The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

IT Services at the University of Sheffield provide a full range of  complex IT and technology-enabled services. This role supports delivery across our three strategic product areas: Education, Research and Innovation and One University (please see our vision below for more information on One University). These product areas are moving to utilise modern agile change methodologies to improve service provision, simplify processes and support product development.                                           

The Lead Solution Architect role will lead, inspire and develop a growing team of solution architects engaged in our most challenging change projects. This role will be critical in further developing the Solution Architecture function and will report to the Chief Technology Officer.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Lead, inspire and develop a team of solution architects, ensuring delivery of high-quality architectural designs for complex technology-enabled services.

• Drive the development of the Solution Architecture function, establishing best practices, standards and methodologies to support enterprise-wide projects.

• Lead the design of resilient, reliable and sustainable services, ensuring alignment with business needs and University strategy.

• Work at executive level to steer strategic initiatives and create collaborative design communities across the organisation.

• Oversee the design, specification and selection of technology solutions, considering functionality, data, security, integration, infrastructure and performance requirements.

• Develop and champion solution architectural principles and templates to deliver cost-effective and sustainable IT-enabled business processes.

• Ensure technical solution definitions include appropriate assurance mechanisms including functional and non-functional requirements and validation processes.

• Lead the organisation in exploiting technology, using knowledge of IT solutions to support innovative and high-impact business capabilities.

• Provide architectural guidance and mentoring to project teams, assisting with business cases and reviewing vendor proposals for architectural alignment.

• Manage team performance, development and cohesion, including permanent and contract staff.

• Collaborate with senior leadership and stakeholders to ensure successful delivery of solutions that yield effective return on investment.

• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and identify opportunities for innovation whilst mitigating architectural risks.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact it-services-recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes.

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.