Senior Solutions Architect

As the second largest Building Society in the UK and the 8^th largest lender.  We know a thing or two about Savings and Mortgages.  The Society has grown significantly over the past decade in particular and now has over 2,500 employees and 1.8 million members.  The Society is a Which recommended savings provider and we are proud to be one of the Times Top 100 Best Companies to work for.

The CIDO function uses the SAFe framework to deliver change into the organisation and as such this role maps to the Solution Architect role requiring all the necessary skills to make technical decisions over all domains across the programme level. Whilst collaborating with Enterprise and Systems Architects and the Portfolio and Solution level respectively.

This is a key role within the Architecture team, playing a critical role in the Enterprise Solution Delivery (ESD) providing an exciting opportunity for someone preferably used to working in an agile product-based environment ideally within the SAFe framework.  You will have experience defining and communicating a shared technical and architectural vision across a Solution Train or equivalent in non-SAFe Enterprises; more generally you will act confidently as a direction setter and subject matter expert, engaging positively with key business and technical stakeholders.  You will be responsible for providing architectural direction, expertise and leadership at the Programme level as follows:

• Partners with Enterprise Architects to help them elaborate Epics and Capabilities [help to partition the wider work – and scope my train] –Shaping the Agile Release Trains (ARTs) at the programme level and collaborating with the EAs on the portfolio Development Value Streams.
• Define solution vision, solution roadmap and the capabilities to meet them.
• Define & prioritise the enablers for the established Architectural Runways for programme backlogs and collaborating with System Architects with the Solution Backlogs.
• Establishes and supports definition of Non-functional Requirements
• Partners with other Architects and engineers to elaborate technologies and Features
• Solution context definition in collaboration with solution management.
• Actively supports design and steering of Continuous Delivery pipeline  [arch sync]
• Working with Solution Management to align Suppliers and ART’s on what to build and how.
• Fosters Built-in Quality for the entire Solution across the ART systems.
• Playing a critical role in Pre-Post PI planning events.
• Similarly for ART and Solution Train Inspect and Adapt (I&A) workshops.
• Establishing the Solution Intent repository
• Have a Continuous Improvement mind-set and actively seek out feedback and improve work through review, change and guidance
•  Support Architect activities and bring on more junior staff through mentoring and coaching

• Be highly effective at both written and verbal communication with substantial experience of developing highly effective working relationships with key stakeholders and colleagues at all levels.
• Have a solid understanding of architecture, associated strategies and frameworks
• Have well developed interpersonal, analytical, planning and organising skills, an attention to detail, a high level of accuracy and the ability to work on your own initiative

As a mutual, we’ve always worked together to improve the lives of others. Now the second largest Building Society in the UK, over 3,000 of us share that goal, in our branches and Head Office. Our benefits go beyond basic pay, with a discretionary bonus scheme, a culture of reward and recognition and total support for our wellbeing.

We’re serious about equality, of race, age, faith, disability and sexual orientation, but also of personality and the way we think. By being yourself, you’ll make us stronger.

Come and do the most important work of your career, in a Society that’s been voted a ‘Great Place to Work’ by the people who work there.

Flexibility and why it matters

We understand the need for flexibility, so wherever possible, we’ll consider alternative working patterns. Have a chat with us before you apply to see what the possibilities are for this role.