Technical Architect (Solutions Design)

Durham University; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An esteemed educational institution in the United Kingdom is seeking a Technical Architect to join its Computing and Information Services. The role involves designing and implementing enterprise-level IT services, with a focus on collaboration within a hybrid working environment. Applicants should have strong communication skills, relevant experience, and a commitment to professional development. The position offers a competitive salary and numerous benefits, including generous leave and professional growth opportunities.

Benefits

30 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Health and wellbeing support

Discounted gym membership

Flexible work arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience of delivering and developing specialist IT service provision.
• Experience of implementing policies and procedures.
• Demonstrable evidence of leading technical projects.

Responsibilities

• Design, configuration, and support of new solutions across technical areas.
• Deliver and develop enterprise-level IT services and solutions.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and organizational policy.

Skills

Self-motivated

Excellent communication

Organizational skills

Digital competence

Problem-solving ability

Education

Educated to degree level or equivalent experience

Tools

ITIL Foundation Qualification

Project Management Qualification

Job description

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long‑term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on [e-mail].

Job Description – Technical Architect (Solutions Design)

Job Number: 26000006

Computing and Information Services – Open‑Ended/Permanent, Full Time.

Closing Date

12-Feb-2026, 11:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Not Applicable.

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? – Information Page.

The Role and the Department

Computing and Information Services (CIS) is the central IT support service for Durham University. CIS works with departments across the university to provide academic, teaching and administrative services that underpin the day‑to‑day activities of the whole organisation. Details of the Digital Strategy and ongoing work can be found in our Digital Strategy.

CIS is a friendly, but demanding department, where much is expected and can be achieved by competent, self‑motivated individuals who demonstrate team work ability. The department works in a hybrid (remote and on‑site) capacity with on‑site attendance being required as and when the demands of the business require.

This role is within the Infrastructure section; which has responsibility for Data Storage, Servers, Cloud, Virtualisation, Operating Systems, Networking, End User Compute and Physical Datacentres within CIS. The successful candidate will be responsible for design, configuration and support of new solutions and existing services across these technical areas.

To be successful in this role you should have experience of designing, implementing and supporting enterprise‑level IT services and solutions and be able to demonstrate excellent communication and organisational skills. You should have demonstrable evidence of leading technical projects at an enterprise scale.

The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House – Durham University.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

• You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost‑effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand‑new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
• We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• We provide wide‑ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state‑of‑the‑art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24‑7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• Our on‑site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5‑16.
• Our family‑friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
• Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest‑free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under‑represented in our workforce including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Person Specification – What you need to demonstrate when you apply

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criterion has an asterisk * next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Qualifications / Experience

• Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
• Professional practitioner with specialist knowledge and expertise to influence service delivery and activities within the organisation.
• Experience of participating in networks to share and discuss good practice and develop strong and productive working relationships.
• Experience of delivering and developing specialist IT service provision.
• * Experience of delivering major infrastructure projects involving multi‑agency working within an educational, commercial or industrial environment.
• * Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
• Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements.

Skills / Abilities / Knowledge

• Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
• * Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including a wide range of software solutions, operating systems, networking, database and data transfer protocols.
• * Experience of designing and implementing complex IT solutions in an enterprise organisation.
• Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
• Professional knowledge and experience of compliance and regulations.
• * Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
• Knowledge and experience of health and safety issues and compliance.
• Extensive knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.
• Ability to contribute to planning at operational and strategic levels.
• * ITIL Foundation Qualification.
• * Project Management Qualification.

How to apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e‑recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What you need to submit

• A CV.
• A supporting statement which outlines how you meet the criteria within the Person Specification.
• Two case studies to demonstrate how they meet the essential criteria.

Contact details

For a chat about the role or any further information please contact David Griffith [e-mail].

Typical Role Requirements – Service Delivery / Development

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
• Develop and promote an in‑depth understanding of University policy and external developments relevant to your role.
• Ensure that policy and regulatory standards are met by activities and processes that are carried out in services you are responsible for.
• Use your professional knowledge and experience as an Technical Expert to resolve problems, shape processes and activities, develop systems and provide subject‑matter expertise and advice.
• Provide specialist advice on the analysis and interpretation of complex data and information relevant to your area.
• Look for ways to continually improve services and take a lead role in the development and implementation of assigned policies, processes and standards.
• Instigate and manage business process reviews to improve the service in your area.
• Ensure data (commercially sensitive and/or personal) is appropriately stored and managed.

Planning and Organisation

• Contribute to the development of operational and strategic‑level plans relevant to your area.
• Scope, plan and implement large‑scale/University‑wide initiatives.
• Lead and manage major projects across the organisation, monitoring performance, providing progress reports and taking action to ensure agreed outcomes are met.
• Provide oversight for short‑term/temporary project teams.
• Assign activities within agreed operational and strategic plans to relevant project teams for them to deliver.
• Ensure that projects deliver agreed objectives while solving any problems which are encountered.
• Lead the design and implementation of transformative service developments.
• Source, design and implement solutions critical to service delivery.
• Research IT trends to determine the implications and opportunities to change how services are delivered in your area.
• Manage and monitor health and safety assessments and security procedures to ensure compliance.
• Allocate and monitor designated budgets, expenditure and resources.
• Influence University policy and standards by leading operational business meetings, working groups and sub‑committees.
• Provide professional guidance and advice when managing specialist services.
• Build and establish contacts and networks with key stakeholders, internal and external staff, suppliers, contractors and industry specialists.
• Design and deliver training to your stakeholders to support their development and information needs.
• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills, swap information with peers and positively influence the University’s reputation.
• Represent the service and the University at promotional events.
• Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices – Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Closing Statement – Equity and Accessibility

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long‑term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.

We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on [e-mail].