Lead Architect

Lead Architect

Full-Time 72000 - 88000 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design of innovative application architecture and solution delivery for priority initiatives.
  • Company: Join JTC, a forward-thinking firm transforming into a data and AI-powered platform.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a supportive environment with opportunities for growth, inclusion, and employee wellbeing.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to fostering an inclusive workplace.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of technology in a dynamic, acquisition-driven landscape while making impactful decisions.
  • Qualifications: Senior architecture experience with hands-on solution design and AI integration skills.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.

As JTC enters the Genesis era of growth andtransformation under private equity ownership, the Group’s ambition is tobecome a data- and AI-powered specialist-services platform where everyinteraction, acquisition and piece of expertise makes the firm smarter, moreefficient and easier to scale.

The Lead Architect sits within Application Architecture, part of the Technology Strategy & Application Architecturefunction within JTC’s unified Tech-AI operating model.

The role owns JTC’starget-state application architecture and leads the design of solutionarchitecture for priority initiatives, working across an estate that has beenbuilt up through acquisition and contains duplicated systems and point-to-pointintegrations requiring active rationalisation.

The postholder will provide architecture inputinto buy-vs-build and vendor decisions, including evaluating third-party andembedded AI tools, and will design the solution architecture for priorityinitiatives, working closely with AI Engineering & Data Science and Group Data so that AI, agentic and data platform components are built onto the estatecoherently and without creating vendor lock-in.

As JTC continues to grow byacquisition, the role also covers assessing new acquisitions’ technology estatesagainst the target architecture and helping prioritise what gets integratedfirst.

  • MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
  • Define and own JTC’s target-state application architecture, rationalising a fragmented, acquisition-built estate of duplicated systems and point-to-point integrations.
  • Provide architecture input into buy-vs-build and vendor decisions, including evaluating third-party and embedded AI tools for fit with the Group’s data and application estate.
  • Establish architecture standards, integration patterns and principles, and run or contribute to the architecture governance forum for the Group.
  • Assess new acquisitions’ technology estates against the target architecture and help prioritise what gets integrated first.
  • SOLUTION ARCHITECTURE & DELIVERY
  • Design the solution architecture for priority initiatives, translating the target architecture into delivery-ready designs.
  • Work hands-on across specific integration and delivery projects, including those spanning multiple existing systems being consolidated or replaced.
  • Partner directly with AI Engineering & Data Science and Group Data on the architecture of agentic and data platform components, ensuring AI capability is built onto the estate coherently and without creating vendor lock-in.
  • AI & AGENTIC ARCHITECTURE
  • Maintain current, practical fluency in agentic and AI architecture patterns, including orchestration, retrieval and grounding, and MCP-style integration, sufficient to credibly shape how these fit he wider estate.
  • Contribute architecture positions on AI-related integration, data dependencies and target-state implications as new agentic capabilities move from prototype into production.
  • REGULATORY & RISK AWARENESS
  • Make architecture decisions with awareness of JTC’s regulated, multi-jurisdiction footprint, recognising that data residency, cross-border transfer and compliance requirements vary by jurisdiction and should be confirmed with Compliance and Legal rather than assumed.
  • DOCUMENTATION & CAPABILITY BUILDING
  • Document architecture decisions, standards and patterns clearly enough to be usable by other teams without ongoing explanation.
  • Contribute to theongoing development of the Application Architecture capability as the team andfunction grow.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Senior architecture experience that includes real exposure to target-state and governance decisions, combined with current, hands-on solution design experience from within the last one to two years.
  • Experience operating in a fragmented, multi-entity, acquisitive estate rather than a greenfield environment, ideally including consolidation of point-to-point integrations.
  • Demonstrable experience contributing to buy-vs-build and vendor decisions, including evaluating embedded AI or Saa S tools.
  • Current, practical fluency in AI and agentic architecture patterns, sufficient to partner credibly with AI engineering teams.
  • Strong modern solution design experience, including cloud-native architecture, APIs and integration patterns.
  • Experience in a regulated, multi-jurisdiction environment, ideally Financial Services or Professional Services, with sound judgement on when to involve Compliance and Legal.
  • Experience with technology integration during M&A or acquisition-driven growth is highly advantageous.
  • Strong written communication skills, able to produce documentation and standards that are usable by others without ongoing explanation.
  • Comfortable operating without a large architecture team, moving between strategic and hands-on delivery work as needed.
  • A relevant degree in computer science, engineering or a related discipline, and relevant professional certifications, are valued but not required.
  • OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION & WELLBEING

JTC is committed to fostering a healthy, inclusiveorganisation where all individuals feel welcome and feel able to participate inthe workplace fully.

We value different perspectives, backgrounds and livedexperiences.

This includes supporting employee wellbeing so that people feelequipped to thrive.

Whether you are just starting out or seeking new challenges, JTC offers an environment where you can grow, develop, and succeed at every stage of your career.

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Lead Architect employer: JTC Group

JTC is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment that thrives on innovation and collaboration in the heart of the financial services sector. With a strong commitment to employee growth, JTC provides ample opportunities for professional development and upskilling in cutting-edge AI technologies, all while fostering a culture of inclusivity and well-being. Located in a vibrant area, employees benefit from a supportive community and the chance to make a meaningful impact through their work.

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Contact Details:

JTC Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Architect

✨Join Local Tech Meetups

Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at JTC Group or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!

✨Contribute to Open Source Projects

Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to JTC Group.

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✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like JTC Group that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Architect

Application Architecture
Solution Architecture Design
AI and Agentic Architecture Patterns
Integration Patterns
Cloud-Native Architecture
APIs
Vendor Evaluation

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.

Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at JTC Group.

Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at JTC Group and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!

Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!

How to prepare for a job interview at JTC Group

✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills

For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.

✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks

Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If JTC Group uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.

✨Showcase Your Projects

Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.

✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions

While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.