The Solution Architect will act as the organisational lead for the design, implementation and maintenance of digital technologies, tools, and solutions in order to deliver an efficient, effective, and compliant Research Systems Programme (RSP) and other digital initiatives. They will provide technical leadership for transforming HRA’s RSP using agile methods, cutting edge technology, and driving change via a multidisciplinary delivery team. They will ensure that the technology solutions align with organisation’s goals and challenges and provide value for the public purse.

ensure a problem and the desired outcomes are properly defined
ensure the scope of a solution meets the organisation’s requirements
stay up to date on technology trends and approaches
find and use emerging technologies and approaches
understand organisational objectives and external drivers, for example, legislation or financial constraints
work with others to develop business and technical strategies
work within business and technical constraints
design and document solutions so they can be implemented by the organisation
communicate and work effectively with stakeholders
manage risks and decisions in a transparent way
build relationships with senior stakeholders across different business or technical areas in the organisation

This post is available on a home-worker basis, with the requirement to visit any HRA site as needed.

• work to support wider organisational objectives beyond your immediate goals​.
• track emerging internal and external issues over time that could affect the work of teams across the organisation
• take action to solve or mitigate problems by influencing colleagues across the organisation
• communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders at all levels, and across organisations, using architecture communication techniques​.
• work collaboratively in a group, actively networking with others.
• make and guide architectural design decisions characterised by medium risk and complexity
• use architectural governance and assurance to make design decisions and manage technical risks at the appropriate level.
• lead the framing of a problem characterised by high complexity, complication, or risk so that a solution can be created.
• define strategies or visions across teams that align with organisational objectives.
• lead and guide others in creating technical designs that achieve organisational objectives.
• You are flexible and capable of proactive and reactive communication.
• define solution architecture and design strategy and be central to assuring services.
• Can evolve and define governance; take responsibility for working with and supporting other staff in wider governance
• Day to day responsibility for systems that hold a significant amount of data related to research applications.

Working at the HRA, we are reminded daily of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do.
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.
When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement – if it works for us, we will do our best to make it work for you.
Please note, if applying to our Manchester, Nottingham or Bristol locations, we are only able to offer the role as home based.
This role sits within HRA Digital. The HRA Digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRA’s portfolio or national information systems for health research. This includes a major programme to build a new Integrated Research Application and Workflow system and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems (IRAS and HARP).
The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors.
To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached.
In submitting your application with us, please note the following:
We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies.
We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorship
arrangement.
Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered.
The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number of
applications