Strategic Bids Architect

La Fosse; Hook; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology solutions firm in the United Kingdom is seeking a Strategic Bids Architect to develop technology solutions for large-scale bids. The role involves working closely with various teams to ensure proposals are compelling and cost-effective. Key responsibilities include leading solution development, providing systems engineering support, and communicating technical strategies to stakeholders. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of IT needs, innovative problem-solving skills, and the ability to manage relationships under pressure.

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain security clearance.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and Europe as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead technology solution development for strategic bids.
• Provide systems engineering support ensuring requirements flow to partners.
• Act as Design Authority for technology elements delivered by partners.
• Offer architectural guidance to senior architects.
• Communicate technical issues and solution strategies to stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with solution architecture.

Skills

Strong understanding of IT needs

Analytical and logical approach

Strong interpersonal skills

Ability to convey complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders

Job description

Overview

The Strategic Bids Architect is responsible for shaping technology solutions for large-scale strategic bids, ensuring proposals align with standard architectures and deliver a compelling, cost-effective proposition. This role involves close collaboration with growth teams to address digital and technology requirements early in the bid process, including partner and supplier selection and governance. The position requires a strong understanding of IT needs and the broader impact of proposed technologies on bid success and contract profitability.

This role sits within the Digital & Technology Services function and reports to the Enterprise Technology Officer. It involves significant interaction with:

• Enterprise Architects for overall architecture development and governance.
• Solution Architects for bid and project solution design.
• Delivery Partners to understand bid pipelines and ongoing projects.
• Service Partners to capture lessons learned from deployed solutions.
• Growth teams to align with strategic account direction and pipeline.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead technology solution development for strategic bids, ensuring affordability, competitiveness, and alignment with enterprise architecture and IT strategy.
• Provide systems engineering support, ensuring requirements flow down to technology partners and vendors.
• Act as Design Authority for technology elements delivered by partners and suppliers.
• Offer architectural guidance to senior architects and technical teams to ensure solutions align with sector roadmaps.
• Support account management activities by maintaining visibility of digital and technology roadmaps for strategic accounts.
• Communicate technical issues and solution strategies clearly to stakeholders.
• Ensure solution designs meet business needs and align with sector roadmaps.
• Review vendor proposals for quality, compliance, and alignment with architecture standards.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with solution architecture on strategic bids.
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture frameworks and systems engineering approaches.
• Innovative, analytical, and logical approach to challenges.
• Ability to convey complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Up-to-date with emerging technologies; adaptable in planning and decision-making.
• Acting as design authority, managing vendor relationships, and applying architectural best practices.
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to build relationships, gather information, and work under pressure.
• Knowledge of quality standards, legislation, and best practices.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to obtain security clearance.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and Europe as required.