Principal Solution Architect & Practice Leader

CO-OP; Manchester; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Holiday allowance

Pension 10%

Private healthcare

Onsite gym

Product discounts

Virtual healthcare

Wellbeing support

Training & progression

Cycle-to-work

Job summary

Co-op is seeking a Principal Solution Architect & Practice Manager to lead architectural strategy and people leadership. You will own end-to-end solution architecture for key initiatives, shaping roadmaps and guiding complex designs across the technology landscape.

You’ll mentor a team of Solution Architects and collaborate with Value Stream Leadership to build a strong architecture community. You’ll influence technology direction, balance trade-offs, and ensure delivery of high-quality, secure

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a Solution Architect delivering complex solutions.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team of architects.
• Experience shaping architecture practice and governance in a large organisation.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end solution architecture for key initiatives aligned with strategy.
• Define and maintain roadmaps supporting long-term priorities.
• Lead architectural decision-making balancing standard vs bespoke solutions.
• Support scalable, secure, well-integrated solutions across technology landscape.
• Coach and develop a team of Solution Architects.
• Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing across the architecture community.
• Ensure designs meet governance and architecture standards.

Skills

Solution architecture

People leadership

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Mentoring & coaching

Communication

Job description

Co-op is seeking a Principal Solution Architect & Practice Manager to lead architectural strategy and people leadership. You will own end-to-end solution architecture for key initiatives, shaping roadmaps and guiding complex designs across the technology landscape.

You’ll mentor a team of Solution Architects and collaborate with Value Stream Leadership to build a strong architecture community. You’ll influence technology direction, balance trade-offs, and ensure delivery of high-quality, secure