Solutions Architect
Radbroke. Barclays Technology Campus. Where the best talent in the world can build careers full of scope, variety and reward, by creating the technical solutions that meet today's demands, answer tomorrow's questions and redefine the future of finance.
About Barclays
Barclays is a transatlantic consumer, corporate and investment bank offering products and services across personal, corporate and investment banking, credit cards and wealth management, with a strong presence in our two home markets of the UK and the US. With over 325 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 40 countries and employs approximately 130,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide. Please visit our website here for more information.
Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide . Please visit our website here for more information.
Overall Purpose Of Role:
The Architecture centre of excellence sets the technical strategy and vision for BUK, drives innovation and R&D and provides centralised enterprise and solution architecture capability across all CIO areas.
To lead and be accountable for all solutioning/end to end design activities for projects across the end-to-end software development lifecycle within BUK.
To support the lead architect within the BUK domain in defining the strategy and roadmap for this particular domain.
Key Accountabilities & Skills Required:
Strategy Development (5%)
Strategy and Plan: Under the guidance of the Lead Architect within the PCB domain, develop elements of the technical strategy, roadmaps and vision for that area that align to Board approved Purpose, Values, Risk Appetite and Policies and are consistent with wider BUK and Barclays Group standards. Citizenship and Reputation: Maintain effective relationships and deal openly with all key stakeholders, taking into account the needs of all stakeholders. Influence decisions which, in the long term, are positive for customers and clients, shareholders, colleagues and the communities in which Barclays operate.
Project Solutions Development (90%)
Provide technical consultancy for new initiatives, to assist in the definition of business requirements or technical strategies. Own end to end technical and application architecture for allocated projects within the BUK domain, identifying and engaging all technical component teams that need to contribute. Work closely with the Lead Architect and other Solution Architects, programme managers, business analysts & product to understand and challenge requirements:
Support project definition Refine business requirements in light of technical constraints and opportunities Ensure that end-to-end view is established and that all key requirements are captured. Support the definition of clear functional and non-functional requirements (e.g. capacity, availability, response times, etc.). Agree with business clients how requirements will be tested and any mitigating actions to minimise risk. Understand technical constraints of live environment / architecture, support business clients in understanding any 'requirement versus cost' trade-offs.
Design, document and communicate technical and integration solutions: Analyse project scoping statement, project requirements to help define a complete end to end solution, utilising capabilities available across BUK Identify and develop innovative solutions that will enhance the client experience and provide a cost effective solution for BUK Use analysis output to create and document candidate solutions Present complex technical ideas (both written and verbal), anticipate potential objections and persuade others to adopt the most appropriate view. Ensure candidate solutions are reviewed with peer architects and the Lead Architect Maintain ownership of the design throughout the Software Development Life Cycle, ensuring continued alignment to end-to-end designs, reviewing and approving component designs driven from the wider end to end design.
Ensure project designs are compliant to architectures and standards by: Producing required governance artefacts as dictated by the TSBIA rating assigned to the project Presenting project designs at the appropriate Design Authority. Supporting the lead architect in evolving the architectures and standards, ensuring their effectiveness alongside advancing business, security and technology landscapes.
Core Deliverables:
Full & Partial Concept solutions/Viability Assessments Non-functional requirements End to end designs Supporting Governance Artefacts
Application Management (5%)
Participate in technical implementation planning, ensuring that the integrity of live operations will be maintained. Support the handover of the system into business-as-usual (BAU) operation, providing the relevant IT service teams with information and education relating to the system technology and function. Assist in the resolution of live incidents and system problems as and when required. Identify proactive remedial strategies to prevent future system problems and to improve the quality of delivered systems.
Risk and Control:
All Barclays colleagues have to ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise Wide Risk Management Framework and internal Barclays Policies and Policy Standards
Your Skills and Qualifications will include
Essential Knowledge & Expertise
Architectures
Proficient in architecting solutions across disparate technologies to achieve the complex business objectives of multiple business areas:
Breadth and depth of financial services business and applications knowledge.
Able to thrive in an unstructured, ambiguous environment; adept at varying own styles to influence the optimum outcome.
Able to interface with several stakeholders and influencing their conflicting objectives in to a pragmatic solution and deliverable release schedule.
Customer Focus
Anticipates client needs; responds to and follows through on client enquiries, requests and issues:
Acts as a trusted advisor to the customer on both technical and business issues.
Fully understands the customer's products and priorities and maintains a strong cross-functional network.
Elicits regular feedback from customers and acts on the results.
Leadership
Demonstrates leadership qualities:
Able to influence project / programme stakeholders;
Champions new initiatives within own scope
Is sought for expert advice and knowledge.
Team working
Readily shares information/ knowledge. Develops highly effective working relationships:
Acts to break down barriers that may inhibit communication and productivity.
Resolves difficult situations or conflicts in a manner which leaves individuals comfortable and satisfied with both the process and the outcome.
Actively collaborates with others across organisational boundaries in pursuit of common goals.
Recognises individual contributions and provide appropriate and timely feedback.
Act as a mentor to colleagues.
Communication
Highly articulate communicator with excellent written and verbal communication:
Communicate clearly and effectively with all levels of stakeholders
Presents solutions to business and technical stakeholders.
Listens to questions and identifies the key issues.
Uses graphics in order to make complex or abstract concepts simple to understand.
Fluent in English.
Control
Has working knowledge of governance & control techniques:
Experienced in acting as the design authority for a project;
Experienced in working with the design authority for a project and acting as architecture sign-off for project level component deliverables
Able to estimate budgets for small to medium and projects;
Can identify high-impact, sensitive situations or issues and escalate appropriately;
Ensures governance, risk and control procedures are followed.
People Development
Has working knowledge of concepts and practices of people development:
Identify own development needs and proactively drive development of own capability
Helps others learn as coach and mentor;
Specific Requirements for this role:
Real world architecture experience is essential with practical experience of defining enterprise wide technical solutions, documenting them and driving them to delivery
Experience in systems integration projects is a pre-requisite
Able to exhibit technical leadership throughout the project life cycle
Experience in architecting end to end solutions including application/infrastructure integration
Able to demonstrate previous evidence of drive, energy, commitment, and enthusiasm.
Preferred Additional Knowledge & Expertise
The candidate ideally will have experience in banking applications and infrastructure, with an understanding of service management
Solution architect and enterprise architect training and certification, e.g. TOGAF, BCS accreditation.
Exposure to Service Orientated Architecture design principles, service definition and web services implementation including exposure of API components to external consumers
The Benefits
Our customers deserve the best. The same goes for our employees. That's why at Barclays you'll receive a range of benefits that include a competitive salary and all the tools, technology and support you need to succeed.
Our Culture
Everything we do is shaped by the five values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship..... click apply for full job details
About Barclays
Barclays is a transatlantic consumer, corporate and investment bank offering products and services across personal, corporate and investment banking, credit cards and wealth management, with a strong presence in our two home markets of the UK and the US. With over 325 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 40 countries and employs approximately 130,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide. Please visit our website here for more information.
Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for customers and clients worldwide . Please visit our website here for more information.
Overall Purpose Of Role:
The Architecture centre of excellence sets the technical strategy and vision for BUK, drives innovation and R&D and provides centralised enterprise and solution architecture capability across all CIO areas.
To lead and be accountable for all solutioning/end to end design activities for projects across the end-to-end software development lifecycle within BUK.
To support the lead architect within the BUK domain in defining the strategy and roadmap for this particular domain.
Key Accountabilities & Skills Required:
Strategy Development (5%)
Strategy and Plan: Under the guidance of the Lead Architect within the PCB domain, develop elements of the technical strategy, roadmaps and vision for that area that align to Board approved Purpose, Values, Risk Appetite and Policies and are consistent with wider BUK and Barclays Group standards. Citizenship and Reputation: Maintain effective relationships and deal openly with all key stakeholders, taking into account the needs of all stakeholders. Influence decisions which, in the long term, are positive for customers and clients, shareholders, colleagues and the communities in which Barclays operate.
Project Solutions Development (90%)
Provide technical consultancy for new initiatives, to assist in the definition of business requirements or technical strategies. Own end to end technical and application architecture for allocated projects within the BUK domain, identifying and engaging all technical component teams that need to contribute. Work closely with the Lead Architect and other Solution Architects, programme managers, business analysts & product to understand and challenge requirements:
Support project definition Refine business requirements in light of technical constraints and opportunities Ensure that end-to-end view is established and that all key requirements are captured. Support the definition of clear functional and non-functional requirements (e.g. capacity, availability, response times, etc.). Agree with business clients how requirements will be tested and any mitigating actions to minimise risk. Understand technical constraints of live environment / architecture, support business clients in understanding any 'requirement versus cost' trade-offs.
Design, document and communicate technical and integration solutions: Analyse project scoping statement, project requirements to help define a complete end to end solution, utilising capabilities available across BUK Identify and develop innovative solutions that will enhance the client experience and provide a cost effective solution for BUK Use analysis output to create and document candidate solutions Present complex technical ideas (both written and verbal), anticipate potential objections and persuade others to adopt the most appropriate view. Ensure candidate solutions are reviewed with peer architects and the Lead Architect Maintain ownership of the design throughout the Software Development Life Cycle, ensuring continued alignment to end-to-end designs, reviewing and approving component designs driven from the wider end to end design.
Ensure project designs are compliant to architectures and standards by: Producing required governance artefacts as dictated by the TSBIA rating assigned to the project Presenting project designs at the appropriate Design Authority. Supporting the lead architect in evolving the architectures and standards, ensuring their effectiveness alongside advancing business, security and technology landscapes.
Core Deliverables:
Full & Partial Concept solutions/Viability Assessments Non-functional requirements End to end designs Supporting Governance Artefacts
Application Management (5%)
Participate in technical implementation planning, ensuring that the integrity of live operations will be maintained. Support the handover of the system into business-as-usual (BAU) operation, providing the relevant IT service teams with information and education relating to the system technology and function. Assist in the resolution of live incidents and system problems as and when required. Identify proactive remedial strategies to prevent future system problems and to improve the quality of delivered systems.
Risk and Control:
All Barclays colleagues have to ensure that all activities and duties are carried out in full compliance with regulatory requirements, Enterprise Wide Risk Management Framework and internal Barclays Policies and Policy Standards
Your Skills and Qualifications will include
Essential Knowledge & Expertise
Architectures
Proficient in architecting solutions across disparate technologies to achieve the complex business objectives of multiple business areas:
Breadth and depth of financial services business and applications knowledge.
Able to thrive in an unstructured, ambiguous environment; adept at varying own styles to influence the optimum outcome.
Able to interface with several stakeholders and influencing their conflicting objectives in to a pragmatic solution and deliverable release schedule.
Customer Focus
Anticipates client needs; responds to and follows through on client enquiries, requests and issues:
Acts as a trusted advisor to the customer on both technical and business issues.
Fully understands the customer's products and priorities and maintains a strong cross-functional network.
Elicits regular feedback from customers and acts on the results.
Leadership
Demonstrates leadership qualities:
Able to influence project / programme stakeholders;
Champions new initiatives within own scope
Is sought for expert advice and knowledge.
Team working
Readily shares information/ knowledge. Develops highly effective working relationships:
Acts to break down barriers that may inhibit communication and productivity.
Resolves difficult situations or conflicts in a manner which leaves individuals comfortable and satisfied with both the process and the outcome.
Actively collaborates with others across organisational boundaries in pursuit of common goals.
Recognises individual contributions and provide appropriate and timely feedback.
Act as a mentor to colleagues.
Communication
Highly articulate communicator with excellent written and verbal communication:
Communicate clearly and effectively with all levels of stakeholders
Presents solutions to business and technical stakeholders.
Listens to questions and identifies the key issues.
Uses graphics in order to make complex or abstract concepts simple to understand.
Fluent in English.
Control
Has working knowledge of governance & control techniques:
Experienced in acting as the design authority for a project;
Experienced in working with the design authority for a project and acting as architecture sign-off for project level component deliverables
Able to estimate budgets for small to medium and projects;
Can identify high-impact, sensitive situations or issues and escalate appropriately;
Ensures governance, risk and control procedures are followed.
People Development
Has working knowledge of concepts and practices of people development:
Identify own development needs and proactively drive development of own capability
Helps others learn as coach and mentor;
Specific Requirements for this role:
Real world architecture experience is essential with practical experience of defining enterprise wide technical solutions, documenting them and driving them to delivery
Experience in systems integration projects is a pre-requisite
Able to exhibit technical leadership throughout the project life cycle
Experience in architecting end to end solutions including application/infrastructure integration
Able to demonstrate previous evidence of drive, energy, commitment, and enthusiasm.
Preferred Additional Knowledge & Expertise
The candidate ideally will have experience in banking applications and infrastructure, with an understanding of service management
Solution architect and enterprise architect training and certification, e.g. TOGAF, BCS accreditation.
Exposure to Service Orientated Architecture design principles, service definition and web services implementation including exposure of API components to external consumers
The Benefits
Our customers deserve the best. The same goes for our employees. That's why at Barclays you'll receive a range of benefits that include a competitive salary and all the tools, technology and support you need to succeed.
Our Culture
Everything we do is shaped by the five values of Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence and Stewardship..... click apply for full job details