconnected technical estate is fundamental to the charity’s ability to deliver large‑scale change initiatives, enable day‑to‑day operations, and support our long‑term vision and strategy. The Architecture team provides leadership across enterprise, solution, and infrastructure architecture, ensuring our technology ecosystem is coherent, resilient, and aligned to the diverse needs of the charity.

Responsibilities:

• Develop multi‑product architecture artifacts for delivery of end‑to‑end solutions, collaborating with Product Teams to build self‑sufficiency in design and architecture.
• Partner with Heads of Delivery, Portfolios, and Product Managers to support roadmap development and provide early triage.
• Provide architecture support, coaching, and solution assurance across Technology teams.
• Address key design decisions, balancing risks, benefits, and outcomes for complex technical problems.
• Collaborate with Lead Engineers and other technology teams to ensure the documented current state is maintained for change assessment and operational support.
• Communicate and coordinate architecture development and technical change across portfolios and products.
• Contribute to and build an active Architecture community across capabilities and partners.
• Provide in‑depth expertise within at least one specialised domain of architecture (business, enterprise, solution, infrastructure, data, security, platform, or service).

Leadership & Impact:

• Build credible stakeholder relationships and create momentum, challenging when required.
• Balance short‑term needs with long‑term strategic goals.
• Translate complex information and concepts to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Drive direction and output on day‑to‑day workload and priorities while navigating ambiguity.
• Mentor and coach colleagues, fostering continuous learning and leading through others.

Resource Management:

• Reduce costs by proactively challenging to enable the optimal cost of resource ownership and delivered architecture.
• Build inclusive environments and work with third parties.

Qualifications:

• Experienced architect with extensive experience in at least one of the following domains: business, enterprise, solution, infrastructure, data, security, platform, or service.
• Have implemented new technologies within an integrated architecture in large, complex organisations.
• Solid understanding of modern software and platform architecture approaches (e.g., microservices and cloud).
• Experience delivering architecture through Agile Product teams.
• Knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman) and industry‑wide best practices.
• Modelling and documenting experience with the ability to create models and visualisations.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem‑solving skills.

Benefits: We provide a generous benefits package, opportunities for career and personal development, high‑quality tools and support for work‑life balance.

EEO Statement: We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process, and while at work. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are under‑represented.

Internal Eligibility: Internal candidates should have completed their 6‑month ‘getting started’ period. If you do not confirm that you meet these requirements, we will not be able to progress your application.

Contact: For more information, visit our website or contact us. Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18.