Solution Architect

**Solution Architect** (Contract)

Duration: 6 Months (Possibility for extension)

Location: Chester/Hybrid (3 days in office)

Rate: A highly competitive Umbrella day rate is available for suitable candidates

Job Profile

We are at the forefront of investment banking, providing cutting-edge technology strategies and solutions that align with our business objectives. Our focus is on managing architecture-related risks while adhering to established standards and principles. As a Solution Architect, you will have the opportunity to work across diverse domains, including Payments, Accounting Services, Liquidity Management, Receivables, Trade & Supply Chain Finance, and Commercial Card services.

Key Responsibilities:

• Architectural Vision: Define a clear architectural vision and solution architecture that aligns with both business and enterprise architecture strategies.
• Solution Intent: Describe the solution intent, the associated operating environment, and the primary systems/subsystems and their interfaces.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with stakeholders and vendors/service providers to ensure the solution is fit for purpose while evaluating the impact of strategic design decisions.
• Flexible Design: Lead the rapid shaping of high-level architecture, ensuring it is flexible, modular, and adaptable to emerging business requirements.
• Best Practises: Utilise established best practises and documentation to create robust architectural designs.
• Backlog Management: Work closely with the Product Manager/Owner to prioritise technology-focused backlog items for the architecture runway.
• Implementation Support: Provide clarity on the architecture to development teams, offering solution options to overcome any impediments.
• Design Reviews: Conduct design reviews to ensure all non-functional requirements (security, performance, maintainability, scalability, usability, and reliability) are met.

Skills & Experience:

• Domain Expertise: Strong knowledge of Payments, Accounting Services, Liquidity Management, Receivables, Trade & Supply Chain Finance, and Commercial Card domains.
• Performance Culture: Experience driving a shared service strategy and fostering a performance culture.
• Continuous Improvement: A commitment to best practises and continuous improvement of products, processes, and tools.
• Self-Starter: A motivated self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• IT Experience: Extensive IT experience in Banking/Financial Services Technology, with familiarity in SDLC (Waterfall/Agile).
• Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of engaging both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, problem-solving capabilities, and innovative mindset.
• Broad IT Knowledge: A comprehensive understanding of Financial Software, Middleware, and Databases.

Candidates will need to show evidence of the above in their CV in order to be considered.

If you feel you have the skills and experience and want to hear more about this role 'apply now' to declare your interest in this opportunity with our client. Your application will be observed by our dedicated team.

We will respond to all successful applicants ASAP however, please be advised that we will always look to contact you further from this time should we need further applicants or if other opportunities arise relevant to your skillset.

Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive.

As part of our standard hiring process to manage risk, please note background screening checks will be conducted on all hires before commencing employment.