Solution Architect

Job Description

Job Title : Solutions Architect

This is an Architectural role within Consumer Applications accountable for the solution architecture and providing architectural governance across Solutions Delivery. This is a manager level role which is expected to lead Solutions in the ecosystem.

Provide the leadership to bring together business, application, infrastructure and data requirements into a single view of solutions options and recommendations.

Design solutions in a phased manner in an Agile environment, come up with just in time design and factor in design refactoring as a part of the Agile design methodology.

Understand and manage stakeholder expectations at a senior and executive level.

Provide clear choices and recommendations that enable both business and technical decision making. Responsible for the stakeholder engagement of internal and external parties with regard to architecture decisions and their implications.

Provide credible technical knowledge and insight to stakeholders and if needed to external customers. May be responsible for delivering presentations to key external stakeholders and customers.

Through close partnership with Product and Strategy, understand and anticipate business needs and provide leadership and influence in the 'art of the possible'.

Responsible for driving the decision making process for technology choices including build versus buy and any subsequent purchases. Provide the architecture authority in the evaluation and selection of hardware and software product standards, as well as the design of standard configurations

Maintain an expert level of technical knowledge in the required technical areas and a broader specialist base as new technologies emerge. Support innovation and/or research and development initiatives as needed.

Project / Programme Delivery:

Define and ensure the architecture and design approach is appropriately planned and delivered against sprint timelines. Own the suitability of the activities and artefacts to ensure the approach is not under/over engineered. Clearly report progress against plans and escalate as needed.

Provide technical authority and governance across the lifetime of agreed projects.

Support the testing function in ensuring testing strategies are appropriate for the solution

Architecture Governance:

Responsible for identifying and documenting key architecture decisions and ensuring these are shared and agreed following Architecture Governance Group reviews.

Responsible for the development and maintenance an architecture overview for agreed product sets. Proactively build, maintain and share reference information regarding architecture artefacts and supporting information

Ensure the simplification and re-use of architecture elements within solutions

People:

Support the leadership of the team and department by setting a high performance benchmark and encouraging and inspiring excellence in the team

Lead by example and model the Zapp/Vocalink behaviours to the team and wider organization. Motivate, inspire and give clear direction.

Knowledge and expertise:

Essential:

Extensive IT experience in Java, Spring, Spring boot, SOA, Micro services, ESB and API Gateways, Cloud architecture, with significant experience in agile architectural roles.

Experience in the Payments or Cards Industry.

Experience of POS payment solutions or working with Mobile wallets.

Experience and use of, at least one recognized architecture framework or standard e.g. TOGAF, Zachman Framework.

Able to present and communicate complex architectural issues clearly and concisely with technical and non-technical audiences from senior stakeholders to project teams.

Experience of operating within a corporate architecture governance framework and standards

Experience working using Agile methodology

Excellent interpersonal skills including facilitation, negotiation, collaboration and influencing

Commercially and politically astute, able to see solutions in wider context of Zapp/Vocalink strategy and customer engagement Able to determine approaches to solve complex programme level requirements into leading technical teams to delivered the required architecture and design deliverables.

Knowledge and expertise (technical / role specific)

create a complete solution to a business requirement: application software, middleware, database, hardware, storage, network Understanding of solution trade-offs such as cost, scope, timescale, and balance between long-term strategic and short­term pragmatic considerations

Ability to work with domain and technology experts to develop solution from high level architecture to detailed design level -recognised as a subject matter expert

Desirable:

Experience architecting in scalable solution with containerization and service mesh

Experience of ISO standard messages e.g. ISO8583, ISO20022 Experience of one or more payments systems e.g. BACS, SEPA, SWIFT, LINK, FPS, Client.

Key competencies:

Teamwork

Commercial awareness

Career motivation

Decision making

Communication

Leadership

Results orientation

Problem Solving

Qualifications:

Degree level capability is indicated, but equivalent professional experience is acceptable.