Solution Architect

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.
Solution Architect
Permanent
Manchester: £73,600 - £85,800
Milton Keynes: £76,700 - £89,300
Hybrid working - a minimum of 2 days per week in the office
Shape the future of technology at AQA
Are you a solution architect who enjoys turning complex business needs into practical, scalable technology solutions?
At AQA, you'll have the opportunity to influence enterprise-wide technology decisions, shape strategic direction and help deliver innovative solutions that support learners, educators and assessment services across the UK. Working across a diverse and evolving technology landscape, you'll play a pivotal role in driving long-term business value through scalable, secure and future-focused solutions.
Purpose of the Role
As a Solution Architect within our Enterprise Architecture team, you'll work at the heart of business and technology transformation. Collaborating with stakeholders across the organisation, you'll translate complex business needs into practical, effective solutions, providing architectural leadership from concept through to delivery.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence how technology evolves at AQA, balancing innovation with governance and ensuring that technology investments support both current priorities and future ambitions.
You'll play a leading role in shaping and guiding technology solutions across the organisation by:
Designing and governing solutions that meet business requirements while aligning with architectural standards, strategic objectives and delivery priorities.
Providing expert architectural leadership and advice to stakeholders, project teams and technology colleagues, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure and fit for purpose.
Driving architecture governance and continuous improvement through technology roadmaps, horizon scanning, standards development and adherence to enterprise architecture principles.
Why join us?
This role offers the chance to make a genuine impact on AQA's technology strategy while developing your expertise within a broad and evolving enterprise environment.
You'll have the opportunity to:
Influence strategic technology decisions and contribute to major business and transformation initiatives.
Work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders across enterprise, assessment and group technology teams.
Develop your professional capability through complex architecture challenges and emerging technology opportunities.
Enjoy a 35-hour working week alongside flexible, hybrid working.
Benefit from 25 days' annual leave, rising to 30 days, plus Christmas closure days.
Access a comprehensive benefits package including up to 11.5% pension contribution, BUPA healthcare support, wellbeing programmes and volunteering opportunities.
You'll thrive in this role if you have:
Proven experience as a Solution Architect with a strong track record of delivering technology solutions within complex enterprise environments.
Demonstrable knowledge of enterprise architecture, cloud platforms, integration approaches and modern technology frameworks, including experience working across applications, infrastructure and data environments.
The ability to communicate and influence effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders at all levels.
Experience balancing strategic thinking with practical delivery, helping organisations modernise technology while managing legacy environments and operational realities.
A problem-solving mindset, focused on continuous improvement, collaboration and delivering positive business outcomes.
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion
At AQA, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong and can do their best work. We value the different perspectives, experiences and backgrounds our people bring, knowing they strengthen our culture, decision-making and impact. We foster an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect, has access to opportunities to grow and contribute, and feels able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
What's Next?
To apply, please submit your CV and Cover Letter.
Application deadline: Thursday 24th September
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Full Job Description
Summary
Purpose:
In your role as Solution Architect you will operate within the (Enterprise Technology) Enterprise Architecture team working closely with the Enterprise Architect. You will lead on the delivery of Solutions Architecture services, designing and ensuring delivery of IT solutions that meet business requirements.
You will provide solution architecture consultancy support to colleagues and business stakeholders, providing effective and pragmatic advice, guidance, direction and architectural liaison between technology and business stakeholders shaping and guiding solution delivery in the drive to deliver proportionate and effective solutions that meet desired business outcomes.
You will deliver a solution architecture service and approach that positively influences and evolves the information technology landscape across both Enterprise and Assessment technology areas of the business, providing overarching architectural oversight and compliance assurance.
You will support the delivery of effective architectural strategies within Enterprise Technology that promote proportionate and effective solutions and will engage with key stakeholders across Assessment Technology and (where appropriate) wider group entities to ensure alignment and oversight of approaches.
You will maintain and apply high levels of technology knowledge and architectural expertise in the production of architectural designs and approaches ensuring attainment of business objectives whilst balancing deliverability, architectural principles and alignment to the wider AQA strategy and objectives.
You will establish, lead on and champion coherent corporate wide architecture model(s) and standards where appropriate, taking ownership of, and resolving (or escalating), related issues or concerns you identify.
You will design, implement, guide and support the delivery of technology solutions to address business requirements and liaise between technology / business stakeholders, peers and colleagues both within the team and across the wider business.
You will maintain and apply a high level of technology design knowledge in the production of solution architecture designs and solutions and demonstrate appropriately commensurate levels of knowledge and expertise across other related architectural areas.Landscape:
The Enterprise Technology Division sits within the Corporate Services Division, enabling the centralised delivery of core corporate services. In addition, Enterprise Technology operates in close partnership with Assessment Technology and Programme Management, collectively delivering the full IT service portfolio of current operations to future change programmes.
Enterprise Technology consists of the following functions:
Service Delivery
Enterprise IT Services (Core IT Delivery teams - desktop, systems & infrastructure)
Enterprise Applications
Architecture & Security
Architecture & Security consists of:
Architecture (including Enterprise oversight)
Security & Risk
Security Operations (including Security Operations Centre)
Data Protection & Compliance
The Architecture team compromises of 5 team members delivering into the roles of:
Enterprise Architect
Information Architect
Solution Architect(s)
Due to the nature of the role and function, stakeholder engagement with colleagues / teams within other AQA UK locations may be required.
Key relationships
Key internal (AQA Education and AQA Milton Keynes) relationships
Enterprise Technology functions
AQA Assessment Technology architecture and development teams
AQA Education business functions
Key external relationships
Third party technology providers
Relevant third-party providers
Other teams within the AQA Group (e.g. AlphaPlus and Doublestruck)
Activities:
To maintain the required knowledge and expertise in the following architectural areas and take the lead in the area of Solution Architecture, supporting colleagues in delivery across the areas of Solution and Domain Architecture in the fulfilment of business requirements and delivery of Enterprise Technology priorities.Business Architecture
Information/Data Architecture
Application Architecture
Technology Architecture
Develop, take ownership of, and maintain policies, procedures, guidance and standards that make up the IT Strategy & Enterprise Architecture management sys