Solution Architect Tech Lead x2

Cambridge; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university in the UK is seeking a Solution Architect Tech Lead to guide the technical direction and strategy for a portfolio of services. You will work within a collaborative environment, mentoring teams to achieve technical excellence while addressing challenges in system integration. Candidates with a degree and TOGAF certification are encouraged to apply. The role offers flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.

Qualifications

• Exceptional interpersonal skills for translating technical concepts into clear language.
• Experience in defining approaches for system integration and automation.
• Capability to design bespoke solutions aligning with business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Shaping technical direction and technology strategy for services/products.
• Mentoring Tech Leads, fostering technical excellence and collaboration.
• Working closely with stakeholders to address their needs and concerns.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Technical leadership

System integration

Stakeholder influence

Education

Degree level/ Level 6 vocational qualification

TOGAF 9 certification

Job description

University Information Services (UIS) is the central engine delivering the digital services, IT infrastructure, business information, and powerful research computing services at the core of the University of Cambridge, a globally recognized institution.

The University has a bold, collaborative ambition to evolve its digital business, education, and research services, and the UIS team is driving this exciting transformation.

Why Join Us?

Strategic Impact:

Digital excellence is a key priority for University leadership, ensuring Cambridge maintains its world‑leading status. You will be instrumental in deploying modern digital ways of working that enhance our global reputation for excellence in research, teaching, and learning.

This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to collaborate and interact with some of the finest minds in the world. You will share data, insight, and expertise to make a meaningful, direct difference to the success and mission of the University.

Modern Delivery:

We work in multi‑disciplinary teams, primarily leveraging Agile methodology, to effectively manage and deliver a complex portfolio of services, projects, and programmes.

Our Scale and Scope:

We support a vast (30,000+) user base, including students, academics, and external partners.

Critical Infrastructure:

Our assets include one of the most powerful research computing facilities in the UK and a massive 90‑kilometre fibre network spanning the Cambridge city area.

Investment:

UIS operates with an annual budget of approximately £40 million, complemented by significant capital investments, underscoring the University's commitment to technology.

Community Building:

The CIO's team actively collaborates with IT and digital staff across all departmental teams, fostering a strong digital community of practice and specialist networks across Cambridge.

Be part of the team shaping the digital landscape of one of the world's most influential universities.

About the Role:

Reporting to the Chief Architect in UIS, the Solution Architect Tech Leads are responsible for shaping the overall technical direction and technology strategy of a portfolio of related services or products.

Each of the Solution Architect Tech Leads works alongside the Product and Delivery Leads in the "three amigos" model to provide high‑level technical leadership and works closely with enterprise architecture and other stakeholders to drive innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement across the portfolio. They will mentor and work very closely with service Tech Leads, fostering a culture of technical excellence and forward‑thinking.

Specifically, these roles require exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, non‑technical language tailored to varied audiences. Equally vital is the proven capability to design bespoke solutions that precisely align with business objectives and to influence stakeholders effectively by addressing their specific needs and concerns. Although the role does not have any direct line management responsibility over the software development and other specialists who lead each service team in the portfolio, the Tech Lead has a dotted‑line leadership over the work of different teams and considerable responsibility for what these teams deliver and how they all work together. A key element of these roles is the ability to lead and influence teams and specialists across the organisation.

Demonstrable experience of defining, at solution level, approaches to system integration and automation would be highly valued, as there is an immediate need to address challenges in this area of the architecture.

The role requires education to degree level/ Level 6 vocational qualification or equivalent level of practical experience and TOGAF 9 (or later) certification.

We welcome applications from individuals who wish to be considered for part‑time working or other flexible working arrangements.

We particularly welcome applications from women and candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under‑represented at this level in our institution.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

This is one of a number of roles currently being recruited to on a rolling basis: the University will assess applications weekly throughout the advertised period and reserves the right to close the role, ahead of the closing date, once suitable candidates have been recruited.

Please quote reference VC48222 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.