Solution Architect - Clara Technology & Solutions - Senior Manager

KPMG Careers; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

KPMG are seeking a Solution Architect within Clara Technology & Solutions to define end-to-end architectures for audit technology initiatives. You will engage with audit teams, architects, and vendors to shape secure, scalable solutions that deliver measurable value.

The role emphasizes governance, SaaS/cloud, microservices and modern development practices, with opportunities to influence delivery and risk across the Audit Centre of Excellence.

Qualifications

• Experience in Solution Architecture roles across application, integration, data, technology and security domains.
• Knowledge of SaaS, cloud hosting, integration technologies and modern development practices.
• Ability to translate business needs into technical requirements and architecture designs.
• Experience with Agile SDLC and governance processes in technology delivery.
• Familiarity with GDPR and ISO 27001 is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Define end-to-end solution architectures for audit technology projects and portfolio initiatives.
• Create and develop architectural design documents (conceptual and detailed).
• Ensure solutions are secure, scalable, robust and maintainable and future-ready.
• Support governance processes and technology assurance.
• Collaborate with project teams, SMEs, and vendors to translate requirements into feasible technical solutions.

Skills

Architecture design

Cross-functional communication

SaaS & cloud

Microservices

Agile SDLC

Business analysis basics

Project management concepts

Technical debt management

GDPR & ISO27001 understanding

Oral and written communication

Leadership skills

Ambiguity tolerance

Education

ITIL / TOGAF / Azure certifications

Job description

Solution Architect - Clara Technology & Solutions - Senior Manager

Location: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham, Reading, South Coast - Southampton, Watford, UK

Capability: Audit

Experience Level: Senior Manager

Type: Full Time

Business Area: Audit Centre of Excellence (ACE)

Contract type: Permanent

Grade: B

Job Title: Solution Architect

Team: Clara Technology & Solutions

Service line: Audit Central

KPMG Audit Clara Technology & Solutions builds technology solutions in close collaboration with the Audit function. The team blends audit expertise with technology capability to understand the challenges auditors face and develop strategically important products that simplify delivery while enhancing Audit Quality.

The Solution Architect will design and guide secure, scalable and future‑ready solutions for audit technology services. The role will work with audit business teams, architects, technology teams, delivery teams and vendors to shape architectures that deliver measurable value and remain robust, maintainable and aligned to KPMG technology policies and standards.

As a trusted advisor, the Solution Architect will help resolve complex delivery and design challenges, support teams to deliver with confidence, and contribute to a growing portfolio of audit technology products and services.

Description of the role:

The Role

The Solution Architect is responsible for defining end‑to‑end solution architectures across audit technology initiatives. The role combines business understanding, technical breadth, architecture governance and delivery support to ensure solutions are feasible, secure, scalable and aligned to strategic and operational needs.

The role requires strong knowledge of wider technology trends and the KPMG technology ecosystem, including application, integration, data, technology and security architecture. The Solution Architect will build conceptual and detailed solution architecture designs, support governance and assurance processes, and work closely with project teams to translate business requirements into practical technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Define end-to-end solution architectures for audit technology projects and portfolio initiatives.
• Create and develop conceptual and detailed solution architecture design documents.
• Ensure solutions are secure, scalable, robust, maintainable and future‑ready.
• Apply architecture best practice across application, integration, data, technology and security domains.

Business and Technology Translation

• Work with other architects, technical SMEs and project teams to analyse business requirements and translate them into feasible technical requirements.
• Shape solution options that meet business needs while aligning with architecture principles, delivery constraints and technology standards.
• Explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences in a way that is relevant, easy to consume and compelling.

Governance, Standards and Assurance

• Ensure alignment with the Firm’s technology policies, architecture standards and delivery governance expectations.
• Contribute to governance processes where applicable, including helping projects navigate the Technology Assurance Process.
• Champion architectural quality and help ensure architectural guidelines and best practices are followed during the development and implementation of technology initiatives.
• Support the identification and management of technical debt, including its causes, measurement and remediation options such as decommissioning.

Technology Strategy and Market Awareness

• Maintain a high level of technical knowledge, including current, emerging and future technology market trends and their impact on the business.
• Assess emerging technologies and identify opportunities to improve audit technology services and delivery outcomes.
• Apply knowledge of SaaS, cloud hosting, integration technologies, cloud computing platforms, microservices architecture and modern development practices.

Delivery Support and Risk Management

• Work closely with the Audit Lead Architect, development teams, other architects and third‑party suppliers.
• Identify business and project risks and mitigate or communicate them as necessary.
• Ensure progress updates are communicated to relevant parties both formally and informally.
• Carry out additional duties as may occur from time to time as instructed and agreed by leadership.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• Develop relationships across KPMG business and technology functions.
• Use stakeholder management skills to ensure end‑to‑end solutions are designed and developed to meet requirements and best‑practice standards.
• Leverage internal networks across KPMG to access additional expertise where required.
• Due to the nature of the position, you may be working at or visiting a client site and/or other KPMG offices.

Person

Experience and knowledge requirements

• Experience in Solution Architecture roles.
• Strong all‑round competence across application, integration, data, technology and security architecture.
• Good understanding of SaaS, cloud hosting and integration technologies.
• Knowledge of cloud computing platforms, microservices architecture and modern development practices.
• Business‑focused approach, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and business stakeholders.
• Experience working with Agile SDLC methods.
• Understanding common business analysis techniques and approaches.
• Good understanding of project management concepts, including plans, risks, assumptions and dependencies.
• Good understanding of technical debt, including its causes, how to measure it and remedial actions including decommissioning.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good interpersonal and leadership skills.
• Ability to work with ambiguity at the beginning of projects and provide clarity of direction.
• Practical understanding of GDPR and ISO 27001 is desirable.

Behavioural Attributes and Skills

• Trusted advisor mindset, able to guide teams through complex architecture and delivery challenges.
• Collaborative working style with the ability to operate across audit business teams, architects, engineers, delivery teams and third‑party suppliers.
• Pragmatic and delivery‑focused, balancing architecture quality with project constraints and business outcomes.
• Clear and confident communicator able to engage both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Proactive approach to risk identification, governance support and continuous improvement.
• Curiosity and commitment to staying current with technology trends and their relevance to audit technology delivery.

Qualifications

• Relevant certifications such as ITIL, TOGAF and Microsoft Certified: Azure Solution Architect are beneficial but not required.

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