Lead Solutions Architect - Apprenticeship

Ad Warrior Ltd; Oldham; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer pension 28.97%

25 days annual leave

8 bank holidays

Flexible working options

Job summary

DVSA invites applications for a Lead Solution Architect - Apprenticeship in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England. You will join the Enterprise Architecture practice to deliver cloud-based digital services and governance, driving cost efficiency and architectural excellence.

The role requires strong skills in translating business needs into robust solution designs and collaborating with stakeholders across technology and business teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in digital/IT architecture with stakeholder collaboration.
• Proven ability to align designs with Enterprise Architecture principles.
• Experience transforming with AWS and/or Azure cloud ecosystems.
• Familiar with TOGAF or Zachman, ITIL, Archimate/UML/BPMN.

Responsibilities

• Work within DVSA’s Enterprise Architecture practice to reduce debt and TCO.
• Architect cloud-based digital services and provide technical advisory.
• Create and maintain as-is, transition, and to-be architectures.
• Translate business problems into solution architectures with stakeholders.
• Support governance frameworks and ensure value for money.

Skills

Digital/IT architecture

Stakeholder collaboration

Solution design artifacts

Communication to non-technical

AWS/Azure cloud

TOGAF/Zachman

ITIL and modelling

Archimate/UML/BPMN

Education

Level 3 STEM qualifications

Job description

Location:

Bristol, Swansea, Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle, Oldham (Chadderton), Birmingham (Garretts Green) or Uxbridge.

Salary

£57,515 per annum

Vacancy Type

Permanent, Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Closing Date

28th of September 2026

Reporting to the Lead Technical Architect you will work in a team consisting of Lead Solution Architects and play a pivotal role within the architecture community at DVSA.

The Lead Solution Architect will work within DVSA’s Enterprise Architecture practice helping to support reducing technical debt, improving customer and colleague services and reducing TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).

Predominantly focussed on architecting cloud based digital services and responsible for providing technical and advisory support, solutioning and oversight to ensure business objectives can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.

The Lead Solution Architect is responsible for the creation and maintenance of as-is, transition and to-be Solution Architectures which meet the needs of the DVSA, whilst delivering value for money for their designated business capabilities.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• The Lead Solution Architect will work within DVSA’s Enterprise Architecture practice helping to support reducing technical debt, improving customer and colleague services and reducing TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).
• Predominantly focussed on architecting cloud based digital services and responsible for providing technical and advisory support, solutioning and oversight to ensure business objectives can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.
• The Lead Solution Architect is responsible for the creation and maintenance of as-is, transition and to-be Solution Architectures which meet the needs of the DVSA, whilst delivering value for money for their designated business capabilities.
• The Lead Solution Architect works with business and technology stakeholders to translate business problems into solution architectures. Creating an optimal design through an iterative process, aligning the user needs, functional and non-functional requirements, organisational objectives and alignment to the Enterprise Architecture principles, standards, and patterns.
• Support the architecture governance frameworks that enable the DVSA to enhance its services though the delivery of strategically aligned digital solutions and the creation and maintenance of solutions architectures that meet the needs of the business whilst delivering value for money and alignment to DVSA’s Enterprise Architecture.

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

Person specification

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Demonstrated expertise in a digital/IT architecture role, involving active collaboration with stakeholders, translating business requirements into tangible solution design artifacts, and clearly communicating technical intricacies to non-technical audiences.
• Proven track record in ensuring that designed solutions align with the enduring principles and guidelines established by an organization’s Enterprise Architecture practice.
• Extensive track record in strategizing and executing transformation initiatives, with hands-on involvement in business change efforts leveraging AWS and/or Microsoft Azure cloud ecosystems. Proficient in integrating various products and cloud services within these dynamic environments.
• Practical exposure to implementing Solution Architecture frameworks in the context of real-world business transformation scenarios. Proficient with well-known frameworks including TOGAF and/or Zachman, as well as familiar with ITIL practices and modelling notations such as Archimate, UML, and BPMN.

To be eligible for this apprenticeship (if you are not already qualified to a degree level in a Digital Development and Technology discipline) you must:

• Be aged 18 or over.
• Have the right work in the UK.
• Hold the following qualifications: Minimum level 3 qualifications in STEM subjects (e.g., 2 A Levels, BTEC Diplomas, Apprenticeship, or equivalent)
• Not be in full-time education.
• Not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes at the point of enrolment for this apprenticeship.
• Have valid and eligible residency status and be resident in the UK for 3 years before the start of the apprenticeship. Full eligibility details can be found here at Annex A. If you are not sure if you meet the residency requirements then please contact us before applying.

Lead Solutions Architect - Apprenticeship • Oldham, Greater Manchester, England