Solution Architect

AQA

Greater Manchester

On-site

GBP 74,000 - 86,000

Full time

5 days ago

Be an early applicant

Get more replies from employers

Send a job-specific resume in minutes.

Benefits offered by this job

Pension + 11.5% contribution

BUPA healthcare support

Wellbeing programmes

Volunteering opportunities

35-hour working week

Job summary

AQA is seeking a Solution Architect to shape enterprise-wide technology decisions and guide the delivery of scalable IT solutions across a complex landscape. The role sits in the Enterprise Technology team and involves collaboration with business and technology stakeholders to balance innovation with governance.

You will provide architecture leadership, contribute to technology roadmaps and ensure alignment with AQA's strategic goals, while working in a hybrid model with a minimum two days in

Qualifications

Proven experience as a Solution Architect in large-scale enterprise environments.
Ability to design scalable, secure IT solutions across applications, data and infrastructure.
Strong communication skills to influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Design and guide technology solutions that meet business requirements while aligning with standards and delivery priorities.
Provide architectural leadership to stakeholders and project teams across enterprise platforms.
Drive architecture governance, roadmaps, horizon scanning, and compliance with enterprise architecture principles.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Cloud platforms

Stakeholder communication

Solution delivery

Governance & standards

Tools

Architecture frameworks

Job description

At AQA, we're committed to advancing education and we're committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it's our people who make this happen.

Solution Architect

Permanent

Manchester: £73,600 - £85,800

Milton Keynes: £76,700 - £89,300

Hybrid working - a minimum of 2 days per week in the office

Introduction

Are you a solution architect who enjoys turning complex business needs into practical, scalable technology solutions? This is an opportunity to shape enterprise-wide technology decisions, influence strategy and work across a varied technology landscape while helping AQA deliver services that support learners and education.

Purpose of the Role

As a Solution Architect, you'll play a key role within the Enterprise Architecture team, working closely with business and technology stakeholders to design solutions that deliver real business value. You'll provide architectural leadership across enterprise technologies, guide solution delivery and help ensure technology investments align with long-term strategic goals. You'll also contribute to the evolution of AQA's technology landscape by balancing innovation, governance and practical delivery.

In this role, you'll be responsible for:

Designing and guiding technology solutions that meet business requirements while aligning with architectural standards, strategic objectives and delivery priorities.
Providing expert architectural advice and leadership to stakeholders, project teams and technology colleagues, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure and fit for purpose.
Driving architecture governance and continuous improvement, including technology roadmaps, horizon scanning, standards development and compliance with enterprise architecture principles.

What's in it for you?

You'll have the opportunity to influence technology decisions at an enterprise level while continuing to develop your expertise across a broad and evolving technology environment.

Shape strategic technology direction and influence major business and transformation initiatives.
Work with a wide range of stakeholders, gaining exposure to enterprise, assessment and group technology teams.
Develop your professional capability through complex architecture challenges and emerging technology opportunities.

A 35-hour working week with flexible, hybrid working.

25 days' annual leave rising to 30, plus Christmas closure days.

A benefits package including up to 11.5 percent pension contribution, BUPA healthcare support, wellbeing programmes and volunteering opportunities.

You’ll thrive in this role if you have:

Proven experience as a Solution Architect with a strong track record of delivering technology solutions within complex enterprise environments.
Strong knowledge of enterprise architecture, cloud platforms, integration approaches and modern technology frameworks, including experience working across applications, infrastructure and data environments.
The ability to communicate and influence effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders at all levels.
Experience balancing strategic thinking with practical delivery, helping organisations modernise technology while managing legacy environments and operational realities.
A collaborative, pragmatic mindset with a focus on solving problems, improving ways of working and delivering positive outcomes.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone – regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background – is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

Application deadline: Sunday 6th September

Full Job Description

Summary

Purpose:

In your role as Solution Architect you will operate within the (Enterprise Technology) Enterprise Architecture team working closely with the Enterprise Architect. You will lead on the delivery of Solutions Architecture services, designing and ensuring delivery of IT solutions that meet business requirements.

You will provide solution architecture consultancy support to colleagues and business stakeholders, providing effective and pragmatic advice, guidance, direction and architectural liaison between technology and business stakeholders shaping and guiding solution delivery in the drive to deliver proportionate and effective solutions that meet desired business outcomes.

You will deliver a solution architecture service and approach that positively influences and evolves the information technology landscape across both Enterprise and Assessment technology areas of the business, providing overarching architectural oversight and compliance assurance.

You will support the delivery of effective architectural strategies within Enterprise Technology that promote proportionate and effective solutions and will engage with key stakeholders across Assessment Technology and (where appropriate) wider group entities to ensure alignment and oversight of approaches.

You will maintain and apply high levels of technology knowledge and architectural expertise in the production of architectural designs and approaches ensuring attainment of business objectives whilst balancing deliverability, architectural principles and alignment to the wider AQA strategy and objectives.

You will establish, lead on and champion coherent corporate wide architecture model(s) and standards where appropriate, taking ownership of, and resolving (or escalating), related issues or concerns you identify.

You will design, implement, guide and support the delivery of technology solutions to address business requirements and liaise between technology / business stakeholders, peers and colleagues both within the team and across the wider business.

You will maintain and apply a high level of technology design knowledge in the production of solution architecture designs and solutions and demonstrate appropriately commensurate levels of knowledge and expertise across other related architectural areas.

Landscape:

The Enterprise Technology Division sits within the Corporate Services Division, enabling the centralised delivery of core corporate services. In addition, Enterprise Technology operates in close partnership with Assessment Technology and Programme Management, collectively delivering the full IT service portfolio of current operations to future change programmes.

Enterprise Technology consists of the following functions: