Solution Architect reference: 0000028841

Barclays Seeks Visionary Solution Architects to Shape Digital Futures

Barclays is embarking on an exciting journey to redefine its digital landscape, and they are seeking talented Solution Architects to be at the forefront of this transformation. This is a unique opportunity to drive innovation, leverage cutting-edge technology, and craft unparalleled customer experiences within a globally recognized financial institution.

This role offers a compelling proposition for ambitious professionals looking to make a significant impact. You will be instrumental in evolving Barclays' digital offerings, ensuring they are not only robust and secure but also at the cutting edge of technological advancement. The position is based in either the Knutsford or Northampton office, providing a choice for candidates.

What's on Offer for Aspiring Solution Architects?

This opportunity is rich with advantages for career growth and professional development. Candidates will find:

• Impactful Role: Spearhead the evolution of a major digital landscape, directly influencing the future of customer experience and service delivery.
• Innovation Focus: Work with modern technologies and distributed systems, driving innovation and excellence in digital solutions.
• Complex Problem Solving: Engage with intricate business challenges, requiring sophisticated analytical thinking and the ability to make complex architectural trade-offs.
• Career Progression: The description highlights expectations for Vice Presidents, suggesting clear pathways for advancement, whether through strategic leadership, team management, or becoming a subject matter expert.
• Financial Services Exposure: Gain invaluable experience within the dynamic financial services sector, with domain experience in Banking, Cards, or Loans being highly valued.
• Cloud Adoption: Play a key role in architecting systems that leverage the full potential of public cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Collaborative Environment: Work closely with stakeholders across the organization to understand needs and deliver solutions that balance business goals with technological risks.
• Emphasis on Best Practices: Opportunities to implement and champion modern software engineering practices, security principles, and automated delivery tooling.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

To thrive in this role, candidates should be prepared to demonstrate proficiency in the following areas:

• Architectural Expertise: A strong foundation in architecting modern distributed systems is essential.
• Stakeholder Management & Influence: The ability to effectively manage stakeholders, influence decisions, and navigate complex problem-solving scenarios is critical. This includes making informed architectural trade-offs.
• Bridging Heritage and Modernity: Experience in creating transitional architectures that seamlessly integrate with and leverage existing heritage systems is highly valued.
• Cloud Proficiency: Hands-on experience architecting systems within public cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP) will significantly strengthen an application.
• Technical Acumen: The capacity to manage technical product selection, define scope, and execute technical spikes and Proofs of Concepts (PoCs) is important.
• Risk & Controls Mindset: A comprehensive understanding and practical application of risk and controls within architectural design is paramount in the financial services industry.
• Business Acumen: The ability to connect technical solutions to business objectives and demonstrate strategic thinking will be a significant asset.
• Adaptability: A willingness to embrace and contribute to the evolution of standardized solutions and feed into their ongoing development.

Candidates will be assessed on critical skills encompassing risk and controls, change and transformation, business acumen, strategic thinking, digital and technology expertise, alongside job-specific technical skills. Embracing the Barclays Values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship, along with the Barclays Mindset of Empower, Challenge, and Drive, will be key to success.

This role presents an exceptional opportunity for seasoned Solution Architects to shape the future of digital banking and contribute to a leading financial institution's success. If you are a forward-thinking architect with a passion for innovation and a drive for excellence, this could be the next pivotal step in your career.