Solution Architect (Cloud & Data Platforms)

Ports North; Remote; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading investment management firm seeks an experienced Senior Solution Architect (Cloud & Data Platforms) to lead the architecture of a modern cloud-based data platform. The role involves defining solution architecture, engaging with stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with standards. Candidates should have at least 10 years of experience in financial services and a strong technical background in AWS, Databricks, and Snowflake. This position is remote, with occasional site visits for critical meetings.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience as a Senior Solution Architect.
• Experience in investment or financial services environments.
• Proven ability in leading architecture through full delivery lifecycles.

Responsibilities

• Define and own end-to-end solution architecture.
• Build proofs of concept when required.
• Translate investment business requirements into technical solutions.
• Produce high-quality architectural artifacts.

Skills

Databricks

AWS

Snowflake

Backend engineering

Cloud-native architecture

Design patterns

Data engineering

Engineering-first mindset

Job description

Role Overview

Title: Senior Solution Architect (Cloud & Data Platforms)

Programme: Multi-year Data & Analytics Transformation

Client Environment: Global investment management

Contract: 6 months, with extensions over multi-year programme. Outside IR35

Pay rate: £800+ per day, to be discussed

This position is Remote working, with some likely occasional trips to site for critical meetings / workshops etc.

This role is a hands‑on senior Solution Architect acting as the technical and design authority for a modern cloud‑based data platform, with Databricks at the core. The architect bridges investment business needs, data engineering, and platform architecture, setting standards others must follow.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture & Design Authority

• Define and own end‑to‑end solution architecture across:
• Establish design patterns, reference architectures, and templates
• Ensure architectural consistency across multiple squads and pods

Hands‑On Technical Leadership

• Build proofs of concept (POCs) when required
• Get hands‑on with code and configuration to unblock teams
• Review and assure quality of engineering outputs

Cloud & Platform Architecture

• Own architecture decisions on AWS, including:
  • Networking (VPCs)
  • Security
  • Performance and scalability
  • Reliability and cost considerations
• Ensure solutions align with SDLC, security, compliance, and audit requirements

Business & Stakeholder Engagement

• Translate investment business requirements into technical solutions
• Challenge both business and technology assumptions where needed
• Act as the front‑facing technical representative to:
  • Security architects
  • Infrastructure teams
  • Compliance and audit
  • Senior technology leadership

Governance & Delivery Enablement

• Produce high‑quality architectural artefacts:
  • Architecture diagrams
  • Design decisions and trade‑offs
  • Non‑functional requirements
• Ensure solutions meet risk management and regulatory expectations

Required Domain Knowledge (Must‑Have)

Candidates must have experience in investment or financial services environments

Technical Requirements

Core Stack (Strong Preference)

• Databricks (Lakehouse architecture, design patterns)
• AWS (deep understanding of cloud‑native architecture)
• Snowflake (integration patterns, data sharing)

Engineering Background (Critical)

• Strong backend / platform engineering heritage
• Comfortable designing and reviewing:
  • Data pipelines
  • Cloud‑native services
  • Scalable distributed systems
• Understands SDLC, DevOps, CI/CD, and release governance

Experience Profile

• Senior Solution Architect (typically 10+ years experience)
• Proven experience owning architecture for enterprise‑scale platforms
• Has led architecture through full delivery lifecycles
• Experienced working in regulated and audited environments

Behavioural & Mindset Expectations

• Strong engineering‑first mindset
• Pragmatic and conservative in technology choices
• Confident challenging "latest and greatest" trends

Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com