Lead Architect (Permanent) in London

hackajob is collaborating with QBE Insurance to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.

QBE Europe is recruiting for a Lead Guidewire Architect to join our well-established Architecture team in our London Office. As the Lead Guidewire Architect, you will be required to own and lead the end‑to‑end programme architecture and design activity. The role will be accountable for shaping the target architecture, guiding delivery teams, and ensuring the transformation delivers coherent, scalable and well‑governed outcomes across the enterprise.

QBE is embarking on a major transformation of its core insurance platforms (including Pricing, Policy Administration and Underwriting). It spans multiple lines of business, geographies and distribution models, and represents one of the most complex technology transformations undertaken by the organisation. We’re building momentum towards our vision to become the most consistent and innovative risk partner.

• Implement technology strategy, roadmaps, and patterns aligned with global architecture to deliver business strategy.
• Lead the establishment of strategy, reference architecture, and roadmaps for assigned domains.
• Conduct technology assurance and governance in line with architecture policy and practices.
• Facilitate the use of standardised tools and approaches for documenting enterprise architecture.
• Provide direction during technology decision-making activities supporting executive‑level stakeholders, translating complex architectural topics into clear business and investment decisions.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships within IT and with internal business units and external service suppliers.
• Balance operational delivery and risk commitments by identifying emerging, underlying, and accumulating risks across processes and controls.
• Run day‑to‑day architecture and design activity, including leading an architecture team, chairing design forums, and resolving complex cross‑domain issues.

Proven experience leading architecture across multiple large-scale, multi‑year transformation programmes including legacy modernisation, complex migration programmes supporting coexistence, transitional states and risk management. Experience with modern insurance platforms, such as Guidewire, Hx, Salesforce and associated ecosystem technologies. Strong business and domain expertise across the end-to-end insurance value chain, with the ability to apply deep understanding of underwriting, pricing, distribution, policy administration, claims, finance and regulatory obligations directly to architectural and design decisions. Alignment to architecture governance, ensuring adherence to agreed principles, standards and controls while enabling delivery pace and pragmatic outcomes.

We offer a range of benefits to help provide holistic support for your work life, whatever your circumstances:

• 30 days holiday a year with the option to buy up to 2 additional days.
• Flexible working - balancing work and life is important so our flexible working opportunities are open to all, this can include part-time, job share and compressed hours.
• Pension – you are automatically enrolled into the QBE pension plan, which entitles you to receive employer contributions of 10% of your basic salary.

Communication, Critical Thinking, Customer Service, Data Architecture Development, Detail-Oriented, Enterprise Architecture Framework, Enterprise IT Architecture, Financial Systems, Information Technology Strategies, Intentional collaboration, Managing performance, Process Improvements, Project Delivery, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Planning.