Lead Architect - Brand new function. Insurance

JR United Kingdom; Luton; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the insurance sector is seeking a Lead Architect to join a newly formed team. This is a unique opportunity to influence the technology landscape as they transition to a modern microservices architecture, contributing to a well-supported initiative with minimal internal politics.

Benefits

Large change budget

Minimal internal politics

Focus on user-centric designs

Qualifications

• Strong background in solutions architecture.
• Experience in modernizing legacy systems to microservices.
• Prior experience in the Insurance Industry (Life Insurance preferred).

Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight across the domain.
• Lead the transition from monolithic to microservices architecture.
• Mentor junior architects and technical teams.

Skills

Solutions Architecture

Applications

Cloud

Security

Deep Knowledge of Design Patterns

Effective Communication

Job description

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Lead Architect - Brand new function. Insurance, Luton, Bedfordshire

Client: Nixor

Location: Luton, Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

Job Category: Other

EU work permit required: Yes

Job Views: 1

Posted: 04.06.2025

Expiry Date: 19.07.2025

Job Description:

Nixor are currently seeking Principal/Lead Architects with Life Insurance / Assurance industry knowledge, to join a newly formed architecture team for the UK's largest Mutual Pensions company. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the future of their technology landscape as they transition from a legacy, "spaghetti" architecture to a modern, microservices-based target architecture over the coming years.

About the Role

As a Lead Architect, you will take full ownership of your domain, overseeing applications, cloud infrastructure, and services. This is a brand new team inheriting a legacy "spaghetti" architecture, with the remit and funding to transform it into a modern Micro-services Architecture.

This role is at the start of a transformative journey, offering the chance to make a meaningful impact. The initial value stream mapping has been completed, endorsed by the board, with a clear vision of the target state, no third-party dependencies, and all work done in-house. This is an exciting and well-supported initiative.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight across your domain
• Collaborate with the board and senior stakeholders
• Lead the transition from monolithic to microservices architecture
• Define and implement standards for application development, security, and observability
• Mentor and coach junior architects and technical teams
• Serve as the technical point of contact for your business unit

Why Join?

The Director of Architecture joined 6 months ago, citing:

"I've never worked anywhere where you can make such an impact so quickly. We're building this team from the top down, and these Principal Architects will be the first hires—I want to create a high-performing architectural function. The business fully supports me."

Additional benefits include:

• A large change budget with access to a significant portion
• Minimal internal politics due to prior stakeholder alignment
• Focus on delivering user-centric, meaningful designs from day one

We’re seeking experienced Architects with:

• A strong background in solutions architecture (Applications, Cloud, Security)
• Experience modernizing legacy systems into microservices
• Deep knowledge of design patterns, cloud infrastructure, and security
• Prior experience in the Insurance Industry (Life Insurance preferred)
• Effective communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders

These are hands-on leadership roles combining strategic influence and daily architectural contribution. You’ll collaborate with Business Architects, guiding the technical direction of your domain.