Solutions Architect | Transforming Higher Education

iO Associates; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

iO Associates is seeking a Solutions Architect for higher education transformations in Manchester or Bristol. The role is hybrid and permanent, working across multiple universities to shape and deliver end-to-end student systems changes.

You will understand student lifecycles, challenge technical teams, and influence programme outcomes without coding duties. Travel to client sites will be required as needed.

Qualifications

• Higher education knowledge and understanding of student lifecycle.
• Experience with university student information systems and related processes.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and explain complex concepts.

Responsibilities

• Define the overall solution architecture across student systems transformation.
• Engage with senior stakeholders, delivery teams and vendors to shape the solution.
• Mentor colleagues and grow capability within the team.
• Travel to client sites as required.

Skills

Higher Ed exp

Student systems

Stakeholder mgmt

Architecture basics

Tools

SITS

Banner

Ellucian

Job description

Solutions Architect | Transforming Higher Education

Manchester or Bristol | Hybrid | Permanent

Know student systems inside out, but ready to influence more than just the system?

I'm working exclusively with a growing specialist consultancy delivering major student systems transformation programmes across UK Higher Education.

They're looking for someone who understands how a university actually works, how the student lifecycle fits together, and how technology can support it.

This isn't a role where you'll look after one system or spend every day configuring it.

You could be helping one university transition to a new student records platform, another tackle technical debt, and another understand how changes across enrolment, finance, integrations, data and reporting need to come together as one coherent solution.

You'll sit between technology, transformation and the university, working with senior stakeholders, delivery teams, technical specialists and technology vendors to shape the overall solution.

You don't need to be writing code.

You do need enough technical understanding to ask the right questions, challenge technical teams and understand how the different pieces fit together.

What they're looking for

Higher Education experience is essential, alongside a strong understanding of student systems and the wider student lifecycle.

You could currently be a Solution Architect, Business Solutions Architect, Student Systems Architect or Senior Consultant, or have progressed into architecture from a more hands-on student systems background.

Experience with SITS, Banner, Ellucian or other major student information systems is valuable, but they're much more interested in your understanding of the wider landscape than expertise in one particular product.

You'll also have experience delivering within major transformation programmes or consulting environments.

Why consider it?

The opportunity here is bigger than joining another project.

Student systems transformation is a core area for the consultancy, and they want this person to help shape and grow the capability, influence how future programmes are delivered and mentor others within the team.

So if you've reached the point where you want more variety, more influence and less chance of being pigeonholed into one system or specialism, this could be a really interesting next move.

The role is hybrid, based around Manchester or Bristol, alongside client travel when required.