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- Tasks: Lead the design and governance of CIPD's digital architecture and solutions.
- Company: Join CIPD, a leading professional body for HR and people professionals.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, personal development allowance, and a cashback health scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on digital transformation in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in designing complex architectures and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Flexible hybrid working with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 75000 £ per year.
Salary £65,000–£70,000 plus benefits. Permanent full‑time (35 hours per week). Location: Wimbledon (flexible and hybrid working).
About CIPD – We’ve championed better work and working lives for over 100 years. We help organisations thrive by focusing on their people, supporting our economies and societies. CIPD is the leading professional body for HR, L&D, OD and all people professionals – experts in people, work and change. With over 160,000 members globally, we give trusted advice, independent thought leadership and a wide range of professional development opportunities. We offer an inclusive and stimulating culture and a commitment to wellbeing, including a cashback health scheme.
Benefits – 28 days’ holiday (option to buy/sell days), personal development allowance, award‑winning pension scheme, wellbeing commitment.
Role Overview: As a Solution Architect you will lead the definition, governance and end‑to‑end design of CIPD’s digital architecture. You will direct technical designs, ensure all solutions align to enterprise architecture principles, long‑term strategy and organisational technology goals.
What you’ll be doing:
- Lead definition and governance of the core architectural building blocks underpinning CIPD’s digital landscape.
- Set and maintain architectural standards, patterns and guardrails across digital and technology delivery.
- Act as the solution authority for major programmes, guiding evaluation and selection of technology approaches.
- Design end‑to‑end solutions that address functional and non‑functional requirements, ensuring scalability, security and longevity.
- Ensure architectural decisions translate into executable programme delivery and remain aligned to long‑term strategy.
- Provide authoritative technical direction throughout the project lifecycle to unblock progress and reduce risk.
- Balance immediate delivery priorities with long‑term architectural strategic vision.
- Lead architectural estimating, technical risk assessment and GAP analysis.
- Support data architecture.
- Define and deliver proofs of concept to validate architectural choices.
- Oversee successful delivery of integrated, resilient digital solutions across the organisation.
What you’ll need to be successful:
- Extensive experience designing complex, distributed architectures.
- Expert knowledge of APIs, SaaS, iPaaS, cloud environments, IAM, integrations and security models.
- Ability to lead architectural governance and influence senior stakeholders.
- Strong experience translating strategic objectives into architectural roadmaps.
- Skilled in Agile delivery, modelling tools and DevOps‑aligned approaches.
- Attend and participate in requirements sessions with business stakeholders and vendor‑led workshops.
- Good verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain digital concepts and technologies for senior leaders and key stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders and across organisational boundaries to achieve results through Agile Methodology, Modelling Tools (Bizzdesign), Continuous Integration and DevOps.
Equal Opportunity: We are determined to ensuring employment policy and practice promote and deliver EDI at every stage of the employment relationship. By embracing our differences and creating equal opportunities and inclusive cultures we can build environments where everyone feels respected, valued and able to thrive.
Application: If this role describes you and your career aspirations, click apply.
Solution Architect employer: CIPD
Contact Detail:
CIPD Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Solution Architect
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in a Solution Architect role. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, don’t hold back on showcasing your expertise. Talk about your experience with APIs, cloud environments, and Agile delivery. Make sure they see you as the go-to person for architectural solutions!
✨Tailor Your Approach
Every company is different, so do your homework! Understand CIPD’s values and how they align with your skills. When you apply through our website, make sure your application reflects how you can contribute to their mission of championing better work and working lives.
✨Follow Up
After an interview or networking event, don’t be shy—send a quick follow-up message! Thank them for their time and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It shows you’re genuinely interested and keeps you fresh in their minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Solution Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Solution Architect role. Highlight your experience with digital architecture, APIs, and cloud environments. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your experience in Agile delivery and working with stakeholders.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to showcase your technical expertise. Mention specific projects where you’ve designed complex architectures or led governance initiatives. We love seeing real examples of your work!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at CIPD
✨Know Your Architecture Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and technologies related to digital architecture. Brush up on your knowledge of APIs, cloud environments, and security models, as these are crucial for the role. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with them, but that you can lead discussions around them.
✨Prepare Real-World Examples
Think of specific projects where you’ve designed complex architectures or led governance processes. Be ready to share how you tackled challenges, made architectural decisions, and ensured alignment with long-term strategies. This will help demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Understand Their Culture and Values
CIPD values inclusivity and wellbeing, so it’s important to align your answers with their culture. Research their commitment to EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) and think about how your own values and experiences reflect this. Showing that you fit into their culture can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that show your interest in the role and the organisation. Inquire about their current architectural challenges, how they measure success in this position, or what tools they use for Agile delivery. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
