Digital Infrastructure Solutions Architect

DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT

LOCATION: PUDSEY AND MANCHESTER

6 MONTHS

With a strong generalist background this resource should be able to display multichannel/community bank and telephony and ATM knowledge

EXPERIENCE OF DISTRIBUTED - X86 (INC VM, SQL) OR [PR] AIX

- Lead the design of solutions for large projects and programmes, through expert architectural skills translate high level business requirements into technology architectures that align to Divisional strategic architecture. Direct and control large specialist teams to undertake the delivery of a comprehensive design. Manage senior business stakeholders (band 1's and 2's) to secure strong engagement for the solution and ensure that the delivery of the project aligns to longer term strategic roadmaps for the division and Group IT. Work as part of the programme management team on large programmes, governing and shaping the delivery of projects. Work closely with external suppliers to ensure solution makes best use of technology and meets requirements.
- Simplify the existing architecture, delivering reusable services and cost saving opportunities in line with the policies and standards of the group.
- Lead collaborative working with other areas within Enterprise Architecture and Design to ensure that all solutions are complete, operable, conform to business processes and meet the business needs with the agreed quality of service.
- Responsible throughout the entire project life cycle for the end to end solution of the project.
- Provide clear, continuous and consistent solution architecture leadership at a detailed level within the project. Provide mentoring and coaching for architects across EAD.
- Ensure solutions are fit for purpose, meet the needs of business, the agreed requirements are both pragmatic & supportive of the Divisional strategic architecture direction.
- Lead and participate in the peer review and QA of project architectural artefacts across EAD through governance forums. Report key architecture decisions and implications to the Group architectural governance forums.
- Identify and communicate appropriate resource requirements and work breakdown structure based on skills profile and best fit to complete the end to end solution design, and ensure project plans and finances align with this working with the Project/Programme Manager & Divisional Practice Manager.
- Monitor technology developments to ensure that the group is effectively positioned to respond to and leverage opportunities that enhance competitive position through adoption of new practices or technologies. Maintain a forward looking perspective on emerging technology developments and their relevance to both Business and Technology Strategies.
- Participate from time to time in the supplier selection process, evaluating usefulness and cost of products and making appropriate recommendations.
- Expected to carry out core accountabilities with minimal level of supervision for complex tasks and no supervision for more routine matters.
- Has a comprehensive understanding of Solutions Architecture
- Uses appropriate tools, including logical models of components and interfaces, to contribute to the development of systems architectures in specific business or functional areas. Produces detailed component specifications and translates these into detailed designs for implementation using selected products. Within a business change programme, assists in the preparation of technical plans and cooperates with business assurance and project staff to ensure that appropriate technical resources are made available. Provides advice on technical aspects of system development and integration (including requests for changes, deviations from specifications, etc.) and ensures that relevant technical strategies, policies, standards and practices are applied correctly.
- Takes responsibility for planning sharing and publishing of solutions. Maintains and communicates the project/programme strategy. Devises and implements appropriate frameworks and document policies for projects/programmes.
- Provides well-informed advice, typically on more than one topic, taking steps to ensure that it is properly understood and appropriately exploited, to enhance the effectiveness of significant activities
- Maintains an in-depth knowledge of specific business and technical specialism's, and provides expert advice regarding their application. Can supervise specialist technical consultancy. The specialism can be any technical or business domain.
- Develops & manages relationships with key stakeholder groups. Initiates communications between stakeholders, acting as a single point of contact for defined groups. Facilitates open communication and discussion between stakeholders. Captures and disseminates technical and business information. Facilitates the business change decision-making processes, and the planning and implementation of change.
- Specifies and designs large or complex systems. Selects appropriate design standards, methods and tools, consistent with agreed enterprise and solution architectures and ensures they are applied effectively. Reviews others' systems designs to ensure selection of appropriate technology, efficient use of resources, and integration of multiple systems and technology. Contributes to policy for selection of architecture components. Evaluates and undertakes impact analysis on major design options and assesses and manages associated risks. Ensures that the system design balances functional, service quality and systems management requirements.