Lead Solution Architect

Location: Hybrid

Contracted to our Wilmslow, London, Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast office, we will be relocating to Manchester city centre from 28 September 2026. Through hybrid working we offer flexible home and office-based working opportunities.

• Pay progression scheme.
• Hybrid and flexible working options.
• 25 days paid holiday per year, plus privilege and public holidays.
• Flexi leave (up to 24 additional days leave per year).
• Pension (employer contribution around 28.9%).
• Online discount scheme to save money at major supermarkets, retailers, gyms, restaurants, insurance providers and many more.
• Health Cash Plan.
• Fantastic development opportunities to learn and progress.

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the independent regulator of information rights. In a data-driven world, we provide advice, guidance, and support to organisations enabling compliance with their obligations, as well as protecting individuals and their personal data.

As an employer, we are passionate about making a positive difference to the lives and careers of our people, and we empower you to be curious, impactful, collaborative and respectful.

This role will lead the design and implementation of comprehensive solution designs that align with the organisation’s strategic objectives and Enterprise Architecture principles.

The role will help the Director of Architecture to ensure the quality of solution designs and deployments across the organisation, ensuring the performance, security and scalability of those designs.

• Developing and delivering the ICO’s Solution Architecture vision, strategy and roadmaps.
• Lead the design of scalable and efficient solutions that meet business needs, justifying and communicating design decisions.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders and product managers to gather and analyse requirements for new solutions.
• Create a library of architecture and solution building blocks to direct and guide effective and robust solution design.
• Creating and managing the solution design and development of services of various sizes.
• Supporting technical specialists in multiple projects and services on problems that require broad architectural thinking.
• Defining how we build user-centered systems in an agile environment.
• To challenge existing practices, looking for deeper problems to solve and larger opportunities for digital transformation.
• Communicating the architecture vision to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Playing an active role in the ICO Architecture community and related communities of practice.
• Helping to build a diverse, inclusive culture across the architecture community.
• Working with other architects, colleagues and peers to define standards and guidance around best practice.
• Engaging and networking with people across the ICO up to Director level.
• To lead the implementation of cloud-based solutions using Azure services.
• To participate in the development of best practices and standards for Azure solution development and implementation.
• To be an evangelist for Azure solution architectures and best practices.

• Substantial experience relevant to the role requirements.
• Experience of working with cloud-first architectures.
• Experience of working with technical teams and delivering user-centered services in an agile environment.
• Experience of working with stakeholders of all levels.
• Experience of working with Enterprise Architecture frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman).
• Proven ability to design and document end-to-end solutions.
• Knowledge of a wide range of technologies including cloud platforms (Microsoft Azure), microservices, APIs and enterprise software.

• Excellent analytical skills to diagnose issues, evaluate risk and develop viable solutions.
• Knowledge of a wide range of technologies including cloud platforms (Microsoft Azure), microservices, APIs and enterprise software.
• Proficiency in creating solution architecture design diagrams, roadmaps and associated artefacts.
• Ability to deal with complexity and ambiguity, creative problem solving and developing innovative solutions.
• Excellent communication skills for educating employees on solution architecture.
• Able to communicate complex insights and principles simply and with impact.
• Commercial acumen, understanding how solution architecture links to business value creation.

The ICO is committed to promoting and enhancing equality, diversity, and inclusion. We are focused on developing a workforce that is representative of the communities we serve.

Candidates with a disability who meet the minimum criteria for this vacancy will be invited to interview as part of the ICO’s commitment to the Disability Confident Scheme.

Closing Date: Please submit your CV by 23:59, Sunday 16th August 2026.