Senior Solution Architect - Cloud, Data & Infrastructure

At UBDS Group, we simplify complexity and deliver innovative, secure solutions at pace. As we continue to grow across our digital, cloud, data, AI and cybersecurity capabilities, we're looking for an experienced Senior Solution Architect to provide technical leadership across complex client engagements and strategic opportunities.

This is a broad, client-facing architecture role working across the UBDS Group portfolio. You'll lead the development of end-to-end solutions, from early-stage discovery and opportunity shaping through to solution design, governance and delivery.

We're not looking for someone who is a deep specialist in every technology domain. We're looking for an architect with significant technical breadth, strong architectural judgement and the ability to bring together multiple capabilities into a coherent, secure, commercially viable and deliverable solution.

You'll operate as a senior technical authority, working closely with senior client stakeholders, engineering and delivery leadership, security, data, cloud and other technical specialists. You'll know where your own expertise adds value and when to bring in deeper specialist capability.

Key Responsibilities

- Lead solution architecture across complex client engagements, transformation programmes and strategic opportunities.
- Own the end-to-end architectural vision for solutions, ensuring alignment between business outcomes, technical requirements, delivery approach and commercial objectives.
- Engage with senior client stakeholders to understand strategic objectives, challenge requirements and shape appropriate technology solutions.
- Lead discovery workshops and architectural discussions, translating complex business and technical challenges into clear solution options.
- Design end-to-end solutions across relevant areas of the UBDS capability portfolio, including cloud, infrastructure, applications, data & AI, cybersecurity, integration and modern workplace.
- Provide architectural leadership across the full lifecycle, from opportunity shaping and pre-sales through solution design, delivery and transition into service.
- Develop and communicate solution architectures, reference architectures, technical roadmaps, architecture diagrams and key design decisions.
- Ensure solutions address security, resilience, scalability, performance, operational capability and governance requirements.
- Consider total cost, commercial models, delivery complexity and long-term sustainability when shaping solutions.
- Work closely with Lead Engineers, Technical Architects, Security Architects and domain specialists to develop and assure complex technical solutions.
- Provide technical leadership and architectural assurance throughout delivery, challenging deviations and managing architectural risks.
- Identify dependencies, assumptions, constraints and technical risks early, ensuring these are clearly understood by clients and delivery teams.
- Support and lead technical input into bids, proposals, statements of work and strategic account opportunities.
- Develop reusable solution patterns and architectural approaches that can be applied across multiple clients and engagements.
- Contribute to the continued development of architectural standards, governance and best practice across UBDS Group.
- Act as a senior technical representative for UBDS Group with clients, partners and the wider technology community.
- Coach and support other architects and technical consultants, contributing to the development of architectural capability across the Group.

Required Experience & Skills

- Significant experience as a Solution Architect, Senior Solution Architect, Technical Architect or similar senior architecture role within complex enterprise, consulting or systems integration environments.
- Proven experience owning and leading end-to-end solution architecture across complex programmes and client engagements.
- Strong understanding of modern enterprise and cloud architecture principles, patterns and technologies.
- Broad knowledge across multiple technology domains, such as cloud platforms, applications, infrastructure, data & AI, cybersecurity, networking, integration and DevOps.
- Demonstrable ability to connect different technology domains and develop coherent end-to-end architectures without needing to be the deepest technical specialist in each area.
- Strong architectural judgement, with the ability to evaluate options, understand trade-offs and make pragmatic recommendations.
- Experience operating at senior stakeholder level, including communicating and presenting complex technical concepts to executive, commercial and non-technical audiences.
- Strong consulting and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge requirements and shape client thinking.
- Experience working with engineering and delivery leadership to ensure solutions are technically sound and practically deliverable.
- Strong understanding of security, governance, resilience, operational and service management considerations within solution design.
- Commercial awareness, including the ability to balance technical outcomes with cost, timescales, risk and delivery constraints.
- Experience working effectively within complex and evolving environments where requirements may be ambiguous or change over time.

Desirable Experience

- Experience across Azure and/or AWS environments.
- Experience across one or more of UBDS Group's core capability areas, including Cloud Platforms, Data & AI, Cybersecurity, Digital Consulting, Managed Services or Technology Delivery.
- Strong experience in solution shaping, pre-sales, bids and technical proposals.
- Experience developing technical strategies and roadmaps for clients.
- Experience of enterprise architecture frameworks, governance or architecture assurance.
- Experience working within public sector, financial services or other regulated environments.
- Experience operating within multi-supplier or complex partner ecosystems.
- UK Security Clearance (SC) or current eligibility to obtain and maintain SC clearance.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a senior architect who can operate at both strategic and technical levels .

You'll be comfortable engaging with senior client stakeholders, shaping opportunities and determining the right architectural approach, while also being able to go deep enough technically to challenge designs, assess risk and provide credible technical leadership.

You won't need to be the specialist in every domain. Instead, you'll bring strong architectural breadth and know how to assemble and lead the right combination of

Benefits

Why people choose to grow their careers at UBDS Group

Professionals choose to grow their careers at UBDS Group for its reputation as a dynamic and forward-thinking organisation that is deeply committed to both innovation and employee development. At UBDS Group, employees are given unique opportunities to work on cutting-edge projects across a diverse range of industries, exposing them to new challenges and learning opportunities that are pivotal for professional growth. The Group’s culture emphasises continuous improvement, offering ample training programs, mentorship, and the chance to gain certifications that enhance their skills and marketability.

UBDS Group fosters a collaborative environment where creativity and innovation are encouraged, allowing employees to contribute ideas and solutions that have a tangible impact on the company and its clients. This combination of professional development, a culture of innovation, and the opportunity to make meaningful contributions makes UBDS Group an attractive place for those looking to advance their careers and be at the forefront of technological and operational excellence.

Employee Benefits

- Training – All team members are offered a number of options in terms of personal development, whether it is technical led, business acumen or methodologies. We want you to grow with us and to help us achieve more
- Private medical cover for you and your spouse/partner, offered via Vitality
- Discretionary bonus based on a blend of personal and company performance
- Holiday – You will receive 25 Days holiday, plus 1 day for Birthday and 1 day for your work anniversary in addition to UK bank holidays
- Electric Vehicle leasing with salary sacrifice
- Contributed Pension Scheme
- Death in service cover

About UBDS Group

At UBDS Group our mission is to support entrepreneurs who are setting new standards with technology solutions across cloud services, cybersecurity, data and AI, ensuring that every investment advances our commitment to innovation, making a difference, and creating impactful solutions for organisations and society.

Equal Opportunities

We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.