Lead Solutions Architect – ID2023-7946

Dundee, Glasgow

We are currently seeking a highly skilled Lead Solutions Architect to join our Architecture and Design branch. You’ll have the opportunity to work with a talented team of around 40 architects, where you’ll play a vital role in defining strategy, collaborating with senior stakeholders, and mentoring junior colleagues. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact and help shape the future of social security provision in Scotland apply now to become a valued member of our team.

The Architecture and Design branch, part of our Chief Digital Office, is a team of around 40 highly skilled individuals. The team is split into six architecture domains: solution, cloud, enterprise, data, business, and application architecture.  We develop high-level architecture and solution designs for all technologies underpinning the Chief Digital Office delivery capability and focus on creating frameworks to sustainably prioritise, plan and deliver change.

Our digital solutions are highly integrated with external parties, which reflects that we are part of a wider public sector ecosystem that follows a service design goal to take the burden away from the client to obtain information. The team follows a set of architectural principles as part of our Digital and Technology Strategy, providing guidance as we continue to progress through the design and delivery of devolved and new benefits to the people of Scotland.

Joining our team means being part of our mission to develop innovative digital solutions that enhance the welfare of the people of Scotland. If you are seeking a role that offers exciting opportunities for personal and professional growth, apply now to become a valued member of our Architecture and Design branch.

DDaT Pay Supplement
This post attracts a £5000 Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) pay supplement after a 3 months DDaT competency qualifying period. The payment will be backdated to your start date in the role.  Pay supplements are temporary payments designed to address recruitment and retention issues caused by market pressures and are subject to regular review. This post is part of the Scottish Government DDaT profession. As a member of the profession you will join the professional development system, currently BCS RoleModelplus.

• define strategy and are key to assuring services
• regularly collaborate and find agreement with senior stakeholders, providing direction and challenge
• are proactive in identifying problems and translating these into non-technical descriptions that can be widely understood
• mentor and coach junior colleagues

Additional Duties
• Direct the architecture, design, and implementation of robust, scalable, open and secure digital/web-based components, platforms and products ensuring delivery to the highest standard.
• Perform quality assurance of technical solutions in the ecosystem.
• Remain up to date (horizon scanning) with best practice, new developments and trends digital, ICT and architecture industry / communities and reflect this into the ecosystem.
• Promote the highest professional standards to lead and educate, inspire and innovate, and deliver intelligently.
• Manage, and collaborate with, external suppliers to ensure that their system architectures meet our requirements, including: overall system design, user experience, and integration points/APIs.

1.  Technical Proficiency – The Lead Solutions Architect must have a working understanding of AWS Cloud, Security, Data Architecture and Database systems. Be fluent in these areas with a background of building robust and cost-effective solutions that align with business requirements and technical capabilities.
2.  In-depth knowledge of Architecture Principles – comprehension of architecture principles and frameworks such as (but not limited to); C4 or TOGAF with working knowledge of service-oriented architecture and microservices.
3.  Strong Communication and People Skills – As the Lead Solution Architect you will be the bridge between your team and business stakeholders. The Lead Solution Architect must have the capability to effectively translate technical language into non-technical, driving consensus and decision-making forward.
4.  Leadership and Management skills – The Lead Solution Architect will be responsible for directing, prioritising and providing leadership to the Solution Architect domain. The Lead Solution Architect must have a command of project management skills and have lead a team of Solutions Architects in the past, with a demonstrable track record of dealing with large scale corporate or government ICT/Digital projects.

Annual Leave – You will receive 25 days annual leave on joining us. This will increase to 30 days after four full years of service. You will also have 11.5 public and privilege days of leave every year. We also offer Flexi-time. Any extra hours you’ve worked can be taken as leave when suitable.

A Civil Service Pension – This job comes with a Civil Service pension. New joiners to the Civil Service will join a career average pension scheme as standard. Read more here – www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk.

Healthy work life balance – We can offer the possibility of full-time, part-time, term-time, and job shares. We also encourage flexible working.

Discounts – You can enjoy a vast range of retail, travel and lifestyle discounts through our benefit scheme.

Personal support for you – Our Employee Assistance Programme gives you confidential, independent information and guidance 24/7.

Volunteering special leave – Up to six days paid special leave a year for volunteering. We support our staff to help causes important to them.

Great locations – Our bright and modern offices in the heart of Dundee and Glasgow have been designed with staff in mind. Both locations are ideal for public transport.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

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Job contact :

• Name : Social Security Scotland’s Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot
• Telephone : 08001577194

Recruitment team

• Email : Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot