Solution Architect

Solution Architect

Supported by Head of Solution Architecture

Location: we consider remote working for this position (UK only)

Role Purpose

The Solution Architects operate within the CTO function and take primary responsibility for the design and end to end solutions for projects and programmes delivered through the Tribes, aligned to the Enterprise Principles, Roadmaps and Vision. The Solution Architects will champion best practices, feed their depth of knowledge and expertise into the enterprise roadmaps, and offer coaching and consultancy to the Tribes. Solution Architects will also take part in the governance forums to ensure the ongoing conformity to the enterprise roadmaps.

The Solution Architect will provide the Tribes and large programmes with design support and consultancy for each delivery, will champion quality and sound data management, work with the senior developers, Tech Leads and Heads of Tech to ensure roadmap alignment, act as the bridge between the tribes and architecture, and ensure optimal use of enterprise assets.

Department Vision

Admiral IT has a long history of supporting the business to innovate and bring new products to market. The department completely refreshed the core policy administration systems in 2016 to allow the department and the business to continue to innovate further in the ever more digital marketplace. The department continues to build on top of and around the core systems to bring more innovation and technical excellence, including Cloud adoption, Big Data, machine learning and data analytics technologies and furthering our digital offerings with a focus on digital customer engagement.

Who are we looking for?

We take on many different roles within IT, but we consistently look for people who are: -

• Passionate about what they do
• A continual learner (forever inquisitive for self-improvement)
• Self-motivated, creative and highly disciplined
• Solutions driven
• Positive and a great team member
• Able to work with all levels of seniority across IT and the wider business

Requirements / Technologies

• Excellent communicator, verbally and written
• Track record of solving complex and exciting problems and challenges
• You will work with many technologies across all aspects of IT, but our core tech includes
  • Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform
  • Guidewire InsuranceSuite
  • Java, Spring, Angular
  • Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins, GitHub, SonarQube
  • Elastic, Redis, Oracle, SQL Server
  • vSphere, BigIP F5, JBoss, RHEL, Windows Server, MS Exchange, AD, Citrix
  • Terraform, Ansible
  • You will be expected to stay current in the technology domain through research
  • You will champion and oversee the design and implementation of best practices
  • You will continuously identify and promote innovative ways of using technology to maximise system benefit

Responsibilities

• To act as a lead in the development of fit for purpose solutions, ensuring end to end responsibility from how the users will be affected by the change, ensuring the correct technical choices (within the boundaries of the agreed enterprise assets), to ensuring the scale, performance, security and quality are designed in from the start.
• To work in tandem with the Enterprise Architects to understand the business goals and vision, and to contribute to the Enterprise Roadmaps.
• Producing documentation of a high-quality and to a detailed level. Also ensuring all Decision Points, Building Blocks, Design Principles, Design Rationale and all interdependencies are understood, documented and communicated across IT, where appropriate
• Proactively manage and address project risks and issues. Escalating high priority issues to management with suggested solutions
• Provide consultancy services to internal customers by offering technical guidance, and ensuring architecture principles, design standards and operational requirements are met.
• Act as a Coach and provide consultancy services and advice to senior developers, Tech Leads and Head of Tech.
• Ensuring delivery of projects on time and to budget, by adopting delivery-focussed Admiral working practices and methodologies.
• Maintain and comply with best standards and practices regarding both solution architecture deliverables and relevant governance frameworks. 
• Chair and actively promote the Technical Design Authority forums and act as an escalation point for wider Enterprise governance.
• Contribute to the architecture repository, using approved modelling tools and language.

Why work for us?

Admiral has many benefits, which you can see in the supplied brochure (Your Admiral Career), but further to that you will also benefit from

• Working with a top-class team
• Working on exciting challenges to maintain Admiral’s competitive advantage
• Be given the flexibility to work in the way that allows you to give your best
• Work in an open and accessible department

Salary, Benefits and Work-Life Balance

We do not have a set salary for this position, as it will be dependent on the successful candidate’s experience. We are happy to see CVs from all candidates who meet the requirements and will be happy to discuss the remuneration package.

At Admiral, we are proud to be a diverse business where we put our people and customers first. We have great benefits to ensure employees have a great work-life balance; it's one of the reasons we're voted no. 1 in the 2019 Sunday Times Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK. We want you to have an element of freedom to define a working lifestyle that supports this, so accommodate flexible hours wherever possible.

You can also view some of our other key benefits here; https://admiraljobs.co.uk/employee-benefits/.

If you think this role is for you and would like to be considered for this opportunity, please click “apply now” to complete an online application form.

#LI-LP1