Lead Solution Architect - Public Sector

IBM; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

IBM Consulting Public Sector in the United Kingdom seeks a Lead Architect to provide technical leadership across large-scale programmes, guiding cloud native services, SaaS, bespoke development, and legacy systems. You will lead a technical team and act as a trusted advisor to the client.

The role offers growth to senior technical leadership, with opportunities toward IBM Distinguished Engineer tracks, and engagement across IBM and partner teams in a fast-paced, delivery-driven environment.

Qualifications

• You will be an experienced technical leader with a proven track‑record as solution architect on significant programmes and bids.
• You will be technically innovative and have a history of dynamic leadership over multiple successful deliveries and opportunities.
• Strong background designing solutions for public sector clients, with understanding of government standards, compliance, and procurement processes.
• Expertise in enterprise architecture frameworks and methodologies.
• Proven ability to design and integrate cloud, data, application, and infrastructure components into end‑to‑end solutions.
• Strong understanding of modern technologies such as hybrid cloud, automation, integration platforms, security frameworks, and digital services.
• Experience of AWS or/and Azure and their services
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Experience leading architecture teams and providing technical leadership on major programmes.
• Comfortable in a range of delivery methods and approaches including agile, SAFe and traditional waterfall
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, matrixed consulting environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end solution design for large-scale public sector programmes, ensuring alignment with client goals and IBM best practices.
• Work with business and technical stakeholders to translate strategic requirements into robust architecture blueprints.
• Define and oversee solution governance, architecture standards, and technical assurance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide thought leadership on emerging technologies, cloud adoption, integration strategies, and digital transformation.
• Drive the technical approach for proposals and RFP responses, shaping winning solutions and delivery models.
• Partner with delivery teams to ensure solutions are implemented effectively, securely, and to specification.
• Develop strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor on architecture and technology strategy.
• Lead architecture reviews, risk assessments, and mitigation planning for complex engagements.
• Mentor and guide junior architects and technical consultants within the team.

Skills

Solution architecture

Technical leadership

Public sector design

Cloud technologies

Enterprise architecture

AWS/Azure

Stakeholder management

Agile/SAFe

Delivery leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

AWS

Azure

Job description

A career in IBM Consulting is built on long-term client relationships and close collaboration worldwide. You’ll work with leading companies and government clients, helping them shape their hybrid cloud and AI journeys. With support from our strategic partners, robust IBM technology, and Red Hat, you’ll have the tools to drive meaningful change and accelerate client impact. At IBM Consulting, curiosity fuels success. You’ll be encouraged to challenge the norm, explore new ideas, and create innovative solutions that deliver real results. Our culture of growth and empathy focuses on your long‑term career development while valuing your unique skills and experiences.

Your Role And Responsibilities

We are looking for an experienced architect to join the IBM Consulting Public Sector team as a Lead Architect working on one of our major programmes or opportunities. You will provide technical leadership for a client solution, leading a technical team and be a trusted advisor to your client. You will be responsible for aspects of the technical solution including cloud native services, SaaS, bespoke development and existing legacy systems. The right candidate will be comfortable working in ‘rainbow’ teams with multiple different suppliers or as part of a wholly IBM team.

Specific Responsibilities Will Include

• Lead the end-to-end solution design for large-scale public sector programmes, ensuring alignment with client goals and IBM best practices.
• Work with business and technical stakeholders to translate strategic requirements into robust architecture blueprints.
• Define and oversee solution governance, architecture standards, and technical assurance throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide thought leadership on emerging technologies, cloud adoption, integration strategies, and digital transformation.
• Drive the technical approach for proposals and RFP responses, shaping winning solutions and delivery models.
• Partner with delivery teams to ensure solutions are implemented effectively, securely, and to specification.
• Develop strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor on architecture and technology strategy.
• Lead architecture reviews, risk assessments, and mitigation planning for complex engagements.
• Mentor and guide junior architects and technical consultants within the team.

This is an opportunity to grow your career as a senior technical leader working on some of the country’s largest and most important solutions. For the right candidate with the drive, aptitude and ability career progression up to and including IBM Distinguished Engineer is available in this role.

Preferred Education

Bachelor's Degree

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

• You will be an experienced technical leader with a proven track‑record as solution architect on significant programmes and bids.
• You will be technically innovative and have a history of dynamic leadership over multiple successful deliveries and opportunities.
• Strong background designing solutions for public sector clients, with understanding of government standards, compliance, and procurement processes.
• Expertise in enterprise architecture frameworks and methodologies.
• Proven ability to design and integrate cloud, data, application, and infrastructure components into end‑to‑end solutions.
• Strong understanding of modern technologies such as hybrid cloud, automation, integration platforms, security frameworks, and digital services.
• Experience of AWS or/and Azure and their services
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Experience leading architecture teams and providing technical leadership on major programmes.
• Comfortable in a range of delivery methods and approaches including agile, SAFe and traditional waterfall
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, matrixed consulting environment.

Preferred Technical And Professional Experience

• Strong understanding & delivery experience of cloud native architectures
• Deep understanding of AI and its practical application
• Expertise in one or more public sector relevant IT domains found in one of the major UK government departments