At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead architectural direction and modernise cloud adoption for a top financial services organisation.
- Company: Join a leading financial services firm committed to innovation and transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Ideal for experienced architects seeking a high-ownership role in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Take ownership of architecture and make a significant impact on technology evolution.
- Qualifications: Strong engineering background with expertise in Microsoft technologies and cloud awareness.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 75000 € per year.
Location: Leeds (Hybrid)
Salary: £75,000
Take ownership of Application Architecture Modernisation and Cloud Adoption for a leading Financial Services Organisation. We're supporting a leading Financial Services organisation on a multi-year evolution of its core platforms and technology landscape. This role offers a rare opportunity to step in as the Architect, taking full ownership of architectural direction, governance, and process across the business.
You'll operate across both technical depth and enterprise-level thinking, helping the organisation move from a predominantly on-prem Microsoft estate towards a more modern, API-led and cloud-ready architecture, at a pace that aligns with business risk and regulatory requirements.
What You'll Be Doing
- Own the Architecture Function: Act as the organisation's primary Architect, establishing architecture practices, governance, and processes, including involvement in and shaping of Technical Design Authority (TDA).
- Technical Leadership & Decision-Making: Work closely with Engineers and senior stakeholders to drive key decisions across areas such as APIs, authentication, integration patterns, and application design.
- Application & Platform Architecture: Lead the evolution of a core Microsoft-based platform, currently on-prem, introducing scalable, modern architectural patterns.
- API & Integration Strategy: Play a key role in shaping a more API-led ecosystem, including the potential introduction of an API Gateway and improved service-to-service communication.
- Cloud Readiness & Transformation: Support early-stage cloud adoption, helping define a pragmatic, low-risk path to Azure, balancing innovation with regulatory and operational considerations.
- Collaboration Across Technology: Partner closely with an established Infrastructure SME, ensuring a clear separation and alignment between infrastructure and application architecture.
- Governance & Standards: Introduce structure, best practices, and architectural governance across the technology landscape, ensuring consistency, scalability, and security.
What You'll Bring
- Strong Engineering Background: Previous hands-on development experience (ideally within the Microsoft stack), with the credibility to engage deeply with engineering teams.
- Architectural Experience (Solution or Enterprise): Able to operate both tactically and strategically, with a clear understanding of how solutions fit within a wider enterprise context.
- Microsoft-Centric Expertise: Strong knowledge of .NET, C#, SQL Server, and designing within Microsoft-based environments.
- API & Integration Knowledge: Experience designing or working with API-driven architectures, authentication models, and modern integration patterns.
- Cloud Awareness (Azure Preferred): Exposure to cloud architecture and migration concepts, even if the majority of experience to date is within on-prem environments.
- Governance & Stakeholder Engagement: Comfortable setting up architectural processes, contributing to design authorities, and influencing both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Why Apply
- Be THE Architect: Take true ownership of architecture within the organisation, with the autonomy to define standards and direction.
- Make a Visible Impact: Play a central role in shaping how technology evolves across a key, business-critical platform.
- Blend Strategy and Hands-On Influence: Stay close to engineering while influencing enterprise-wide decisions.
- Transformation Without Chaos: Join a business that is committed to modernisation, but taking a considered, pragmatic approach to cloud and change.
This role is ideal for an experienced Solutions Architect who wants to step into a lead, high-ownership position, balancing hands-on technical influence with the opportunity to build and mature an architecture function from the ground up.
Locations
Solution Architect in Leeds, Yorkshire employer: Harvey Nash
Join a leading Financial Services organisation in Leeds as a Solutions Architect, where you will take ownership of architectural direction and governance in a hybrid work environment. Enjoy a collaborative culture that values innovation and strategic thinking, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development as you help modernise core platforms and drive cloud adoption. This role offers the unique chance to make a significant impact on the technology landscape while working closely with engineering teams and senior stakeholders.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solution Architect in Leeds, Yorkshire
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even local tech events. The more you engage with others, the better your chances of hearing about opportunities that might not be advertised.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those related to cloud architecture or API design. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on both technical and soft skills. Be ready to discuss your architectural decisions and how they align with business goals. Remember, it’s not just about what you know, but how you communicate it!
✨Apply Through Us!
We’ve got some fantastic roles waiting for you on our website. Don’t hesitate to apply directly through us – it’s a great way to get noticed and show your enthusiasm for the position!
We think you need these skills to ace Solution Architect in Leeds, Yorkshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Solutions Architect role. Highlight your experience with Microsoft technologies, cloud adoption, and architectural governance to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've led architectural transformations or worked with APIs and cloud solutions in the past.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t shy away from detailing your technical expertise! We want to see your hands-on experience with .NET, C#, and SQL Server, as well as any cloud migration projects you've been involved in.
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 this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harvey Nash
✨Know Your Architecture Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the principles of application architecture and cloud adoption. Brush up on your knowledge of Microsoft technologies, especially .NET and C#, as well as API-driven architectures. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you’re ready to take ownership of the architectural direction.
✨Prepare for Technical Leadership Questions
Expect questions about your experience in leading technical teams and making architectural decisions. Think of specific examples where you’ve influenced design choices or established governance processes. This will demonstrate your ability to operate at both tactical and strategic levels.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
This role requires working closely with engineers and stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past, particularly in shaping integration strategies or driving cloud readiness. Highlighting your communication skills will be key to showing you can bridge the gap between technical and non-technical teams.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the financial services sector and the regulatory landscape. Be ready to discuss how architectural decisions can impact business risk and compliance. Showing that you understand the broader context will set you apart as a candidate who can align technology with business goals.
