Principal Architect in London

Principal Architect in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
LexisNexis Risk Solutions

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Design future-ready systems and influence engineering strategy across teams.
  • Company: Join a global leader in information and analytics, making a real impact.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working hours, generous leave, and a comprehensive pension plan.
  • Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of technology while contributing to science and healthcare.
  • Qualifications: 15+ years in software architecture and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

Are you passionate about designing future‐ready systems that balance performance, reliability, and simplicity? Do you thrive on setting technical direction and influencing engineering strategy across teams?

About the team: A global leader in information and analytics, we help researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. Building on our publishing heritage, we combine quality information and vast data sets with analytics to support visionary science and research, health education and interactive learning, as well as exceptional healthcare and clinical practice. At Elsevier, your work contributes to the world’s grand challenges and a more sustainable future. We harness innovative technologies to support science and healthcare to partner for a better world.

About the role: This position contributes to the definition of Enterprise Architecture within Elsevier, specifically related to the Shared Technologies that underpin our product portfolio. You will be responsible for driving forward the architecture strategy for Identity and Access, Enterprise API Management and the secure adoption and delivery of agentic AI solutions across the shared platforms that underpin all of Elsevier’s products.

Key responsibilities:

  • Translate business needs and technology direction into scalable architectural solutions.
  • Communicate complex technical concepts in a clear, business‐focused manner to support decision‐making.
  • Partner with architects across the organization to ensure alignment, governance, and shared architectural direction.
  • Collaborate with product and business strategy teams to anticipate long‐term technological needs.
  • Evaluate new technologies and potential acquisitions as required.
  • Define and implement technology strategies that promote standardization, reuse, and simplification.
  • Plan for the evolution, retirement, and replacement of systems within the business unit.
  • Provide architectural leadership and promote software engineering best practices.
  • Review and approve changes to infrastructure components and subsystems.
  • Lead architectural design for large‐scale development efforts.
  • Act as a bridge between enterprise architecture and engineering teams.
  • Work collaboratively with architects across different groups to ensure cohesive solutions.
  • Introduce and support teams in adopting new technologies.
  • Lead teams in identifying and resolving complex technical challenges.
  • Present findings, risks, and solution options to support informed decision‐making.
  • Guide technical direction and architectural evolution through reviews and hands‐on leadership.
  • Identify opportunities to evolve components into shared infrastructure.
  • Stay current with industry and technology advancements and explore opportunities to apply them.
  • Advocate for and support the adoption of shared technologies across business units.
  • Collaborate closely with shared technology teams to provide architectural guidance and support.

Requirements:

Qualifications

  • Extensive experience (typically 15+ years) in software, network, or systems architecture.
  • Significant experience leading cross‐functional or cross‐product architectural initiatives with measurable enterprise impact.
  • Degree in Engineering or Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience.

Technical Skills

  • Deep expertise in architectural design and governance.
  • Strong understanding of programming concepts, databases, and modern engineering practices.
  • Experience leading complex technical projects and collaborating with customers or external partners.
  • Ability to work with vendors to align technology strategies with organizational architecture goals.
  • Innovative mindset with experience in modern technologies, security, and infrastructure.
  • Advanced skills in planning, prioritization, and managing multiple initiatives across teams.
  • Strong problem‐solving abilities, including guiding teams through diagnosing and resolving complex issues.
  • Clear and effective communication skills, with the ability to present technical concepts to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
  • Strong research and analytical skills.
  • Ability to develop architectural business cases aligned with enterprise strategy.
  • Expertise in APIs, API management, and API governance.
  • Strong knowledge of modern authentication and authorization protocols (e.g., OAuth2, OIDC).

Why join us? Join our team and contribute to a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. If you are ready to advance your career and make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply.

Work in a way that works for you We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organization. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives and shared parental leave, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long-term goals.

  • Working flexible hours - flexing the times when you work in the day to help you fit everything in and work when you are the most productive.

Working for you We know that your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer:

  • Comprehensive Pension Plan
  • Generous vacation entitlement and option for sabbatical leave
  • Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, and Family Care leave
  • Flexible working hours
  • Personal Choice budget
  • Internal communities and networks
  • Various employee discounts
  • Recruitment introduction reward
  • Employee Assistance Program (global)

We are committed to providing a fair and accessible hiring process. If you have a disability or other need that requires accommodation or adjustment, please let us know by completing our Applicant Request Support Form.

We are an equal opportunity employer: qualified applicants are considered for and treated during employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship status, disability status, protected veteran status, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Principal Architect in London employer: LexisNexis Risk Solutions

At Elsevier, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, particularly in our London office. We offer extensive benefits including flexible working hours, generous vacation entitlements, and a comprehensive pension plan, all designed to support your well-being and career growth. Join us to make a meaningful impact in the fields of science and healthcare while enjoying a supportive work environment that values your contributions.

LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Contact Details:

LexisNexis Risk Solutions Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Architect in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their products and services, especially how they relate to the role of Principal Architect. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it aligns with the job requirements. Highlight your architectural leadership and problem-solving skills, and don’t forget to showcase your innovative mindset.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission of advancing science and healthcare.

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Architect in London

Architectural Design
Governance
API Management
Identity and Access Management
Technical Leadership
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Problem-Solving

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Architect role. Highlight your experience in software architecture and how it aligns with our mission at StudySmarter. We want to see how you can contribute to our innovative culture!

Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical expertise! Mention your experience with APIs, architectural design, and any modern technologies you've worked with. We love seeing candidates who can clearly communicate complex concepts in a straightforward way.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate well-structured applications that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences.

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’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Know Your Architecture Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into architectural principles and standards relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you would translate business needs into scalable solutions, as this will showcase your understanding of the technical direction expected at Elsevier.

Communicate Clearly and Effectively

Practice explaining complex technical concepts in a straightforward manner. Since you'll need to present ideas to diverse audiences, including senior leadership, being able to communicate clearly will set you apart from other candidates.

Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit

Highlight your experience working with cross-functional teams. Discuss specific examples where you've partnered with architects, product teams, or business partners to drive architectural initiatives, as collaboration is key in this role.

Stay Current with Industry Trends

Research the latest advancements in technology, especially around APIs, security protocols, and modern engineering practices. Being knowledgeable about current trends will demonstrate your innovative mindset and readiness to lead architectural evolution.