Solution Architect

Talan (part of the Talan Group) is an expert provider of professional services. Our vision and mission is to take positive action in a complex world for the future good of people and the environment and to enlighten and enable our clients’ transformation in an increasingly complex world. We are purpose-driven, working across multiple sectors, tackling social and environmental challenges, improving and simplify the way markets work, harnessing the power of digital transformation and ensuring data is protected and used ethically. Talan provides a range of consultancy and outsourcing capabilities including programme management, market design and governance. We also have extensive and award-winning capabilities across cyber security, data privacy and digital transformation. We are Great Place to Work accredited. The nature of what we do means we are very much a people business. The contribution every member of the team makes to our diverse range of experience, skills and personalities is valued. We invest heavily in learning and development to enable our people to develop skills and gain experience which will enhance career prospects for life. Many who started their careers with us have rapidly progressed to more senior positions. No two days are the same, but we believe in a flexible approach to working which we know our employees value. The Role Talan is recruiting an ambitious Solution Architect to work in the Digital business unit as a Principal Consultant. You will support our clients and stakeholders across the Energy, Public Sector and Financial sectors to design and deliver successful digital change initiatives. As a Principal Consultant, you will work with a team of experts who will support the solution, development, and management of technical solutions on behalf of Talan’s clients. This is an exciting opportunity and is central to ensuring that Talan can deliver and manage the right technical solutions to clients in a fast-changing environment. The role is also expected to act as a recognised technical authority, influencing senior client and stakeholder decisions, shaping architectural direction, and representing Talan as a trusted expert in secure digital transformation.# Build strong relationships with stakeholders to understand business objectives, technology strategy and existing architectural landscapes, ensuring solution designs align with organisational goals. Lead the definition of solution architectures and provide clear, actionable recommendations to support technology-enabled change and digital transformation initiatives. Act as the technical authority throughout the project lifecycle, providing leadership and guidance during design, implementation, deployment and transition into service. Establish and govern technical delivery frameworks, ensuring appropriate architecture governance, design assurance and decision-making processes are in place. Lead architecture and design reviews, identifying and mitigating risks, dependencies and technical issues to support successful delivery outcomes. Promote architectural best practice and contribute to the continuous improvement of standards, methodologies and ways of working across the Digital business unit. Support business development activities through client engagement, solution shaping, bid responses and proposal development. Act as a recognised subject matter expert, providing strategic architecture advice to senior clients and internal stakeholders and influencing decisions on secure, scalable and future-ready solutions. Coach and mentor colleagues, sharing specialist architecture knowledge and supporting capability development across the Digital business unit. Contribute to internal and external thought leadership, including architecture standards, reusable delivery assets, communities of practice, client briefings, white papers or knowledge-sharing sessions. Identify and shape opportunities for innovation, including cloud modernisation, automation, AI-enabled services, secure-by-design architecture and continuous improvement of delivery approaches. SPECIALIST ARCHITECTURE CAPABILITIES In addition to core Solution Architecture expertise, candidates should demonstrate experience in one or more of the following specialist areas: SECURITY ARCHITECTURE Designing secure enterprise solutions including Identity and Access Management (IAM), cloud security, cryptographic controls, Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) and information assurance within regulated environments. ENTERPRISE INTEGRATION ARCHITECTURE Designing and delivering complex integration solutions across applications, platforms and external partners, including secure interoperability, API-led integration, data exchange and enterprise-wide system integration. RISK ASSESSMENT AND INFORMATION ASSURANCE Leading technical risk assessments, security assurance activities and governance reviews to ensure solutions comply with organisational, regulatory and security requirements. Competitive salary plus bonus and excellent benefits package. Requirements Proven experience designing and delivering solution architectures that support business and technology transformation programmes. Strong Solution Architecture and Enterprise Architecture expertise, including the design of secure, resilient and scalable digital solutions. Experience leading technical design activities, architecture workstreams and multi-disciplinary delivery teams. Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences. Experience establishing architecture governance, design assurance and technical review processes. Strong business analysis, requirements management and solution definition capabilities. Knowledge of architecture frameworks and methodologies such as TOGAF, Zachman or equivalent. Experience working within complex, regulated environments. Demonstrable experience supporting the full solution lifecycle, from discovery and design through to implementation and operational handover. Evidence of operating as a trusted expert or strategic advisor, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and guide clients through complex technology and architecture decisions. Experience mentoring, coaching or developing colleagues, including sharing expertise, raising capability and supporting the development of future experts. Experience contributing to thought leadership, practice development, technical communities, reusable assets or external market positioning in a specialist area of architecture. Desirable Skills and Qualifications Experience within the Energy, Utilities, Public Sector, Healthcare or other highly regulated industries. Knowledge of energy market systems, data architecture and regulatory frameworks. Cloud architecture and cloud security expertise, particularly within Microsoft Azure environments. Identity and Access Management (IAM), PKI and cryptographic solutions. Technology risk management, information assurance and security governance. Large-scale digital transformation, systems integration and modernisation programmes. Pre-sales consultancy, bid support and solution shaping experience. Experience working within Agile, DevOps and product-led delivery environments. Experience with low/no-code automation platforms Relevant professional certifications such as TOGAF, SABSA, CISSP, Azure Solutions Architect, or equivalent. Experience representing an organisation externally through client advisory work, industry forums, conference participation, publications, white papers or specialist networks. Track record of identifying commercial opportunities, shaping propositions, supporting strategic bids and contributing to the growth of a digital, architecture or technology consulting practice. Upon employment, employees should also have a sound awareness of the Company's Information, Quality, Environmental and Energy Management Systems. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion commitments Our commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. As a socially responsible leader, Talan continually invests in sustainable growth, addressing both social and environmental challenges. We achieve this while preserving our core values and ensuring operational excellence for our clients. This commitment to excellence extends across all aspects of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. For the past three years, through our 360° approach to social and environmental responsibility, we have been driving significant change and strengthening these principles within our corporate DNA. The solid foundations we've been building since 2021 are enabling our organisation to transform in a sustainable and positive manner. Disability Inclusion We recognise that the diversity of legislative and cultural frameworks for supporting individuals with disabilities requires the implementation of specific policies and a unique approach in each country where the Group operates. Talan is committed to strengthening its involvement in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities by implementing dedicated support systems and raising awareness among our teams on these issues. WHAT WE OFFER 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays Reward and recognition schemes Flexible working Private Bupa healthcare (subsidised) Life Assurance (up to 4 times annual salary) Matched pension contributions Season Ticket Loan Cycle to work scheme Buy and Sell annual leave Reimbursement of eye test and up to £50 towards glasses or contacts Corporate gym rates Employee Assistance Programme Summer and Christmas parties, along with monthly Social@77