Technical Solution Architect in Exeter

On behalf of the Met Office, we are looking for a Technical Solution Architect (Inside IR35) for a 6 month contract based Remote (with occasional visits to Exeter).

About the Role

The Met Office is seeking an experienced Technical Solution Architect to provide strategic architectural leadership across two critical workstreams:

• HR Systems Refresh: Define the target architecture and operating model for a new HR platform (covering HCM, LMS, and Payroll integration). Lead vendor evaluation, procurement strategy, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• ServiceNow Expansion: Provide architectural assurance and governance as the platform is scaled across the organisation.

This is a high-profile role requiring strong stakeholder engagement, the ability to influence at senior levels and confidence to own strategic tasks from end to end.

As a Technical Solution Architect your main responsibilities will be to:

• Lead market engagement and vendor selection for HR systems including RFP (Request for Proposal) processes and negotiation with suppliers.
• Define a multi-year delivery roadmap, including integration and data migration strategies.
• Establish the Target Operating Model (TOM) for the new HR platform, defining processes, roles and governance.
• Define and enforce target technical architecture and non-functional requirements (security, scalability, resilience).
• Govern cross-system integration with Finance, Identity Management and Data Warehouse.
• Ensure service acceptance and operational handover.
• Produce clear architectural deliverables: RFPs, evaluation reports, solution blueprints.

Essential

• Proven experience as a Solution or Enterprise Architect in large-scale HR system transformations.
• Expertise in vendor evaluation, procurement strategy and RFP processes.
• Strong stakeholder management and executive communication skills.
• Knowledge of architecture frameworks (e.g. TOGAF).
• Understanding of compliance requirements (e.g. GDPR) and risk management.

Note: SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position, preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.

Desirable

• ServiceNow expertise.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics.
• Familiarity with SaaS tools: Atlassian (Jira, Confluence), GitHub, Lucid, Mural, Artifactory.
• Workshop facilitation and vendor demo experience.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

Disability Confident

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, the Met Office guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

Armed Forces Commitment

The Met Office guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex‑military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following: "this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs. As such the payment to the intermediary and your income resulting from this contract will be different".