Senior Integration and Solution Architect

Pact Solutions; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

PACT Solutions is seeking a Senior Integration and Solution Architect to own the architecture of data integration solutions across our higher education partners. You will define the integration framework: the principles, patterns, standards and technical decisions that determine what is built and how it is built.

This is an architecture-focused role, not day-to-day delivery management. You will guide teams to apply consistent, reusable approaches across Azure Integration Services, API design and

Qualifications

• Senior Integration and Solution Architect responsible for architecture of data integration across HE partners.
• Strong experience with Azure Integration Services and practical engineering background.
• Ability to define target-state architectures and reusable design approaches.

Responsibilities

• Own the integration architecture for assigned partner programmes and shape the target-state integration landscape.
• Define and evolve integration principles, reference architectures, patterns, standards and reusable components.
• Translate business, data and operational requirements into clear solution architectures, design decisions and roadmaps.
• Set the approach to API design, data contracts, message design, asynchronous processing, security, observability and resilience.
• Assess architectural options and provide recommendations to partners and delivery teams.
• Design practical, scalable and maintainable integrations using Azure Integration Services.

Skills

Azure Integration Services

API design

Data contracts

Message design

Asynchronous processing

Security

Observability

Resilience

Solution architecture

Azure Service Bus

Tools

Azure Service Bus

Azure APIs

Job description

Location:Bristolor Manchesterhybrid (regular travel to partner sites across the UK and Ireland as needed)
Role Type:Permanent (full-time preferred, flexible working considered)

About PACT Solutions:

PACT Solutions is a specialist management and digital transformation consultancy working exclusively with higher education institutions across the UK.

We help universities solve complex challenges across strategy, student records, data,changeand delivery. Our work often sits at the heart of major institutional transformation, helping partners improve the student journey,moderniseoperationsand deliver change more effectively.

PACT has grown quickly and is now entering its next phase. We are moving from a founder-led boutique consultancy into a more scaled and structured business, while protecting the quality, culture and partner focus thathavemade us successful.

Our culture is crucial to our success. Each day,our teamsignificantlycontributes toour business and that of ourpartners.

We combine the agility and collaborative spirit of a close-knit consultancy with the credibility, structure, and professionalism needed to deliver meaningful digital transformation.

Our values sit at the heart of everything we do and are core to our business.

Partnership:We work with you, not for you.

Integrity:We do the right thing, even when it requires difficult conversations.

Curiosity:We dig deeper to uncover what will truly deliver value.

Transformation:We focus on outcomes that create lasting, measurable improvement.

The Role

We are looking for a Senior Integration and Solution Architect to own the architecture of data integration solutions across our higher education partners. You will define the integration framework: the principles, patterns,standardsand technical decisions thatdeterminewhat is built and how it is built.

This is an architecture role, not a day-to-day delivery management role.Working alongside colleagues who leadprogrammeand technical delivery, you will provide the architectural direction and assurance that enable secure,resilientand maintainable integrations across complex transformationprogrammes.

You will combine strong consulting skills with practical experience of Azure Integration Services and software engineering. You will shape target-state architectures, guide solutiondesignand support teams to apply consistent, reusable approaches.

Purpose of the role

To support the delivery of effective,practicaland people-centred change activity that helps PACT’s partnersadopt new systems,processesand ways of working successfully.

Key Responsibilities

1. Integration and solution architecture

• Own the integration architecture for assigned partnerprogrammesand shape the target-state integration landscape.

• Define and evolve integration principles, reference architectures, patterns,standardsand reusable components.

• Translate business, data and operational requirements into clear solution architectures, designdecisionsand technical roadmaps.

• Set the approach to API design, data contracts, message design, asynchronous processing, error handling, security,observabilityand resilience.

• Assess architectural options and technical trade-offs, providing clear recommendations to partners and delivery teams.

2. Solution design and technical assurance

• Design practical,scalableand maintainable integrations using Azure Integration Services, including Azure Service Bus,APIsand related Azure services.

• Provide architectural assurance at key design, build,testand deployment points, ensuring solutions conform to agreed standards.

• Review technical designs,codeand documentation to improve consistency,qualityand long-term supportability.