Lead Architect - Brand new function. Insurance

JR United Kingdom; Stevenage; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the insurance industry is seeking a Lead Architect for a brand-new team aimed at transforming legacy systems to a microservices architecture. This is a unique opportunity for significant impact, technical oversight, and strategic influence within a well-supported initiative.

Benefits

Large change budget

Minimal internal politics

Focus on user-centric designs

Qualifications

• Strong background in solutions architecture (Applications, Cloud, Security).
• Experience modernizing legacy systems into microservices.
• Prior experience in the Insurance industry, ideally Life Insurance.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical oversight across your assigned domain.
• Lead the architectural transition to a microservices architecture.
• Mentor and coach junior architects and technical teams.

Skills

Solutions Architecture

Cloud Infrastructure

Microservices

Security

Effective Communication

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

Lead Architect - Brand new function. Insurance, Stevenage

col-narrow-left

Client:

Nixor

Location:

Job Category:

Other

-

EU work permit required:

Yes

col-narrow-right

Job Views:

1

Posted:

04.06.2025

Expiry Date:

19.07.2025

col-wide

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, but with the remit (and funding) to transform it into a modern Microservices Architecture.

These roles are at the start of a transformative journey, offering you the chance to make a meaningful, lasting impact.

The initial value stream mapping has been completed, and the board fully endorses the transformation. With a clear vision of the target state, no third-party dependencies, and all work being done in-house, this is an exciting and well-supported initiative.

Key Responsibilities

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

Why Join?

According to the Director of Architecture, the role offers rapid impact and the chance to build a high-performing architectural function, with full support from the business:

"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 significant access
• Minimal internal politics, with stakeholder alignment already in place
• Focus on delivering user-centric, meaningful designs from day one

Ideal candidates will have:

• 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, ideally Life Insurance
• Effective communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders

This is a hands-on leadership role combining strategic influence with daily architectural contributions. You will work alongside Business Architects, guiding the technical direction of your domain.