D365 Solution Architect

Cognitive Group | Part Of The Focus Cloud Group; England; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognitive Group, part of Focus Cloud Group, is seeking an experienced Solution Architect to lead design and delivery of Microsoft-based solutions across complex programmes. This client-facing role involves shaping architectures, aligning with governance, and guiding delivery teams.

You will translate business requirements into scalable technology, work with stakeholders and engineering teams, and support bid activities with confident option assessments within Agile and hybrid environments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Solution/Enterprise/Technical Architect.
• Strong understanding of Business, Data, Application, Technology or Security Architecture domains.
• Experience applying TOGAF and SAFe frameworks.
• Strong stakeholder management and consulting skills.
• Experience designing within governance frameworks and target operating models.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
• Experience using UML or ArchiMate modelling tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience in Agile and hybrid delivery environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead solution architecture activities across multiple projects and programmes.
• Produce architecture artefacts including high- and low-level designs, roadmaps and option assessments.
• Define architectural principles, standards and governance controls.
• Guide implementation with engineering teams and resolve complex challenges.
• Contribute to solution designs and estimates for business development.
• Engage senior stakeholders to shape technology strategies and investment cases.
• Ensure solutions align with objectives, requirements and standards.
• Operate within Agile and hybrid delivery environments (Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall, SAFe).
• Promote best-practice architecture approaches across delivery teams.
• Support planning, benefits realisation and long-term roadmaps.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Architectural design

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Tools

TOGAF

SAFe

UML

ArchiMate

Job description

We are partnering with a leading technology and consulting organisation that helps clients solve complex business challenges through digital transformation, innovation and modern engineering practices. Working across both public and private sector environments, the business delivers technology-led solutions that improve operational performance and support long-term organisational change. With a collaborative and people-focused culture, the organisation invests heavily in learning, development and professional growth, offering opportunities to work on a wide variety of large-scale, business-critical programmes.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Solution Architect to lead the design and delivery of technology solutions built on the Microsoft ecosystem. This is a client-facing role working closely with business stakeholders, engineering teams and programme leadership to shape solution designs, define architecture standards and support successful project delivery. You will play a key role in translating business requirements into scalable technical solutions, ensuring alignment with governance standards, target operating models and strategic objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead solution architecture activities across multiple projects and programmes.
• Produce architecture artefacts including high-level designs, low-level designs, roadmaps and technical options assessments.
• Define architectural principles, standards and governance controls.
• Work closely with engineering teams to guide implementation and resolve complex technical challenges.
• Support business development activities by contributing to solution designs and estimates.
• Engage with senior stakeholders to shape technology strategies and investment cases.
• Ensure solutions align with business objectives, functional requirements and technical standards.
• Operate within Agile and traditional delivery environments, including Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall and SAFe frameworks.
• Promote best practice architecture approaches across delivery teams.
• Support planning, benefits realisation and long-term technology roadmaps.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Solution Architect, Enterprise Architect or Technical Architect role.
• Strong understanding of one or more architecture domains including Business, Data, Application, Technology or Security Architecture.
• Experience applying architecture frameworks such as TOGAF and SAFe.
• Strong stakeholder management and consulting skills.
• Experience designing and delivering solutions within structured governance frameworks and target operating models.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience using architecture modelling techniques and tools such as UML, ArchiMate or equivalent.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience working within Agile and hybrid delivery environments.

Required Skills

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 architecture and implementation experience.
• Experience with Power Platform and Azure-based solutions.
• Background in software engineering, enterprise applications or digital transformation programmes.
• Experience leading technical teams within complex delivery environments.

Preferred Skills

• Due to the nature of some projects, successful applicants may need to satisfy security screening requirements.
• Applicants should be eligible to work in the UK and meet any residency requirements associated with security clearance processes where applicable.