Lead Solution Architect
First seen by Alion on Oct 9, 2026.
About the Candidate:
Some of the skills and experience were looking for:
Substantial industry experience within an Information Technology domain maintaining in-depth knowledge of specific technical specialisms, provides expert advice regarding their application.
Demonstrable evidence of taking a technical leadership role across large complex programmes.
Experience of implementing large scale Big Data platforms
Sound experience of architecture frameworks, methodologies and application of appropriate architecture methods.
Team leading experience; experience of managing resources in a matrix organisation
Development and management of technical governance processes relevant to the entire organisation.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build and manage relationships and to engage and lead internal and external stakeholders proactively.
Full details of responsibilities, skills, and criteria are available in the attached Job Description. Please ensure your supporting statement includes demonstratable evidence and specific examples on how you meet the criteria for each of the key skills specified. This will be used in both the shortlisting and interview processes.
The post of Lead Solution Architect has been awarded a Recruitment and Retention Premia (RRP) in response to current labour market conditions. In recognition of this, the role attracts an additional monthly RRP payment equal to 20% per annum.
Please be aware that RRP is non-contractual and subject to review.
Job description Job responsibilitiesAbout the Candidate:
Some of the skills and experience were looking for:
Substantial industry experience within an Information Technology domain maintaining in-depth knowledge of specific technical specialisms, provides expert advice regarding their application.
Demonstrable evidence of taking a technical leadership role across large complex programmes.
Experience of implementing large scale Big Data platforms
Sound experience of architecture frameworks, methodologies and application of appropriate architecture methods.
Team leading experience; experience of managing resources in a matrix organisation
Development and management of technical governance processes relevant to the entire organisation.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to build and manage relationships and to engage and lead internal and external stakeholders proactively.
Full details of responsibilities, skills, and criteria are available in the attached Job Description. Please ensure your supporting statement includes demonstratable evidence and specific examples on how you meet the criteria for each of the key skills specified. This will be used in both the shortlisting and interview processes.
The post of Lead Solution Architect has been awarded a Recruitment and Retention Premia (RRP) in response to current labour market conditions. In recognition of this, the role attracts an additional monthly RRP payment equal to 20% per annum.
Please be aware that RRP is non-contractual and subject to review.
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential- Masters or equivalent qualification, specifically in a computing, scientific or mathematical subject OR equivalent experience
- Knowledge of major cloud platforms including core architecture patterns, managed services, networking, identity and security controls, and cost optimisation principles, with the ability to apply this knowledge to multi-cloud and cloud-agnostic solution designs at enterprise scale
- Knowledge of major Apache spark data platform services and their associated architectures
- Evidence of providing clear direction through communicating the strategic vision, adopting a corporate approach and inspiring the SA team to achieve its goals.
- Line and activity management of technical staff including setting clear team objectives and priorities and monitoring achievement. Builds the team's capability to match changing delivery needs
- Demonstrable evidence regarding leadership in the development of architectures for complex national-scale systems, ensuring consistency with specified requirements agreed with both external and internal customers
- Masters or equivalent qualification, specifically in a computing, scientific or mathematical subject OR equivalent experience
- Knowledge of major cloud platforms including core architecture patterns, managed services, networking, identity and security controls, and cost optimisation principles, with the ability to apply this knowledge to multi-cloud and cloud-agnostic solution designs at enterprise scale
- Knowledge of major Apache spark data platform services and their associated architectures
- Evidence of providing clear direction through communicating the strategic vision, adopting a corporate approach and inspiring the SA team to achieve its goals.
- Line and activity management of technical staff including setting clear team objectives and priorities and monitoring achievement. Builds the team's capability to match changing delivery needs
- Demonstrable evidence regarding leadership in the development of architectures for complex national-scale systems, ensuring consistency with specified requirements agreed with both external and internal customers
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details
Employer nameNHS England
AddressAny NHS England office
NHS England, 7/8 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP
Leeds / London / Any NHSE site
LS1 4AP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer details
Employer nameNHS England
AddressAny NHS England office
NHS England, 7/8 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP
Leeds / London / Any NHSE site
LS1 4AP
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.england.nhs.uk/about/working-for/ (Opens in a new tab)
Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:Deputy DIR of Technology & Security Architecture
Aidan Davies-Webb
Details
Date posted09 October 2026
Pay schemeAgenda for change
BandBand 8d
Salary£113,227 to £130,576 a year pa including 20% RRP (exclusive of London weighting)
ContractPermanent
Working patternFull-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working
Reference number990-TDD-D&A-EC5116-E
Job locationsAny NHS England office
NHS England, 7/8 Wellington Place, Leeds, LS1 4AP
Leeds / London / Any NHSE site
LS1 4AP
United Kingdom
Job overview
Data & Analytics is central to delivering the NHS 10 Year Health Plan, with responsibility for national programmes worth £1.5 billion. This generational opportunity will use technology to transform how NHS care is delivered, planned, managed and improved by turning national ambition into effective data, digital and platform capabilities. Key programs include: o Single Patient Record - transforming the current disjointed digital landscape to produce patient and clinician facing services that operate seamlessly regardless of care context or location o Event Based Architecture-providing a real-time data capability to enable better intelligence across all NHS services and join up care. We are building faster, safer services with better operational decisions to advanced analytics, research and responsible AI at scale. We are seeking a talented Lead Solution Architect to help shape some of NHSE's most strategically important technology work, translating ambition into practical architectures, reusable patterns and assured solutions that operate safely at national scale. This is an exciting time to join NHSE as one of our Lead Solution Architects and support the delivery of the 10 Year Health Plan for England: fit for the future - GOV.UK . The Architecture Profession provides a range of services to our internal and external stakeholders. We provide architecture design, technical consultancy and architecture ownership to large scale NHS programmes and organisations.
Main duties
As a Lead Solution Architect reporting into the Deputy Director of Technical and Security Architecture, you will:-