Solution Architect

Charities Aid Foundation; Kings Hill; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Permanent hybrid working

Six weeks holiday + bank holidays

Development opportunities

Pension scheme

Social impact benefit schemes

Job summary

CAF Bank is seeking a Senior Solution Architect to shape the architecture of our banking systems and ensure technology change supports our strategy, standards, policies and regulatory requirements.

You will mature the CAF Bank Architecture function, provide technical leadership across complex change initiatives and ensure designs from third‑party suppliers and internal teams integrate coherently into the target architecture, working with senior leaders and partners.

Qualifications

• Extensive architecture experience across Information, Integration, Security and Application architecture.
• Experience leading the complete project lifecycle for large-scale technology change.
• Strong technical analysis and design experience for audiences of varying technical levels.
• Extensive experience with architecture frameworks, governance, roadmaps and repositories.

Responsibilities

• Mature the design approach for CAF Bank banking systems and contribute to architecture roadmaps.
• Develop an integrated view of the Technology Architecture using standard techniques and reference models.
• Provide architecture governance and oversight across change initiatives and supplier artefacts.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define pragmatic, cost-effective solutions and ensure alignment with target architecture.

Skills

Architecture leadership

API-centric

Microservices

Data architecture

Security architecture

IT governance

Stakeholder management

Agile delivery

Education

Relevant degree

TOGAF certification

ITIL certification

Tools

TOGAF

Azure

Microsoft 365

Job description

At CAF Bank, every one of us contributes to our impact. As a Senior Solution Architect, you will play an integral role in shaping the architecture of our banking systems and ensuring technology change supports our strategy, standards, principles, policies and regulatory requirements. This is a senior architecture and assurance role. You will help mature the CAF Bank Architecture function, provide technical leadership across complex change initiatives and ensure that designs produced by third‑party suppliers and internal teams are technically sound and integrate coherently into our target architecture. You will work closely with senior leaders, programme and service delivery teams, business stakeholders and solution partners. You will be expected to operate credibly and independently, exercise sound judgement on complex or contentious architecture matters and work alongside the Lead Architect as and when required. As a Senior Solution Architect you will:

• Help mature the design approach for CAF Bank banking systems and contribute to architecture roadmaps and the wider CAF Bank Enterprise Architecture.
• Develop an integrated view of the Technology Architecture using repeatable approaches, cohesive frameworks, industry‑standard techniques and reference models.
• Provide architecture governance and technical oversight across change initiatives, assessing conceptual, logical and solution architecture artefacts produced by third parties and internal teams.
• Work with Technology, business stakeholders, programme management, Service Delivery and third‑party suppliers to define pragmatic, cost‑effective and workable solutions.
• Maintain and improve architecture standards, principles, repositories, assurance processes and the CAF Bank Technology Governance Framework.
• Present complex architecture matters clearly, manage technology risk, mentor less experienced architects and deputise for the Architecture Team Lead where required.
  This role is for you if you are an experienced architect who can provide senior technical leadership, assurance and pragmatic guidance in a regulated environment. We are looking for:
• Extensive architecture experience across Information, Integration, Security and Application architecture.
• Experience leading the complete project lifecycle for large-scale, complex technology change.
• Strong technical analysis and design experience, including solution options and high-level design artefacts for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Extensive experience of architecture frameworks, reference models, architecture repositories, governance frameworks and technology roadmaps.
• Proficiency in API-centric architecture, microservices, data integration, messaging and event-driven architecture patterns.
• A solid understanding of data architecture and governance, security principles, secure service design and holistic enterprise architecture.
• Knowledge of SaaS, IaaS, PaaS, Microsoft 365, Azure, automation, AI and modern digital platform technologies.
• Strong knowledge of software delivery lifecycles, IT service management and Agile, lean and waterfall delivery approaches.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, with the ability to influence Executive, senior, technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, analytical, planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of retail banking, financial services, payments, CRM or the Temenos Banking Solution Stack would be advantageous.
• A relevant degree or equivalent experience is essential. TOGAF, CISA, CRISC, ITIL or another relevant professional qualification would be advantageous.
  We are more than a bank. From the one-person causes to the large-scale organisations, we are the bank charities turn to. We believe in the power of good, and in treating the goals of charities as our own. We are owned by Charities Aid Foundation (CAF). CAF connects charities with funds, and we at CAF Bank help charities to manage those funds. Our connection with such a long-established charitable organisation highlights how we believe in banking with purpose. Diversity and inclusion We know that the more diverse and inclusive our organisation becomes, the more creative, effective and impactful we will be. Our aim is for our workforce to represent the society we serve, and we have embarked upon an ambitious pathway to achieve this.

Benefits

• Permanent hybrid ways of working where roles allow.
• Six weeks holiday plus bank holidays.
• A range of development opportunities to support personal and professional growth.
• Pension scheme with better-than-market employer contribution options.
• Social impact benefit schemes.