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- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative payment processing platforms in a dynamic financial services environment.
- Company: Join Korn Ferry, a leader in unleashing potential in people and organisations.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on payment transformation initiatives and work with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in banking solutions architecture and deep knowledge of payment execution.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on delivering scalable, robust solutions.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 84000 £ per year.
Contract Length: Initial 6 months
Day Rate: up to £700 per day inside IR35
We are seeking an experienced Solutions Architect with deep expertise in bank payments execution to support the design and delivery of complex payment platforms within a regulated financial services environment. This role requires a hands-on, delivery-focused architect who understands how payments operate end to end - from initiation through clearing, settlement, reconciliation and exception handling - and who can design robust, scalable solutions aligned to ISO 20022 standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the end-to-end solution design for payment processing platforms and services
- Design and document logical and functional architectures, defining clear system boundaries, responsibilities, and interactions
- Work closely with business stakeholders, engineering teams, and delivery leads to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions
- Provide architectural oversight and governance across delivery teams to ensure alignment with agreed designs and standards
- Balance short-term delivery needs with longer-term platform and architectural strategy
- Support payment transformation initiatives, including ISO 20022 adoption and coexistence
- Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders, providing clear guidance on trade-offs, risks, and design decisions
Required Experience & Skills
- Proven experience as a Solutions Architect in banking or financial services environments
- Strong, hands-on knowledge of end-to-end payments execution, including clearing, settlement, reconciliation, and exception handling
- Practical experience with multiple payment schemes such as Bacs, Faster Payments, CHAPS, SWIFT, or SEPA
- Deep, working knowledge of ISO 20022, including message structures, mapping, validation, and scheme differences
- Ability to design clear logical and functional architectures and govern designs delivered by engineering teams
- Familiarity with modern integration patterns (APIs, microservices, event-driven architectures)
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage confidently with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Pragmatic, delivery-focused mindset with the ability to operate independently
Solution Architect - Payments employer: Korn Ferry
Contact Detail:
Korn Ferry Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Solution Architect - Payments
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the banking and payments sector. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your previous projects related to payment platforms. Use case studies to demonstrate how you’ve tackled challenges in payment execution. This will make you stand out when chatting with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of ISO 20022 and various payment schemes. Be ready to discuss how you’ve designed scalable solutions in the past. Practice articulating your thought process clearly; it’ll show you’re the delivery-focused architect they need!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented individuals like you. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates. So, get your application in and let’s get you that dream role!
We think you need these skills to ace Solution Architect - Payments
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Solution Architect role. Highlight your experience with payment platforms and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your experience in banking payments and how you’ve tackled challenges in the past.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your technical expertise, especially around ISO 20022 and various payment schemes. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we see your hands-on experience!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Korn Ferry
✨Know Your Payments Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of end-to-end payments execution. Be ready to discuss clearing, settlement, reconciliation, and exception handling in detail. This will show that you understand the complexities of payment platforms and can design solutions that work seamlessly.
✨Master ISO 20022 Standards
Since this role requires expertise in ISO 20022, ensure you’re familiar with its message structures, mapping, and validation. Prepare to explain how you’ve applied these standards in past projects, as this will demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to align with industry requirements.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to engage confidently with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Think of examples where you’ve successfully translated complex technical concepts into layman's terms, as this will highlight your ability to act as a trusted advisor.
✨Showcase Your Architectural Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in designing logical and functional architectures. Bring examples of how you’ve defined system boundaries and responsibilities in previous roles. This will help illustrate your capability to govern designs and ensure alignment with architectural standards.
