Solution Architect 6 Month Fixed Term Contract

Job Description

Role summary/purpose of job The Solution Architect is responsible for the success of all Architecture deliverables and outcomes for the projects and programmes they support. This requires building excellent working relationships with senior stakeholders and providing technical leadershipacross GT&I and business functions. The Solution Architect will successfully plan, architect, design and drive the implementation of technology projects that deliver the required business benefits.The role resides within the Global Technology & Innovation function. The team is matrix in structure and requires some flexibility regards travel, working style and working hours to achieve outstanding results.Key responsibilities and deliverables

• Responsible for delivering architecture artefacts and outcomes for strategic projects and transformational change programmes
• Responsible for the delivery of and / or creation of working prototypes of new solutions in order to de-risk delivery and prove that technology solutions will meet the Firms requirements
• Work closely with business analysts and project stakeholders to translate detailed business and technical requirements into high-performing, reliable solutions that meet business needs
• Analyses the current architecture and operational data to assess the impact of projects and programmes, and makes recommendations on transitional and target state solution architectures
• Provides technical leadership to change delivery teams and technical SMEs
• Proactive senior stakeholder management (Inc. Senior Leadership Team, Senior Directors, and the wider partnership)
• Communicates architectures and designs using a variety of approaches to ensure all stakeholders understand their value
• Work with Enterprise Architects to align domain-specific solutions with the Firms enterprise architecture standards and processes; understands surrounding solutions and enterprise data flow
• Provide input to the strategic direction of technology investments to assist in the development of the enterprise architecture and to maximise the return on technology investment
• Acquires and maintain specialist knowledge of the technologies and vendors within their architecture domain
• Seeks opportunities for continuous improvement in both the Architecture team and elsewhere in the business, and drives the delivery of these initiatives

Key requirements (Communication/skills/experience)Essential

• The ability to confidently lead, communicate and influence at all levels
• An avid interest and extensive experience in a wide range of technologies
• Senior technical leadership roles on transformational projects / programmes
• Exceptional communication skills
• Strong influencing skills at a senior level with exposure to board level
• Extensive successful track record of driving the technical aspects of complex projects
• Exposure to implementation methods across the full development lifecycle (requirements though to BAU operation)
• Experience working with hybrid architectures (Cloud & on-premise)
• Experience working with master data management practices and designing data integrations

Desirable

• Experience with Legal Services or Professional Services technology
• Experience working with marketing and data augmentation platforms
• Experience working with one or more architectural tools and frameworks, such as TOGAF, Zachman, LeanIX, Etc.

Personal Qualities

• Innovator. Seeks and finds better / leaner / quicker ways to build systems.
• Hands on. Sees for themselves, takes part.
• Leader. Sets direction and successfully brings teams with them.
• Committed to Quality. Strives for excellence in execution, deals with the issues.
• Value. Focused on realising value for the business.
• Communicator. Gets the message across clearly and unambiguously.
• Influencer. Can change the direction of action and thought.
• Learning. Seeks and values learning from many sources (academic, industry, suppliers).
• Team Player. Delivers through others and maximises team potential.
• Coach. Creates a legacy of excellence.

InclusionFreshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. Alloffers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and takea number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.