Senior Solutions Architect

Facade Today; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Private Healthcare Insurance

Dental and Healthcare Insurance

Life Assurance 4x salary

Pension contributions

Employee discounts

Job summary

Virgin Active is seeking a Senior Solution Architect to lead the architecture of its global digital ecosystem. This hands-on role collaborates with Product, Engineering, Data and IT teams to set technical direction, create secure, scalable solutions and drive a cloud-native, API-led, event-driven architecture across mobile, web, backend and data platforms.

You will guide complex features, deliver reference implementations, ensure security and production readiness, and partner with

Qualifications

• Significant software engineering experience in senior technical roles.
• Experience leading architecture across mobile, web, backend and data platforms.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Azure and cloud-native architecture.
• Experience designing API-led and event-driven solutions.
• Experience integrating third‑party platforms at scale.
• Understanding of security, identity, privacy and data architecture.
• Hands-on with C#, .NET, CI/CD and modern DevOps practices.
• Experience introducing AI/ML capabilities into digital products.

Responsibilities

• Own target architecture and technical roadmap for Virgin Active's digital ecosystem.
• Define standards for applications, APIs, integrations, data, security and cloud infra.
• Design secure, scalable solutions across mobile, web, backend, data and third-party systems.
• Lead complex features spanning multiple products and domains.
• Provide reference implementations and guide engineers to solve challenges.
• Drive transition to cloud-native, API-led, event-driven architecture.
• Collaborate with Product, Engineering, Data, Marketing and IT to align tech with business.
• Lead architecture reviews and communicate decisions, risks, and trade-offs clearly.
• Provide technical guidance to strengthen architectural capability across the team.
• Oversee Azure infrastructure, networking, identity and security.
• Establish standards for reliability, observability, testing, CI/CD and production readiness.
• Balance long-term goals with technical debt and cost.
• Provide oversight for third-party platforms and external partners.

Skills

Software engineering

Solution architecture

Azure

API-driven architecture

Event-driven architecture

C#/.NET

CI/CD

DevOps

Security & data architecture

Stakeholder management

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Azure Kubernetes Service

Service Bus

API Management

Event Grid

Logic Apps

Job description

As we evolve into Social Wellness Clubs, we are creating spaces and experiences that support every aspect of our members’ physical, mental, nutritional and social wellbeing. By bringing together expert guidance, genuine community, personalised experiences and innovative technology, we make wellness feel accessible, welcoming and easy to navigate. Virgin Active is committed to recruiting the finest people who share our passion for creating exceptional experiences and delivering world-class service every day. We are looking for Senior Solution Architect to join our Digital & Technology Transformation Team.

Technology is central to this evolution. We are building globally scalable solutions that connect our mobile applications, websites, data platforms and third-party services across multiple countries.

You will lead the architecture of our digital ecosystem, creating secure, scalable and maintainable solutions. This is a hands‑on role, working closely with Product, Engineering, Data, Marketing and IT teams to set technical direction and solve complex challenges.

Role Type: Permanent - Full Time

The Role

• Own the target architecture and technical roadmap across Virgin Active’s digital ecosystem.
• Define architectural standards for applications, APIs, integrations, data, security and cloud infrastructure.
• Design secure, scalable solutions across mobile, web, backend services, data platforms and third‑party systems.
• Lead the design of complex features spanning multiple products and technical domains.
• Create reference implementations and work directly with engineers to solve complex technical challenges.
• Guide our transition towards a cloud‑native, API‑led and event‑driven architecture.
• Work with our Group Chief of AI to support the safe and effective introduction of AI into member experiences.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, Data, Marketing and IT teams to align technical solutions with business priorities.
• Lead architecture reviews and communicate technical decisions, risks and trade‑offs clearly.
• Provide technical guidance to engineers and help strengthen architectural capability across the team.
• Oversee Microsoft Azure architecture, including networking, identity, security and infrastructure.
• Establish standards for reliability, observability, testing, CI/CD and production readiness.
• Balance long‑term architectural goals with technical debt, cost and delivery priorities.
• Provide technical oversight for third‑party platforms, vendors and external delivery partners.

Who We're Looking For

• Significant software engineering experience, including experience as a Solution Architect, Principal Engineer or in a similar senior technical role.
• Experience leading architecture across mobile, web, backend, integration and data platforms.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Azure, cloud‑native architecture, distributed systems and microservices.
• Experience designing API‑led and event‑driven solutions.
• Experience integrating third‑party platforms and services at scale.
• A good understanding of security, identity, privacy and data architecture.
• Hands‑on experience with C#, .NET, CI/CD and modern DevOps practices.
• Experience introducing AI or machine‑learning capabilities into digital products.
• Strong technical judgement and the ability to balance scalability, maintainability, cost and delivery.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder‑management skills, with the ability to lead through influence.

It would also be beneficial to have:

• Experience with Azure Functions, API Management, Service Bus, Event Grid or Logic Apps.
• Knowledge of Azure data and AI technologies.
• Experience with Docker, Kubernetes or Azure Kubernetes Service.
• Experience supporting consumer‑facing digital products across multiple countries.
• Experience working with external technology partners and delivery teams.

What You’ll Get

• The opportunity to be part of a brand redefining the future of wellness
• A premium environment with industry‑leading facilities
• Development and progression opportunities aligned to your level
• Access to a vibrant, engaged member community
• The platform to build your career, reputation and impact

Our Perks

• 25 days (excluding bank holidays) annual leave, plus a Celebration Day - and we want you take them.
• Access to The Peoples Pension, with our contributions at 3%.
• Complimentary Virgin Active membership for you and a buddy. You can also get free membership for your children too, ability to take advantage of our Club V.
• Private Dental and Healthcare Insurance - your physical health is important, and we want you to have the access to healthcare should you require it.
• Life Assurance 4x your salary - which we hope you will not need.
• We want you to love Virgin Active like we do, so you get discounts across Virgin active - everything from guest passes to 50% off PT sessions.
• You will join Virgin Family - where not only can you communicate with your colleagues across Virgin Group, but also many discounts (including Virgin Atlantic, Virgin Holidays and Virgin Media/O2)
• Maintaining a healthy diet while at work can be hard, so we offer all our team members 20% off food and drink at our KAUAI branches located in clubs.
• Managing finances can be difficult, so we offer access to Salary Finance. They can support you with loans and savings plans, as well as help you become a personal finance expert.
• Mental health is a cornerstone of wellbeing. Our BUPA employer assistance programme is there when you need a helping hand with 4 free counselling sessions.
• We know finding a new home to rent can be stressful. We partner with Dexters who offer complimentary corporate letting services - meaning no tenant charges.
• Access to ePoints, offering loads of online discounts to retailers.
• Always wanted to take that yoga course? Well VA offer discount on all their Academy courses, trained by the very best instructors.