Solution Architect in Reading

The Chief Technology Office (CTO) is seeking an experienced Solution Architect to join the Solution Design team. This role operates in a consultancy capacity, supporting the CTO and business-aligned IT functions to deliver change safely and effectively, with a primary focus on cloud, AI and data platforms. The seniority of the role requires flexibility across a broad range of technical and delivery areas, including occasional involvement in project and programme activities.

Responsibilities

• Architecture and Design
  • Create and contribute to solution designs that meet M&G architecture and operational standards.
  • Ensure solutions are scalable, secure, and cost-efficient, aligned with Enterprise Architecture standards and governance.
  • Partner with Enterprise Architecture to create and gain approval for patterns for new or significantly changed workloads.
• Consultancy and Advisory
  • Engage with IT functions in a consultancy capacity to guide solution design and technology selection.
  • Provide independent, objective advice to ensure alignment with strategy and governance.
  • Challenge and validate design decisions to promote best practice and long-term sustainability.
  • Participate in design review boards and Technical Design Authorities (TDAs).
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Support delivery, define roadmaps, and occasionally assist with project or programme management.
  • Collaborate with engineering, SRE, security, data privacy and business stakeholders to ensure successful solution delivery.
• Continued Development
  • Stay current with relevant technologies and assess their applicability to M&G.
  • Support the development of colleagues through knowledge sharing and guided learning.

Qualifications

Essential Experience

• Solution design in a complex enterprise environment.
• Strong expertise designing and implementing enterprise data platforms.
• Familiarity with data governance, controls and regulations, including data mesh/fabric approaches.
• Proven experience with Microsoft Azure data services (e.g., ADLS, Storage Accounts, Data Factory, Synapse, Databricks).
• Experience with Azure DevOps and modern DevOps practices, including CI/CD pipelines and developer tooling.
• Familiarity with agile development methodologies.
• Experience with automation and infrastructure-as-code tools (e.g., Terraform, Ansible, ARM).
• Thorough understanding of Azure governance principles and compliance policy implementation.
• Understanding of modern generative AI patterns, such as Retrieval-Augmented Generation.
• Practical knowledge of AI services across major cloud platforms (including Azure OpenAI).
• Understanding of agentic architectures and responsible AI guardrails.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, including engagement with senior management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Pragmatic and outcome-focused approach, balancing best practice, TCO and real-world constraints.
• Self-starter who can work independently and as part of a team.

Desirable Experience

• Enterprise Platforms such as Apigee and OpenShift.
• Oracle OCI Soft.

Benefits

• Value-pension scheme of 18% (13% employer, 5% employee contribution).
• Share Save and Share Incentive Plan.
• Financial wellbeing and support services.
• 38 days annual leave including bank holidays; option to purchase up to 5 extra days.
• Time Off When You Need It policy.
• Inspiring Families policy with comprehensive paid parental leave covering maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and paternity.
• Health & protection cover including Private Healthcare, Critical Illness cover and Life Assurance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

M&G is committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and with disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader and encourage applications from candidates with long-term health conditions, disabilities, or neuro-divergent conditions.