Solution Architect (Contract)

Solution Architect

Business Area: IT

Place of Work: Liverpool

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract

When you join USS, the size and scale of our pension scheme means you will have numerous opportunities to learn and develop your career. Given our size you'll have real autonomy and influence as you collaborate closely with a wide-ranging team of experts.
Our office is a vibrant place to work, and we offer flexibility of office/homeworking due to our hybrid model.

About the role

In your role as Pensions Solution Architect you will make a meaningful and valued contribution from the outset.

This role will provide a great opportunity to focus on developing and maintaining architectures within our architecture platform (BizzDesign) and ensuring they are kept in line with the requirements of the pensions programme, are compliant with standards & principles, and can be articulated to stakeholders through clear communications techniques, modelling methods and any other appropriate medium.
Good engagement with key business change participants is essential to ensuring ongoing risks and constraints are well understood, and managed.

What you will be doing

As a trusted part of the IT you will be responsible for:

• Produce Solutions Architectures for the Pensions Platform Programme
• Ensure business, information systems / data, integration and technology domains are represented and clearly articulated through the creation of architecture viewpoints within our architecture platform (BizzDesign)
• Creation of baseline and target models with gap analysis
• Work closely with the business analysts to ensure clear articulation of technical solutions
• Facilitate better-informed decision making in the planning and delivery of technical change for the pensions programme
• Review third party proposed solutions for suitability, ensuring challenge to designs and making recommendations where appropriate to ensure alignment to EA Strategies, goals, principles & best practice
• Contribute towards the evolution of the EA assessment frameworks used to ensure consistent solution delivery and participate in the design authority committee meetings to present findings
• Highlight risks and mitigation approaches
• Contribute to the IT delivery process through participation in planning meetings, and project planning exercises
• Develop close working relationships with third party suppliers & other domain architects (such as Business, Technology, Data) to support the pensions platform delivery
• Ensure scope and detailed system requirements align with Enterprise Business Change Process

About you

We know that sometimes people can be put off applying for a job if they don't tick every box, if you're excited about working for us and have most of the skills or experience we're looking for, then please apply, regardless of whether you meet all the requirements outlined in this profile.
To be successful in the role you will have:

• Fundamental understanding of ArchiMate 3.x architecture modelling standard
• Basic understanding of BPMN 2.0 business process modelling standard
• Familiarity with architecture platforms, such as BizzDesign, Abacus, Archie
• Good working knowledge of data modelling concepts, such as ERD and logical data model
• Excellent understanding and general knowledge for all aspects of technology
• Ability to understand and turn requirements into application/solution & data architectures
• Basic stakeholder management skills
• Strong communication skills (written, pictorial, presentational and verbal) including the ability to present solutions & architectures to different audiences
• Good time management and prioritisation skills

Why join us?

At USS, every individual contributes to building a secure financial future for our members and their families. We strive to create a work environment where everyone can thrive professionally while making a meaningful impact on the lives of others.

We're also committed to helping you build your career by providing opportunities for development.

We put a focus on recognising and supporting each individual's unique career path, driving this forward with the support of an engaged and proactive management team. Here at USS, we want you to thrive in and out of work with a friendly team, flexible culture and excellent range of benefits!

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How we will reward you

• Great starting salary
• Generous annual leave package
• Access to a high quality pension scheme provided through Universities Superannuation Scheme
• Supportive people policies (including enhanced occupational sickness pay and family friendly pay)
• Financial contributions towards your personal development to help you maintain your physical and mental wellbeing
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing services i.e., private healthcare, discounted gym membership
• Learning and development opportunities to develop your skills, knowledge and talent
• Employee Volunteer Day’s to support the communities where you work and live
• Cycle to Work Scheme

Our culture and values

Our people are what makes us different. We work together to create a diverse and inclusive culture that embraces individuality, where people are welcomed and feel comfortable in the knowledge that they can be themselves. Our purpose firmly states the importance of members, putting them ‘front and centre’ of what we do. This is embedded through our values:

Integrity

Collaboration

Excellence

About us

Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) was established in 1974 as the principal pension scheme for universities and higher education institutions in the UK. We work with around 330 employers to help build a secure financial future for more than 528,000 members and their families. We are one of the largest pension schemes in the UK, with total assets of around £75.5bn (at 31 March 2023). To find out more, please visit the USS website.
USSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We strive to ensure our recruitment process is as flexible and inclusive as possible so we can attract diverse candidates and recruit the best talent.