Principal Cloud and AI Solution Architect

Welcome to Hastings Direct. We’re a digital insurance provider with ambitious plans to become the best and biggest in the UK market. We’ve made huge investments in our data and tech capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture. We’re proud of the journey we’re on as a company and know that our continued success will rely on the contribution of our talented colleagues.

As a Solution Architect, you’ll be joining a team at the forefront of defining our Cloud infrastructure and AI capabilities. You’ll collaborate closely with key stakeholders across the business and technology to design and deliver innovative, customer-focused solutions.

Job Details

This is a high-impact role in our Solution Architecture team, shaping cloud-first solutions that span multiple platforms and services. You’ll be a custodian of our technology estate: evolving roadmaps, promoting re-use, and keeping solutions aligned to our architecture principles and standards. You’ll lead technical assessments and architecture decision-making, setting clear direction on patterns, integration approaches, and cloud capabilities. Working closely with business and engineering stakeholders, you’ll translate opportunities and challenges into pragmatic target solutions. You’ll be part of the fast-paced AI delivery cycle, establishing the tools that support from PoC to production rollout. You’ll build trusted-adviser relationships—confidently influencing and negotiating on the flexible elements of the design to land the best outcome.

Skills we would love you to have

• Strong hands-on experience designing and governing solutions on Microsoft Azure (including security, resiliency, and cost considerations).
• Proven ability to modernise application landscapes—shaping new builds and transformations using contemporary architecture patterns.
• Practical AI capability experience—identifying valuable use cases and enabling or building solutions and tools that deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills—able to bring clarity, tell the story of the architecture, and gain alignment across business and technology.

You’ll be part of a dynamic CIO group where we strive hard to get our work done with a customer focus and collaborative colleague support. Hybrid working available from our Bexhill location.

What we offer

Join us and you’ll find a different way of doing things. We call it the 4Cs. We focus on getting it right for our colleagues, customers, company, and community. As one of our colleagues, you’ll be helping to drive our growth, so in return, we’ll give you all the support, training, and development you need. Not to mention plenty of recognition and rewards, and the scope to voice your ideas and put them into practice.

Reward

• Salary – Attractive salary based on experience + car allowance (pay reviews also completed each year).
• Flexible Working – We champion a flexible and hybrid working approach so please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail, including days in the office and at home.
• Competitive Bonus Scheme - All colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus, which is usually paid in March. The scheme is based on Hastings’ performance against our business goals and your own personal performance.
• Physical Wellbeing – as a Band 4 colleague, Hastings pay for you to receive private medical Insurance (also known as PMI) This gives you flexibility and convenience to see a specialist or consultant and allows you to decide when and where you will be seen.
• Financial Wellbeing – As well as providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover and income protection at no extra cost, pension contribution match up to 10%, we are proud to provide you with an award-winning package which includes – discounts and cashback at everyday retailers and on our own products, fee-free independent mortgage advice, and free access to financial wellbeing support.
• Mental Wellbeing programme – At Hastings Direct we understand that mental health cannot be scheduled, that’s why we have a range of support to help you keep yourself well. We have the thrive mental health app, our colleague assistance programme available 24/7, our own, in-house mental health first aiders, support groups and a dedicated team to make sure we are covering your needs.
• There's more! – 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your contracted weeks, access to our health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year and much more.

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. Please also note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks. At Hastings Direct, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us. Our recruitment team is here to provide the support you need to ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.