Senior Student Solutions Designer in England

The overall purpose of this role is to provide expertise in design, develop, and deliver IT solutions that support the university's Student Solutions in alignment with the University 2030 Vision and Education strategy. The role has a high level of independent responsibility and discretion.

The work includes developing and shaping technical architecture vision for all the products across Student ART and implementing Student Solutions for the area and contributing to longer-term planning within the context of the University’s broader functions and strategic aims. This role focuses on ensuring that the solutions developed and implemented for the university’s Student Solutions are effective, meet business requirements, and adhere to architectural standards. They will be expected to set quality and professional standards.

The role is responsible for creating end-to-end IT solutions, including infrastructure, hardware, and software components, integration with other enterprise systems and for ensuring that each product fits within the broader IT service architecture. Collaboration with Student Product Owners, Solutions Designers, and various IT teams is essential to successfully deliver these solutions.

This role requires deep domain knowledge in Education & Students, expertise in solution architecture, and collaboration with various teams within the IT Directorate to ensure successful implementation and integration of solutions.

• Breadth of vision gained from extensive working experience in field of student solutions within Higher education.
• Experience of developing innovative solutions and practical implementation for strategic change.
• Highly developed knowledge of the principles, theory and practice of a field of work, as well as an awareness of broader developments relevant to the College.
• Awareness of the likely effect of change in economic, social, legal and technological environment.
• Well-developed knowledge of systems/services for Student domain and across functions and how they relate to national and international developments.
• National and international awareness and understanding of the activities, objectives and strategic direction of the College, both current and future.
• To collaborate with the IT Enterprise Architecture team to ensure the solution designed to meet the business needs, delivered to the agreed standard and fit with architectural principles, standards provided.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive technical architecture vision and development roadmap for digital student platforms, ensuring scalability and flexibility to meet current and future needs, in line with the college’s strategic goals.
• Collaborate with IT Enterprise Architecture and key business stakeholders to design and implement solutions that meet the strategic and operational requirements of the college, ensuring alignment with established architectural standards and best practices.
• To collaborate with the key business stakeholders to ensure the system’s data structure is designed and maintained to support the college’s academic framework including programs, policies and reporting needs effectively.
• Oversee the data model within the applications and the application integration capabilities, technologies, ensuring a cohesive ecosystem that supports the college’s academic framework, policies, and reporting needs.
• To ensure seamless integration of various educational technologies, tools, and data sources, fostering a cohesive and interconnected ecosystem.
• Lead and contribute to cross-functional project/agile teams, ensuring effective use of resources and adherence to project timelines and objectives.
• Provide high-level technical support for student-related applications/products, ensuring timely resolution of issues and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead and mentor a team of solution designers, providing guidance, support, and career development opportunities.
• The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

There are several duties and responsibilities that we ask all employees to be familiar with and adhere to. We ask that the successful candidate:

• Positively contributes to an environment at King’s that truly represents Our Principles in Action and where every individual feels safe, secure and supported.
• Always complies with the requirements of health and safety regulations to ensure their own wellbeing and that of their colleagues.
• Understands sustainability, including its impact on the University and the work we do, and engages in sustainable practices in the workplace.
• Ensures they are working in a safe environment, where they comply with our Health and Safety regulations and ensure confidentiality, only releasing confidential information obtained during employment to those acting in an official capacity.
• Complies with King’s protocols on the appropriate use of telephone, email and internet facilities.

• Hybrid Working - Minimum of 5 days per month in the office.
• 10% Performance related bonus.
• 30 Days holiday and maximum of 8 public holidays (pro-rata).
• Sick pay.
• 4 Discretionary Christmas Closure Days.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Life Assurance cover.
• Service time - 3 Volunteer days per year.
• Free onsite parking & Bike racks.
• Annual leave purchase scheme - up to a maximum of 10 days (subject to national minimum wage requirements).
• Student Discount (access to Totum, Unidays & Student Beans).
• CycleScheme.
• TechScheme.
• Opportunities for formal training and professional certification.
• Free access to Linkedin Learning.
• Free access to Future Learn short courses.
• Potential for internal promotion and advancement.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion are central tenets of King’s Vision 2029 which sets out the roadmap for King’s ambition to provide an exceptional student experience and to be an employer of choice. Integral to this is ensuring equality of opportunity and outcome, recognising, celebrating and improving our diversity and inclusion.

As a responsible employer we aim to provide and promote a positive working, learning, and social environment which is free from prejudice, discrimination and any forms of harassment, bullying or victimisation. Our commitment to inclusion means that King’s aims to create an environment where differences are not just respected but also valued and celebrated. Everyone should be able to bring their whole self to King’s.

All King’s students, staff and affiliates are responsible for meeting these commitments to value diversity and create an inclusive environment. King’s will support and equip all members of its community to do this, embedding inclusion throughout the university’s policies, procedures, and practices.