At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of public websites to Drupal, focusing on requirements and solution design.
- Company: Join a higher education organisation committed to innovative web solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse stakeholders and contribute to impactful projects.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital education with your architectural expertise in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in Business Analysis/Solution Design with strong Drupal skills.
Learn more about the general tasks related to this opportunity below, as well as required skills.
Outside IR35 £525.00 Until end of July initially
Website Transformation Higher Education Organisation
Drupal Architect to support the discovery phase of a large-scale public website transformation within a higher education organisation. The programme is moving multiple public-facing websites from a legacy CMS to Drupal and requires senior architectural input to gather, rationalise and harmonise requirements across distinct product groups.
This role works under the Head of Web and alongside an existing Solutions Architect and internal Business Analyst. The focus is squarely on requirements, solution design and reuse strategy, not build or delivery.
Programme Context
The organisation currently operates multiple legacy CMS sites serving different audiences and product areas, including international and UK-focused content and assessment-related material. These will be migrated to separate Drupal instances per product group, aligned through a shared design and reuse approach. Most capability is expected to be common across sites, with some product-specific bespoke requirements. The immediate aim is to step away from legacy platforms and establish a clear, reusable Drupal blueprint that can be taken to market through a formal RFP for delivery partners.
The Assignment
The initial discovery phase is already underway. This contract strengthens the architecture and design capability by adding a business-facing Drupal technical architect who can:
- Work with stakeholders to understand what they need
- Assess how Drupal can fulfil those needs
- Harmonise overlapping requirements across product groups
- Shape high-level designs that balance reuse with necessary variation
The outputs from this engagement will form the baseline set of requirements and designs used across all product groups ahead of vendor procurement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and support requirements discovery workshops with business and product stakeholders
- Consolidate, de-duplicate and harmonise requirements across multiple product groups
- Work alongside the Drupal Solutions Architect to define high-level solution options
- Translate agreed approaches into High-Level Technical Designs (HLDs), covering:
- Content models
- Component and pattern choices
- Reuse versus bespoke decisions
- Integration considerations where relevant
In Scope / Out of Scope
In scope
- Requirements elicitation, consolidation and harmonisation
- High-level solution outlining
- High-Level Technical Design (HLD) creation
- Reuse and consistency assessment
- Discovery-phase knowledge transfer
Out of scope
- Detailed or low-level technical architecture
- Platform governance
- Build or implementation delivery
- BAU support or infrastructure operations
- Vendor selection or supplier management
Skills & Experience Required
Essential
- Extensive experience (circa 10+ years) in hybrid Business Analysis / Solution Design roles
- Strong, hands-on Drupal expertise, including:
- Content modelling
- Site building
- Clear understanding of what Drupal can and cannot deliver without custom development
- Demonstrable experience producing High-Level Technical Designs
- Familiarity with modern Drupal concepts such as Recipes, Install Profiles, Distributions, SDC and Storybook
- Confident facilitating workshops and challenging stakeholders to align on shared solutions
- Comfortable operating in complex, multi-stakeholder environments
Desirable
- Drupal certification (Acquia or equivalent) or community contributions
- Previous experience supporting a Solutions Architect within a platform or multi-site model
- Familiarity with Figma, design tokens or design-system processes
- Working knowledge of WCAG 2.2 accessibility standards
- Experience with Jira, Confluence or requirements traceability tooling
Drupal Architect in Aberdeen employer: Harvey Nash
Contact Detail:
Harvey Nash Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Drupal Architect in Aberdeen
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the higher education sector or Drupal community. Attend meetups, webinars, or online forums to get your name out there and learn about potential opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Create a portfolio showcasing your previous Drupal projects and architectural designs. This will give potential employers a clear idea of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of Drupal and its capabilities. Be ready to discuss how you can harmonise requirements and design solutions that balance reuse with bespoke needs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! We have a range of opportunities that might be perfect for you, and applying directly helps us keep track of your application.
We think you need these skills to ace Drupal Architect in Aberdeen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with Drupal and solution design. We want to see how your skills align with the specific requirements of the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Experience: When detailing your past roles, focus on your hands-on Drupal expertise and any high-level technical designs you've produced. We love seeing concrete examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your writing is easy to follow and directly addresses the key responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harvey Nash
✨Know Your Drupal Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Drupal knowledge before the interview. Understand the latest features, concepts like Recipes and Install Profiles, and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past projects. This will show that you're not just familiar with Drupal, but that you can leverage its capabilities effectively.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
Since this role involves working closely with various stakeholders, practice how you'll facilitate workshops and gather requirements. Think of examples where you've successfully aligned different interests and how you managed to harmonise overlapping requirements. This will demonstrate your ability to navigate complex environments.
✨Showcase Your Technical Design Skills
Be ready to discuss your experience in producing High-Level Technical Designs (HLDs). Prepare to explain your approach to content modelling and how you balance reuse with bespoke solutions. Having concrete examples will help you illustrate your expertise and thought process.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Accessibility Standards
Given the importance of WCAG 2.2 standards in web development, make sure you understand these guidelines. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure accessibility in your designs and any previous experiences you've had in implementing these standards. This will highlight your commitment to inclusive design.