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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Design innovative tech solutions that bridge business needs and delivery teams.
- Company: Join a diverse and inclusive company committed to making a difference.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology while impacting lives in education and care services.
- Qualifications: 5+ years as a Solution Architect with strong tech and communication skills.
- Other info: Be part of a dynamic team driving transformation in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 ÂŁ per year.
About the Role
The Solution Architect is responsible for designing, governing, and assuring technology solutions that meet business needs while aligning with the transformation programme, technology strategy, architectural standards, and values. Reporting to the CTO, the role acts as a bridge between business stakeholders and delivery teams, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, cost‑effective, and fit for purpose. The role will cover both major applications and smaller EC‑System requirements across Education, Fostering, Residential, Therapeutic Services, and Central Functions.
Key Responsibilities
- Design end-to-end solution architectures across applications, data, integration, and infrastructure with an AI first approach.
- Translate business requirements into clear architectural designs and technical specifications.
- Ensure solutions align with agreed architectural principles, standards, and roadmaps.
- Produce and maintain architecture artefacts (e.g. solution diagrams, design documents, decision logs).
- Work closely with product owners, PM’s, business analysts, DevOps, and third‑party suppliers.
- Engage with stakeholders to explain architectural options, risks, and trade‑offs in clear, non‑technical terms.
- Support delivery teams throughout the lifecycle, from discovery through to implementation and handover.
- Review and assure technical designs produced for delivery teams and by suppliers.
- Identify and manage architectural risks, technical debt, and dependencies.
- Ensure solutions meet non‑functional requirements including security, performance, resilience, and compliance.
Requirements
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a Solution Architect.
- Relevant qualification or equivalent experience in IT systems administration, Child Care technology, or information systems.
- Exposure to TOGAF, Zachman, ITIL, CoBiT, Prince2 frameworks or similar would be an advantage. Evidence of ongoing learning ability essential.
Essential
- Proven experience as a Solution Architect or in a senior technical design role.
- Strong understanding of modern application architectures (e.g. cloud‑native, API‑led, microservices, AI driven).
- Experience designing solutions across multiple domains (applications, data, integration, infrastructure).
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non‑technical audiences.
- Working in agile and multi‑disciplinary delivery teams.
- Experience with cloud platforms (e.g. Azure, AWS, or GCP).
- Knowledge of integration patterns, data platforms, and security principles.
- Experience working with third‑party vendors and system integrators.
Compassis an equal‑opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As we continue to grow, we know that we must have the most talented employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to support our children and young people.
Solution Architect in Birmingham employer: Compass Fostering
Contact Detail:
Compass Fostering Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Solution Architect in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Solution Architect role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your previous architectural designs and projects. This will give potential employers a clear view of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your communication skills. Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as you'll need to bridge the gap between business stakeholders and delivery teams.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves.
We think you need these skills to ace Solution Architect in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience as a Solution Architect. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t just list your qualifications; demonstrate how your skills align with our needs. Talk about your experience with cloud platforms, architectural frameworks, and how you've tackled complex technical challenges in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We want to see your ability to communicate complex ideas simply, just like you would with non-technical stakeholders in the role.
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 Compass Fostering
✨Know Your Architecture
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of modern application architectures, especially cloud-native and microservices. Be ready to discuss how these concepts apply to the role and how you've used them in past projects.
✨Speak Their Language
Since you'll be acting as a bridge between technical teams and business stakeholders, practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. This will show that you can communicate effectively with non-technical audiences.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your experience as a Solution Architect. Highlight how you've designed end-to-end solutions and managed architectural risks, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would engage with various stakeholders during the project lifecycle. Be ready to discuss how you would gather requirements and explain architectural options, risks, and trade-offs to ensure everyone is on the same page.