Lead API Solution Architect

Venn Group; City Of London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm seeks a seasoned Lead API Solution Architect to define and drive API strategies in a regulated banking environment. This senior role demands expertise in API architecture and deep experience within financial services. Responsibilities include leading API initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing technical leadership. Ideal candidates will have experience with Azure API Management or Apigee, and knowledge of secure messaging tools.

Qualifications

• Proven API architecture leadership in banking or regulated financial environments.
• Experience with API design in secure and scalable solutions.
• Strong expertise in regulatory compliance and security practices.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead API strategy across the enterprise.
• Promote API-first adoption across the organization.
• Collaborate with enterprise architects for end-to-end solutions.

Skills

API architecture leadership

Knowledge of payments, KYC, lending, trading

Familiarity with Open Banking standards

Understanding of REST, JSON, OpenAPI

Experience with Azure API Management or Apigee

Knowledge of secure messaging tools

Experience on major cloud platforms, preferably Azure

CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices

Tools

Azure API Management

Apigee

Kafka

IBM MQ

Azure

Job description

Lead API Solution Architect – Director Level – Up to £1000 per day INSIDE IR35

Banking Client

London

Our client, are seeking an experienced Lead API Solution Architect to shape and drive the enterprise API strategy across the financial services landscape. This senior role requires a strategic technology leader with strong expertise in API architecture and deep experience working in regulated banking environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and lead API strategy across the enterprise, aligned to business priorities.
• Promote API-first adoption and reusable architecture patterns across the organization.
• Establish governance standards covering API lifecycle, design, and versioning.
• Design secure and scalable API solutions across banking platforms and partner ecosystems.
• Enable integration across core banking systems, third-party fintechs, and cloud environments.
• Collaborate with enterprise architects and business stakeholders to shape end-to-end solutions.
• Embed strong API security practices and identity standards (OAuth2, OIDC).
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, including data privacy and risk controls.
• Assess and mitigate security threats in API exposure and integration patterns.
• Provide technical leadership to architecture and engineering teams.
• Mentor teams on API best practices and design standards.
• Drive architectural reviews and influence senior technology stakeholders.
• Ensure APIs meet business SLAs for availability, performance, and resilience.
• Use analytics and monitoring to drive continuous improvement.

Essential Skills

• Proven API architecture leadership in banking or regulated financial environments.
• Working knowledge of payments, KYC, lending, trading, or regulatory reporting.
• Familiarity with Open Banking standards and financial API ecosystems.
• Strong understanding of REST, JSON, OpenAPI, and event-driven integration.
• Experience with API platforms such as Azure API Management or Apigee.
• Knowledge of secure messaging and integration tools (e.g. Kafka, IBM MQ).
• Experience designing solutions on major cloud platforms (preferably Azure).
• CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices are essential.