Solutions Architect

Chartered Insurance Institute; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

The Solutions Architect role at Chartered Insurance Institute Group focuses on designing and implementing robust, scalable architectures that align with enterprise strategy and Microsoft reference models. You will lead Dynamics 365 initiatives, promote low-code governance, and oversee secure integrations across enterprise systems.

You will provide hands-on leadership to development teams, guide Azure DevOps practices, and ensure architectures meet security and regulatory standards while driving

Qualifications

• 5–10 years of experience as a Solution Architect or similar role.
• Background in software design, development, and system integration.
• Experience within the Institute's sector or similar regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Define and own end-to-end architectures for complex change initiatives across multiple workstreams.
• Align target and transition architectures to enterprise strategy and Microsoft reference models.
• Act as architectural design authority for consistency, reusability, and long-term sustainability.
• Lead architecture for Microsoft Dynamics 365 and ensure alignment with processes and data models.
• Champion Power Platform with governance, security, and lifecycle management.
• Design secure integration patterns using APIs, microservices, and Azure services.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership to development teams; oversee CI/CD with ADO.
• Define guardrails and standards to enable autonomy without fragmentation.
• Embed security and privacy by design; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Communicate complex concepts to senior stakeholders; facilitate decision forums.
• Drive innovation using Microsoft-first platforms and rapid prototyping while maintaining governance.

Skills

Microsoft Azure

Software development background

Security & regulatory compliance

Low-code / No-code governance

Tools

Azure DevOps

Power Platform

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Azure Integration Services

APIs & Microservices

CI/CD pipelines

Job description

Your Role

The mission of the Solutions Architect is to design and implement innovative technology solutions that drive the Institute's strategic goals and enhance business performance. By leveraging a deep understanding of the Institute's objectives and the latest technological advancements, the Solutions Architect will create robust, scalable, and secure architectures that meet the evolving needs of the organisation.

Hybrid, London - City

Full time, Permanent

Salary: £90,000

Key Responsibilities

Solution Architecture and Strategy

• Define and own end-to-end solution architectures for complex change initiatives spanning multiple workstreams, systems, and delivery partners.
• Establish and maintain target, transitional, and solution architectures aligned to enterprise strategy and Microsoft reference architectures.
• Act as the architectural design authority, ensuring consistency, reusability, scalability, and long-term sustainability of solutions.

Microsoft Dynamics & Platform Strategy

• Lead architecture for Microsoft Dynamics 365 as the primary enterprise platform, ensuring alignment with business processes, data models, and integration patterns.
• Champion low-code/no-code approaches (Power Platform) while maintaining appropriate governance, security, and lifecycle management.
• Balance platform configuration with extensibility, minimising custom code and avoiding future lock-in or technical debt.

Integration & Systems Decommissioning

• Design and assure complex integration architectures enabling secure, resilient data flow across enterprise and third-party systems.
• Lead legacy system and custom code decommissioning strategies, ensuring continuity of service, data integrity, and controlled risk reduction.
• Define integration patterns using APIs, microservices, event-driven architectures, and Azure-native services.

Technical Leadership & Delivery Enablement

• Provide hands‑on technical leadership and mentorship to development teams across internal and supplier organisations.
• Guide teams on Azure DevOps (ADO) usage, including architectural alignment with CI/CD pipelines, branching strategies, environments, and release management.
• Ensure architectural intent is translated into buildable, testable, and operable solutions.

Multi‑Supplier & MSP Governance

• Operate effectively within complex multi‑MSP delivery models, ensuring architectural clarity across suppliers.
• Mediate between vendors, internal teams, and stakeholders to resolve design conflicts and delivery risks.
• Define architectural guardrails, standards, and decision frameworks to enable autonomy without fragmentation.

Security, Risk & Compliance

• Embed security‑by‑design and privacy‑by‑design principles across all solution architectures.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory, data protection, and Institute security standards.
• Collaborate with cyber security and risk functions to address threats, vulnerabilities, and assurance requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non‑technical audiences, including senior leaders and business stakeholders.
• Facilitate architectural decision‑making forums, presenting options, trade‑offs, and recommendations.
• Act as a trusted mediator and problem solver in high‑pressure, high‑visibility situations.

Innovation

• Shapes and drives innovative solution designs by leveraging Microsoft‑first platforms, low‑code/no‑code capabilities, and emerging technologies to deliver scalable, futureready architectures that balance experimentation with enterprise‑grade governance.
• Translates strategic innovation objectives into actionable, buildable architectures, enabling rapid prototyping, accelerated delivery, and measurable business value across complex, multi‑year change portfolios.
• Acts as a trusted architectural authority and catalyst for innovation, influencing senior stakeholders, guiding delivery teams, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement through clear decision‑making and pragmatic problem solving.

Key Requirements

Domain Required Expertise

• Cloud & Platforms: Microsoft Azure (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS), Azure Integration Services Enterprise Applications Microsoft Dynamics 365 (Customer Engagement, Power Platform)
• Development Background: Strong prior experience as a software developer
• Integration: APIs, microservices, event-driven architectures, data integration patterns
• DevOps: Azure DevOps (ADO), CI/CD pipelines, environment and release strategies
• Architecture: Enterprise, solution, and integration architecture
• Security: Security best practices, identity, access management, regulatory compliance
• Low‑Code / No‑Code: Power Apps, Power Automate, governance and lifecycle management

Experience

• Proven Experience: 5-10 years of experience as a Solution Architect, Software Architect, or Technical Architect.
• A background in software design / development and system integration.
• Industry Experience: Experience working within the specific industry of the Institute, understanding its unique challenges and requirements.

Interview Process

We understand that taking time to prepare for and to attend interviews is a big commitment and want the process to be as transparent as possible.

• A short, introductory phone call from our Talent Acquisition Advisor.
• A formal and technical interview with the hiring manager via Teams.

Application Deadline

We will review applications on a rolling basis and the position will close once we have secured a shortlist.

We are an inclusive employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.

If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. We are committed to ensuring all candidates have equal access and opportunity, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Please note: At the CII, we work with a carefully selected Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for recruitment. We do not accept speculative CVs and kindly request that agency recruiters do not contact our managers directly, to ensure a consistent and properly coordinated recruitment process. If you are interested in working with us in the future, please contact [e-mail]. We review our PSL at set intervals and are happy to retain details for consideration when opportunities arise.

Agencies who do not follow this process will be excluded from any future opportunities to work with us, including PSL reviews.