Public Services Solutions Architect (Hybrid/Remote)

Essex County Council; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Essex County Council is seeking a Solutions Architect to turn complex service needs into deliverable designs across public services, including cloud, data, integration and security. Permanent, full-time role based in Chelmsford with flexible hybrid working.

You will guide delivery teams, apply TOGAF or similar frameworks, and collaborate with stakeholders to balance cost, risk and performance while helping modernise services for residents and staff.

Qualifications

• Substantial practical experience in solution architecture.
• Strong track record of designing and guiding complex solutions through delivery.
• Ability to understand service and user needs, explore options and turn ambiguity into clear, proportionate designs.
• Experience applying recognised architecture frameworks and modelling approaches, such as TOGAF or equivalent.
• Broad technical understanding across cloud and SaaS platforms, data, integration, identity, security and legacy modernisation.
• Confidence using architecture tools to communicate current and future-state services.
• Experience working flexibly with delivery teams and applying digital service, accessibility, data protection and cyber security principles.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the design of end-to-end solutions, translating user and service needs into deliverable technology.
• Provide architecture support from early exploration through to implementation.
• Produce clear solution designs, options and roadmaps.
• Help teams make pragmatic trade-offs between user need, cost, risk, and delivery constraints.
• Apply and develop ECC’s architectural principles, standards and strategic direction.
• Assess technology and supplier options and present evidence-based recommendations.
• Support commercial activity and business cases, helping select products and suppliers.
• Build trusted relationships across services, delivery teams and suppliers.

Skills

Solution architecture

Delivery guidance

TOGAF

Cloud & SaaS

Security & data

Stakeholder engagement

Architecture principles

Cost & risk trade-offs

Job description

Essex County Council is seeking a Solutions Architect to turn complex service needs into deliverable designs across public services, including cloud, data, integration and security. Permanent, full-time role based in Chelmsford with flexible hybrid working.

You will guide delivery teams, apply TOGAF or similar frameworks, and collaborate with stakeholders to balance cost, risk and performance while helping modernise services for residents and staff.