Lead Solution Architect

TL;DR

Lead Solution Architect: Shaping solutions for digital products and services, modernizing assessment design and delivery with an accent on simplifying complexity and aligning technology choices. Focus on building a strong architectural capability, championing best practices, and guiding the organization to make informed decisions.

Location: Hybrid – 2 days a week in the office in Manchester or Milton Keynes

Salary: Manchester: £73,600 - £85,700, Milton Keynes: £76,600 - £89,200

Company

hirify.global is an independent charity that sets and marks over half of all GCSEs and A-levels in the UK every year.

What you will do

• Define and maintain solution architecture standards, principles, and frameworks.
• Lead and manage a team of Solution Architects, supporting their development and embedding best practice.
• Collaborate across product, technology, and business domains to evaluate solution options and shape clear recommendations.
• Provide architectural oversight and governance across initiatives, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture, data strategy, and security policies.

Requirements

• Bring solution architecture experience across complex or multi‑domain environments.
• Be confident engaging with senior stakeholders and translating architectural thinking for non‑technical audiences.
• Have a strong technical background and understanding of modern architectural practices, especially cloud-native approaches.
• Be collaborative, inquisitive, and comfortable challenging thinking constructively.
• Can lead, mentor, and inspire a team.

Culture & Benefits

• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas.
• A 35-hour working week with flexible working arrangements.
• An excellent contributory pension scheme (6%–11.5% depending on your contribution).
• Life assurance, BUPA PMI, and health cash plan.
• Committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion.

Hiring process

• Two-stage process: initial MS Teams call followed by an in-person interview at either the Manchester or Milton Keynes office.