Drupal Architect in London

Drupal Architect in London

London Freelance Home office (partial)
Harvey Nash

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 enhance your career in a supportive team.
  • 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
  • Assess requirements against reusable Drupal assets and patterns, identifying where common solutions apply
  • Maintain clear traceability between business goals, requirements and architectural outcomes
  • Write user stories and acceptance criteria to support backlog refinement
  • Contribute to knowledge transfer across the programme during discovery
  • 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 London employer: Harvey Nash

    As a leading higher education organisation, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. The Drupal Architect role offers the unique opportunity to contribute to a significant website transformation project, with a focus on professional growth and development through hands-on experience in a dynamic environment. Our commitment to employee well-being is reflected in our supportive team structure and the chance to work alongside experienced professionals, ensuring that your contributions are valued and impactful.
    Harvey Nash

    Contact Detail:

    Harvey Nash Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Drupal Architect in London

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the higher education sector or Drupal community. Attend meetups, webinars, or even local events 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, especially those involving complex requirements and solution designs. This will help you stand out when chatting with potential employers.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of Drupal architecture and best practices. Be ready to discuss how you've harmonised requirements in past roles and how you can contribute to the website transformation project.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Don't forget to apply through our website! We make it easy for you to find and apply for roles that match your skills. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining our team and contributing to exciting projects.

    We think you need these skills to ace Drupal Architect in London

    Drupal Expertise
    Content Modelling
    Site Building
    High-Level Technical Design (HLD)
    Requirements Elicitation
    Solution Design
    Workshop Facilitation
    Stakeholder Management
    Familiarity with Modern Drupal Concepts
    Knowledge of WCAG 2.2 Accessibility Standards
    Experience with Jira
    Experience with Confluence
    Requirements Traceability
    Adaptability in Multi-Stakeholder Environments

    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 Requirements Discovery

    Since this role involves leading requirements discovery workshops, think about how you would approach this task. Prepare examples of how you've facilitated similar workshops in the past, and be ready to discuss techniques for harmonising overlapping requirements across different stakeholders.

    ✨Showcase Your Technical Design Skills

    Be prepared to talk about your experience in producing High-Level Technical Designs (HLDs). Bring examples of previous designs you've created, and explain how they addressed both reuse and bespoke needs. This will demonstrate your ability to balance technical requirements with business goals.

    ✨Familiarise Yourself with the Organisation's Context

    Research the higher education organisation and their current CMS challenges. Understanding their specific needs and how your skills can help them transition from legacy systems to Drupal will give you an edge. Tailor your responses to show how you can contribute to their website transformation project.

    Drupal Architect in London
    Harvey Nash
    Location: London

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