Solution Architect

AQA; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension up to 11.5%

Healthcare (BUPA)

Wellbeing programmes

Volunteering opportunities

Hybrid working

Annual leave 25–30 days

Job summary

AQA is seeking a Solution Architect to join the Enterprise Architecture team and shape technology strategy across the organisation. You will translate business needs into scalable, secure solutions and provide architectural leadership from concept to delivery.

You will influence strategic technology decisions, collaborate with diverse stakeholders, and drive governance across enterprise platforms and data environments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Solution Architect delivering enterprise-scale solutions.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise architecture, cloud platforms and integration approaches.
• Ability to communicate and influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience balancing strategy with practical delivery across apps, infrastructure and data environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and govern solutions that meet business requirements while aligning with standards and delivery priorities.
• Provide architectural leadership and advice to stakeholders, project teams and technology colleagues.
• Drive architecture governance, roadmaps and horizon scanning to ensure secure, scalable solutions.

Skills

Solution Architecture

Enterprise Architecture

Cloud platforms

Stakeholder management

Governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

TOGAF

AWS

Azure

Job description

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

Shape the future of technology at AQA

Are you a solution architect who enjoys turning complex business needs into practical, scalable technology solutions?

At AQA, you'll have the opportunity to influence enterprise-wide technology decisions, shape strategic direction and help deliver innovative solutions that support learners, educators and assessment services across the UK. Working across a diverse and evolving technology landscape, you'll play a pivotal role in driving long-term business value through scalable, secure and future-focused solutions.

Purpose of the Role

As a Solution Architect within our Enterprise Architecture team, you'll work at the heart of business and technology transformation. Collaborating with stakeholders across the organisation, you'll translate complex business needs into practical, effective solutions, providing architectural leadership from concept through to delivery.

This is an exciting opportunity to influence how technology evolves at AQA, balancing innovation with governance and ensuring that technology investments support both current priorities and future ambitions.

You'll play a leading role in shaping and guiding technology solutions across the organisation by:

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

This role offers the chance to make a genuine impact on AQA's technology strategy while developing your expertise within a broad and evolving enterprise environment.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Influence strategic technology decisions and contribute to major business and transformation initiatives.
• Work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders across enterprise, assessment and group technology teams.
• Develop your professional capability through complex architecture challenges and emerging technology opportunities.
• Enjoy a 35-hour working week alongside flexible, hybrid working.
• Benefit from 25 days' annual leave, rising to 30 days, plus Christmas closure days.
• Access a comprehensive benefits package including up to 11.5% 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.
• Demonstrable 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 problem-solving mindset, focused on continuous improvement, collaboration and delivering positive business outcomes.
• A problem-solving mindset, focused on continuous improvement, collaboration and delivering positive business outcomes.

Our commitment to diversity and inclusion

At AQA, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work. We value the different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds our people bring, knowing they strengthen our culture, decision-making and impact. We foster an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect, has access to opportunities to grow and contribute, and feels able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences.