Lead Solution Architect

Bank of England; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 72,320 - 81,360; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

8% cash benefits allowance

26 days' annual leave plus option to buy 12 more

Private medical insurance

Discretionary annual performance award

Job summary

A major national financial institution is seeking an experienced Lead Solution Architect to develop strategic architectural directions for technology initiatives vital to the UK's financial system. You will leverage your Azure expertise to guide data architectures and ensure alignment with enterprise standards. In return, enjoy a flexible working culture including hybrid options, generous benefits like 26 days of annual leave, and a cash benefits allowance. This position is based in Leeds on a 21-month FTC.

Qualifications

• Strong Azure capability across ADLS, Databricks, App Services, and Purview.
• Proven experience producing enterprise architecture artefacts.
• Advanced data-collection and modelling capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop technology strategies and architectural artefacts.
• Lead architectural governance and present at design forums.
• Shape secure data architectures across Azure services.

Skills

Azure expertise

Data collection and modelling

Architectural governance

Cloud-native platform design

Job description

Become part of a mission‑driven team building secure, resilient platforms that safeguard the nation’s financial system. The Bank of England, in partnership with Inspire People, is seeking a Lead Solution Architect with strong Azure expertise (ADLS, Databricks, App Services, Purview), advanced data‑collection and modelling capability, and the ability to produce clear, high‑quality architectural artefacts. Based in Leeds on a 21‑month FTC with a salary of £72,320 - £81,360 plus an 8% cash benefits allowance, discretionary annual bonus and a non‑contributory pension.

Shape the Future of Technology at the UK’s Central Bank

The Bank of England plays a vital role in maintaining the nation’s monetary and financial stability. As a Lead Solution Architect (SAM), you will drive the strategic architectural direction for major data collection, regulatory and enterprise technology initiatives that underpin the financial system.

As a Lead Solution Architect you will:

• Develop technology strategies, roadmaps and architectural artefacts (HLDs, blueprints, target states) that guide enterprise and regulatory platforms.
• Lead architectural governance, presenting at design forums and ensuring alignment with Bank‑wide standards.
• Shape secure data architectures across Azure services, including ingestion, validation, modelling and metadata design.
• Partner with stakeholders across Technology, Data, Policy and Delivery to influence decisions and provide thought leadership.
• Support procurement processes, vendor assessments and technical requirements across key programmes.

Essential skills for the Lead Solution Architect include:

• Strong Azure capability across ADLS, Databricks, App Services, Purview, identity and integration patterns.
• Proven experience shaping enterprise architecture artefacts including HLDs, blueprints, options and phased roadmaps.
• Advanced data‑collection and modelling capability, including regulatory standards such as XBRL and XML.
• Ability to drive architectural governance, influence senior stakeholders and ensure alignment to strategic direction.
• Experience designing cloud‑native platforms, high‑volume ingestion pipelines and workflow orchestration.

Desirable skills for the Lead Solution Architect include:

• Experience within regulated environments or large‑scale financial services architecture.
• Familiarity with EA frameworks including TOGAF, SAFe or Zachman.
• Exposure to UX, service design or user‑facing workflow optimisation.
• Background in operational resilience, service continuity or hybrid architecture patterns.
• Integration with enterprise data platforms, analytics tooling or data‑governance systems.

In return, you can expect a flexible working culture, including:

• Hybrid working with 40–50% office attendance monthly.
• Flexible start and finish times, adaptable working patterns and working‑from‑abroad policy (subject to approval).
• Inclusive culture that values diversity, wellbeing and career development.

Benefits include:

• 8% cash benefits allowance.
• 26 days’ annual leave plus option to buy up to 12 more.
• Private medical insurance and income protection.
• Discretionary annual performance award.

If you want to deliver technology that strengthens the UK’s financial stability and underpins critical national infrastructure, we’d love to hear from you. Apply on the link and one of the Inspire People team will be in touch.