Principal, Solution Architect - Systems (London, GB)

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development was founded in 1991 when communism was crumbling in Europe and ex-Soviet countries needed support to nurture a new private sector and democracy. Today we invest to help build market economies from central Europe to central Asia and the southern and eastern Mediterranean. We are now the largest single investor in our region. Owned by 69 countries and two intergovernmental institutions, we provide project financing for banks, industries and businesses. We also work with publicly owned companies to support privatisation, restructure state-owned firms and improve municipal services. Wherever we are active, we promote policies that bolster the business climate.

The Principal, Solution Architect is responsible for designing end-to-end solutions that solve the business's problem and supports the Technical Architect with its implementation. The Principal plays a critical role in proactively leading activities that guide the development of a portfolio of solutions, including projects, products, systems (applications, technologies, processes and information), shared infrastructure and application services. The Principal ensures technology solutions align with business objectives, value streams, architectural standards and help to shape future-state architectures that drive strategic business outcomes. Guided by the Bank's core values - putting users first, delivering elegant and reliable technology, being innovative, inquisitive and business-aware - the Principal plays a key role in ensuring that architecture is not only technically robust, but integral to the Bank's long-term success.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities

• Interpret and translate complex business and technical requirements into coherent architectural blueprints that achieve strategic business outcomes.
• Document solution architecture design and analysis work, ensuring alignment with both current needs and long-term objectives.
• Work closely with product owners and product managers to maintain a robust architectural runway that supports future product evolution.
• Collaborate with Technical Architects to transform high-level solutions into actionable, implementable designs and support delivery teams in understanding architectural intent throughout the product lifecycle.
• Lead the evaluation and ongoing development of future-state technology architecture by monitoring the current solution portfolio, identifying technical debt, legacy risks, and misalignment with business requirements.
• Analyse global and enterprise-wide trends - technological, economic, social, environmental, regulatory - and apply strategic insight to guide innovation, drive technology refreshes, and support the sustainable evolution of services and systems.
• Evaluate solution options, vendors, and platforms using tools such as cost/benefit analysis, proof of concepts, and RFP support, ensuring total cost of ownership (TCO) and fit-for-purpose design.
• Define, lead, and govern the implementation of solution architectures across business applications and technology domains.
• Develop long-term roadmaps and provide architecture guidance at both the enterprise and delivery levels to ensure solutions align with business capabilities, value streams, and strategic direction.
• Deliver enterprise-level designs and architectural artefacts (e.g. solution documents, reference models, scorecards), and provide expert consulting to teams throughout the development lifecycle.
• Partner with the PMO and project leads to track architectural alignment, facilitate architectural governance, and support a community of practice that promotes consistency, innovation, and adherence to architectural standards.

As the Solution Architect responsible for Systems, you will lead designing and implementing application architectures and integration solutions that ensure seamless communication and data flow between systems. You will be responsible for architecting application landscapes that are scalable, resilient and aligned with business objectives, ensuring that integrated systems work efficiently across the enterprise. Day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Acts as the trusted advisor, defining, governing, and evolving architectures across Information Management, Knowledge Management, OGC, OCCO, Risk, Communications, and Editorial and Creative functions.
• Develops and maintains end-to-end solution designs spanning SaaS, Low/No Code, CMS, Information and Knowledge management, and custom development platforms using Azure services, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture standards, and security and regulatory requirements.
• Translates complex business needs into technology solutions that balance cost, risk, scalability and usability, while building strong partnerships with product owners, delivery teams, and business sponsors.
• Provides expert guidance on Adobe Experience Manager for digital experience and CMS platforms.
• Defines and governs Low/No Code solutions on Microsoft Power Platform, ensuring best practice adoption and data governance.
• Leads the evaluation of SaaS products and integrations for suitability, security and alignment with architectural principles.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Strong ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly, both in written and verbal formats, particularly when engaging with stakeholders.
• Experience in capturing technical requirements and documenting them in written and pictorial (PowerPoint, Visio etc).
• Experience in engaging with business and IT stakeholders to gather requirements and ensure alignment between architecture and business goals.
• Experience working within Agile, DevOps, and product-aligned teams, contributing to sprint-based and continuous delivery.
• Demonstrable experience working within TOGAF with deep understanding of its application.
• Expertise in solution integration, process orchestration, and data flow design across enterprise systems.
• Demonstrable experience supporting enterprise change initiatives.
• Expert knowledge in knowledge management solutions.
• Practical expertise in Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI) and governance models.
• Deep understanding of SaaS platforms, identity and access management (e.g. Microsoft Entra) and integration approaches.
• Strong grasp of enterprise integration patterns, APIs, middleware and event-driven architectures.
• Experience in leading solution architecture using Azure services.
• Deep understanding of Java application design and development practices, enabling effective collaboration with engineering teams.
• Strong knowledge of data, security, compliance and risk with shared service functions.
• Proven capability in designing solutions across multiple technology domains in complex organisations.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering architecture in at least one of the relevant business areas: Legal, Compliance, Risk, or Communications/Marketing.
• Experienced in leading architecture on cross-functional projects, managing diverse stakeholders and influencing senior decision-makers.
• Extensive background in working with SaaS, Low/No Code and custom development solutions within enterprise environments.
• Ability to create and maintain architectural artefacts consumable by technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional development in solution architecture and technology innovation, as reflected in certifications and training.

What is it like to work at the EBRD? / About EBRD Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people's lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in. At EBRD, our Values - Inclusiveness, Innovation, Trust, and Responsibility - are at the heart of how we work. We bring these to life through our Workplace Behaviours: listening well and speaking up, collaborating smartly, acting decisively.