Solution Architect

Solution Architect

Location: Manchester

Contract: 18 month fixed term

Salary: £75,800 – £88,300

Working Arrangements: Hybrid – minimum two days a week in the Manchester office

Overview

AQA is looking for an experienced solution architect to support a major customer portfolio during a period of reform and change. The role will help shape architecture for work that directly supports how AQA manages relationships with schools, colleges and other centres, while contributing to an architecture function that is evolving and maturing.

Responsibilities

• Shaping solution architecture across the customer portfolio, including as‑is and to‑be analysis, roadmaps, options appraisals and high‑level designs.
• Working with business stakeholders, project teams, suppliers and technical teams to turn objectives into clear, deliverable and proportionate technology solutions.
• Supporting architecture governance by helping define patterns, guide low‑level designs and ensuring solutions align with AQA’s standards, security requirements and wider technology strategy.

Qualifications

You will thrive in this role if you are an established architect who can work with ambiguity, bring structure to complex customer‑focused change and build trusted relationships across business and technology teams.

• Experience as a solution, application or enterprise architect, with recent architecture experience in your role title or core responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge of customer, CRM, sales, marketing or customer service systems, ideally with experience of customer data platforms or similar application‑led change.
• A good understanding of application and data architecture, with the ability to connect business goals, customer journeys, integration needs and technical delivery.
• Confidence creating architecture artefacts such as vision statements, roadmaps, high‑level designs, options papers and design patterns.
• A pragmatic, collaborative style, with the ability to influence stakeholders, work with suppliers and keep delivery moving in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proven solution architect with a strong track record of related IT expertise and delivery across a number of practices within the IT industry.
• Expert working knowledge and understanding of Enterprise applications frameworks, Service Oriented Architecture, Enterprise architecture, Information modelling and design frameworks, Physical Infrastructure and deployment models, Architecture and design frameworks such as TOGAF, ZACHMAN etc.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of Mainstream computing platforms and architectures, Operating systems, Databases, End user computing platforms, Networks and communications, Cloud computing delivery platforms (IaaS, PaaS & SaaS), Virtualisation, Integration services, architecture design standards and development methodologies.
• Extensive experience of enterprise class organisations with cloud / mixed IT footprints and related modernisation of corporate architecture and application of appropriate governance.
• Expert knowledge and understanding of implementing technical changes in existing legacy IT estates.
• Broad understanding of and experience in working within programme and project management methodologies and governance.
• Experience of operating with and within hybrid support functions – internal and external / 3rd party organisations.
• Responsive to short‑term challenges / priorities whilst holding to clear strategy and direction.
• Direct experience of working and communicating effectively with peers, sponsors and business stakeholders at all levels both organisationally and across large scale programmes / IT developments.
• Ability to frame solution architecture trends and opportunities within AQA’s strategic objectives.
• Proven expertise in identifying and improving high level processes and ways of working.
• Aptitude for sharing and embedding best practice.
• Skills to build rapport and influence across a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Conversant with and able to navigate major corporate structures including regulatory environment, financial management and budgeting, programme / project delivery and information security and risk management practices.
• Excellent delivery credentials, with a flexible, pragmatic “can do” attitude and a resilient ability to deliver rapid and effective solutions within a dynamic environment.

Benefits

• Meaningful, varied work with the space to influence both a key portfolio and the future direction of architecture at AQA.
• Shape customer journey change linked to reform.
• Influence architecture maturity, working patterns and standards as the function continues to evolve.
• 35‑hour working week with flexible, hybrid working.
• 25 days’ annual leave (rising to 30), plus Christmas closure days.
• Excellent pension (up to 11.5% employer contribution).

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background—is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

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