Lead Solution Architect in Leeds

We are currently looking for a Lead Solution Architect to join our Strategy & Architecture Function within the Digital & Technology group. This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 7/8 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP. Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.

We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.

Who are we? The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. The Digital and Technology Group (DTG) lies at the heart of the Agency and is responsible for delivering an optimised IT infrastructure and maximising the secure use of data to enable our scientists, inspectors, and the rest of the organisation to deliver world class services which can improve outcomes for patients and the general public. The Group was essential in the race to approve COVID-19 vaccines in 2020 and in supporting the UK to set up its own medicines and devices approvals systems following our exit from the EU. The work we do matters!

Its centre of excellence is also responsible for delivering a broad portfolio of change initiatives, both to transform the Agency’s legacy technologies and to deliver innovative new solutions, designed around our customers’ needs. DTG works in a holistic way to combine digital and technology change, data and information management, project delivery, business process, product management and cultural change to maximise our impact and ensure sustainability. We plan to be at the heart of one of the most digitally advanced medical regulators in the world and we need people who can help us deliver that ambition. DTG is a great place to build your career, and we are committed to enabling our people to do the best work of their lives.

What’s the role? As a Lead Solution Architect you will lead and champion Solution Architecture within our Strategy & Architecture team and will work with multiple projects and teams on problems that require broad architectural thinking and alignment to deliver desirable, feasible and sustainable digital, data and technology solutions. You will play a key role in ensuring that we develop and maintain a strong Architecture capability through coaching, mentoring, and training, and ensuring that the architects in agency have stretching and rewarding workloads to support their personal development. You will be a key member of the Architecture Assurance Forum, and a wider community of practice of Architects that embraces fast-cycle Agile, service design principles, whilst driving coherence across common foundation services, minimising technical debt and legacy technology risk. This is a critical role for an experienced lead Architect who can work with delivery and operational teams, to support the design, development and sustainability of MHRA products and services.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead solution architecture delivery and assurance, providing hands-on leadership to programmes and projects while ensuring solutions align with MHRA, GDS and enterprise architecture standards.
• Develop architectural strategy, standards and roadmaps, establishing principles, patterns and blueprints that support transformation, reduce duplication, manage technical debt and enable sustainable modernisation.
• Drive collaboration and influence across MHRA and government, building strong relationships with business, technical, supplier and cross-government stakeholders to promote alignment, reuse and informed decision-making.
• Lead architecture capability and innovation, mentoring architects, strengthening the architecture community, and identifying opportunities to adopt emerging technologies that deliver value while maintaining security, resilience and value for money.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have:

• Proven experience as a Solution Architect with a track record of delivering digital change that adds value to customers.
• Proven ability to anticipate the full impact of implementing a Secure by Design approach into a complex estate.
• Extensive and proven ability to work with discretion and capability in own area. Works effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team, working across boundaries and delegating where appropriate, adding value through strategic thinking.
• Evidence of the ability to make decisions confidently and demonstrate understanding of the complexity of a legacy-heavy IT estate and how to transition to a modern architecture.
• Experience of working successfully with a wide network of colleagues and contacts to achieve progress on shared objectives.

Person Specification:

Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Leadership (I)
• Making Effective Decisions (I)
• Working Together (I)
• Communicating and Influencing (P)

Experience Criteria:

• Extensive experience working as a Solution Architecture combined with areas of deeper knowledge of technologies and practices, and a good understanding of architecture domains (A, I, P)
• Significant experience of leading the design of systems characterised by high levels of risk, impact and business or technical complexity, and justifying and communicating design decisions to others (A, I)
• Extensive experience working with technology teams, multi-disciplinary stakeholders, and user research insights to define solutions that meet business and user needs (A)

Technical Criteria:

• Strong understanding of a broad range of technologies and paradigms ranging from custom built through to SaaS/COTS products, event driven architecture, APIs, microservices, and loose-coupling (A)
• Strong experience developing complex and large-scale architecture solutions aligned to GDS standards, Technology Code of Practice and Secure by Design (A)
• Ability to define target state architectures, transitional states and roadmaps (A, P)
• Excellent knowledge of architecture methodologies, frameworks and tools and practical experience of their application (A, P)
• Good understanding of Cloud technologies particularly MS Azure (A, P)
• Excellent knowledge of modern technical architectures and paradigms (A, P)
• Degree level or significant professional experience (A)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

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The selection process: We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates. Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application. Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being supplied when you reach this stage. Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of Extensive experience working as a Solution Architecture combined with areas of deeper knowledge of technologies and practices, and a good understanding of architecture domains. Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided - ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description.

Use of AI in Job Applications: Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Closing date: 6th September 2026

Shortlisting date: from 11th September 2026

Interview date: from 28th September 2026

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk. Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here. Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:

• Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer. Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater. The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact the MHRA Recruitment Team at careers@mhra.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk info@csc.gov.uk Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ