Lead Solution Architect

at  The British Library

ABOUT US

The British Library is the national library of the United Kingdom and one of the world’s greatest research libraries. We are home to over 170 million items from across the globe, ranging from manuscripts, maps, newspapers, and journals to sound recordings, stamps, and digital content. Our mission is to make our collections available to everyone, for research, inspiration, and enjoyment.
Following a recent cyber-attack, we are undertaking a major transformation of our digital infrastructure. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of one of the world’s most iconic cultural institutions as we embark on a journey to strengthen our digital resilience, enhance our services, and continue to support the needs of our users in a rapidly changing digital landscape.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Proven experience as a Solution Architect, with a strong track record in leading architecture design and implementation in complex environments.
Experience leading a team of architects or engineers, with strong leadership and mentoring skills.
Extensive experience in designing secure, scalable, and high-performance systems and solutions.
Strong knowledge of cybersecurity principles, practices, and technologies, with experience in designing architectures that incorporate robust security measures.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and manage relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
Experience with cloud platforms, microservices architecture, and modern application development frameworks.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and translate business requirements into effective technical solutions.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

THE ROLE

We are looking for a highly skilled and motivated Lead Solution Architect to join our team and play a key role in defining and delivering the architectural vision of the British Library. In this role, you will lead a small but growing team of architects, collaborating closely with various stakeholders across the organisation. You will be instrumental in designing robust, scalable, and secure architecture solutions that align with the Library’s strategic goals and digital transformation initiatives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Be part of the development and implementation of the architectural strategy, ensuring it supports the British Library’s strategic objectives and enhances digital security and resilience.
Design and document robust, scalable, and secure architecture solutions, providing technical leadership and guidance to your team and stakeholders.
Collaborate with IT, cybersecurity, and other departments to ensure seamless integration and alignment of architecture with the Library’s overall digital strategy.
Develop and maintain architecture roadmaps, standards, and best practices.
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of architects, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Assess and recommend new technologies, tools, and methodologies to enhance the Library’s digital infrastructure and services.
Ensure compliance with relevant data protection and cybersecurity regulations.
Support the recovery and mitigation efforts related to the recent cyber-attack, implementing measures to prevent future incidents.