At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and guide innovative solutions for audit technology services.
- Company: Join KPMG, a leader in audit technology with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, health benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping the future of audit technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in Solution Architecture and strong communication skills required.
Location: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham, Reading, South Coast - Southampton, Watford, UK
Capability: Audit
Experience Level: Senior Manager
Type: Full Time
Business Area: Audit Centre of Excellence (ACE)
Contract type: Permanent
Grade: B
Team: Clara Technology & Solutions
Service line: Audit Central
KPMG Audit Clara Technology & Solutions builds technology solutions in close collaboration with the Audit function. The team blends audit expertise with technology capability to understand the challenges auditors face and develop strategically important products that simplify delivery while enhancing Audit Quality.
The Solution Architect will design and guide secure, scalable and future‑ready solutions for audit technology services. The role will work with audit business teams, architects, technology teams, delivery teams and vendors to shape architectures that deliver measurable value and remain robust, maintainable and aligned to KPMG technology policies and standards.
As a trusted advisor, the Solution Architect will help resolve complex delivery and design challenges, support teams to deliver with confidence, and contribute to a growing portfolio of audit technology products and services.
Description of the role:
The Solution Architect is responsible for defining end‑to‑end solution architectures across audit technology initiatives. The role combines business understanding, technical breadth, architecture governance and delivery support to ensure solutions are feasible, secure, scalable and aligned to strategic and operational needs. The role requires strong knowledge of wider technology trends and the KPMG technology ecosystem, including application, integration, data, technology and security architecture.
The Solution Architect will build conceptual and detailed solution architecture designs, support governance and assurance processes, and work closely with project teams to translate business requirements into practical technical solutions.
Responsibilities
- Define end-to-end solution architectures for audit technology projects and portfolio initiatives.
- Create and develop conceptual and detailed solution architecture design documents.
- Ensure solutions are secure, scalable, robust, maintainable and future‑ready.
- Apply architecture best practice across application, integration, data, technology and security domains.
Business and Technology Translation
- Work with other architects, technical SMEs and project teams to analyse business requirements and translate them into feasible technical requirements.
- Shape solution options that meet business needs while aligning with architecture principles, delivery constraints and technology standards.
- Explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences in a way that is relevant, easy to consume and compelling.
Governance, Standards and Assurance
- Ensure alignment with the Firm’s technology policies, architecture standards and delivery governance expectations.
- Contribute to governance processes where applicable, including helping projects navigate the Technology Assurance Process.
- Champion architectural quality and help ensure architectural guidelines and best practices are followed during the development and implementation of technology initiatives.
- Support the identification and management of technical debt, including its causes, measurement and remediation options such as decommissioning.
Technology Strategy and Market Awareness
- Maintain a high level of technical knowledge, including current, emerging and future technology market trends and their impact on the business.
- Assess emerging technologies and identify opportunities to improve audit technology services and delivery outcomes.
- Apply knowledge of SaaS, cloud hosting, integration technologies, cloud computing platforms, microservices architecture and modern development practices.
Delivery Support and Risk Management
- Work closely with the Audit Lead Architect, development teams, other architects and third‑party suppliers.
- Identify business and project risks and mitigate or communicate them as necessary.
- Ensure progress updates are communicated to relevant parties both formally and informally.
- Carry out additional duties as may occur from time to time as instructed and agreed by leadership.
Stakeholder and Relationship Management
- Develop relationships across KPMG business and technology functions.
- Use stakeholder management skills to ensure end‑to‑end solutions are designed and developed to meet requirements and best‑practice standards.
- Leverage internal networks across KPMG to access additional expertise where required.
Due to the nature of the position, you may be working at or visiting a client site and/or other KPMG offices.
Person Experience and knowledge requirements
- Experience in Solution Architecture roles.
- Strong all‑round competence across application, integration, data, technology and security architecture.
- Good understanding of SaaS, cloud hosting and integration technologies.
- Knowledge of cloud computing platforms, microservices architecture and modern development practices.
- Business‑focused approach, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and business stakeholders.
- Experience working with Agile SDLC methods.
- Understanding common business analysis techniques and approaches.
- Good understanding of project management concepts, including plans, risks, assumptions and dependencies.
- Good understanding of technical debt, including its causes, how to measure it and remedial actions including decommissioning.
- Good oral and written communication skills.
- Good interpersonal and leadership skills.
- Ability to work with ambiguity at the beginning of projects and provide clarity of direction.
- Practical understanding of GDPR and ISO 27001 is desirable.
Behavioural Attributes and Skills
- Trusted advisor mindset, able to guide teams through complex architecture and delivery challenges.
- Collaborative working style with the ability to operate across audit business teams, architects, engineers, delivery teams and third‑party suppliers.
- Pragmatic and delivery‑focused, balancing architecture quality with project constraints and business outcomes.
- Clear and confident communicator able to engage both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Proactive approach to risk identification, governance support and continuous improvement.
- Curiosity and commitment to staying current with technology trends and their relevance to audit technology delivery.
Qualifications
- Relevant certifications such as ITIL, TOGAF and Microsoft Certified: Azure Solution Architect are beneficial but not required.
KPMG are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunity employer and we seek to attract and retain the best people from the widest possible talent pool. As a member of the Business Disability Forum we’re committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the Recruitment Process. We are a recognised leader in the Government’s scheme, offering a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for all experienced professional opportunities. We don’t accept speculative CVs from agencies.
Solution Architect - Clara Technology & Solutions - Senior Manager in Birmingham employer: KPMG Careers
KPMG is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where creativity and insight thrive. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for professional development and mentorship within our leading Indirect Tax practice. Located across the UK, our collaborative culture fosters innovation and strong client relationships, making KPMG a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in financial services.
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✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what KPMG Careers values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
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We think you need these skills to ace Solution Architect - Clara Technology & Solutions - Senior Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at KPMG Careers.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at KPMG Careers. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at KPMG Careers
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
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IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
