Lead Solution Architect

Exciting things continue to happen within the Digital Services Team at Derbyshire County Council, and we’re now looking for an exceptional Lead Solutions Architect to help shape, govern, and drive forward our enterprise‑wide technical landscape.

Following a major organisational and digital strategy review, we’re investing in modern tools, innovative platforms, and new ways of working to deliver a large‑scale transformation programme. Our ambition is to build modern, reliable, secure, and user‑centred digital services for Derbyshire’s communities, and this senior role is central to achieving that vision.

As a Lead Solutions Architect, you will play a pivotal leadership role within the Strategy & Architecture function. You’ll define and assure architectural direction across complex programmes, mentor architects, set standards, strengthen governance, and ensure our technology decisions align with Council strategy, organisational priorities, and public value.

What you'll do

• Lead the technical design of enterprise systems and services, justifying and communicating design decisions at all levels of the organisation.
• Provide strategic architectural leadership, ensuring all technical work aligns with Digital Services and Council-wide strategies.
• Guide and mentor architects and technical specialists, strengthening capability across the Architecture function.
• Assure service and system quality, using governance, standards, patterns, guardrails, and principles to steer delivery.
• Work closely with senior managers, organisational leaders, suppliers, and partners to shape and influence strategic initiatives.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships across the Council, supporting transformation opportunities and ensuring that technology delivers best value for money.
• Lead the exploration, evaluation, and adoption of new technologies to promote continuous improvement, innovation, and modern digital delivery.

What you'll bring

Extensive experience in Enterprise and Solutions Architecture, including:

• Applying and maturing Enterprise Architecture frameworks across large organisations.
• Leading technical design functions and assuring complex IT or digital delivery programmes.
• Managing and developing skilled technical teams, promoting a high‑performance, customer‑first culture.
• Producing clear, accessible reports, options appraisals and business cases for senior stakeholders and elected members.
• Maintaining accurate technical and financial information and managing supplier relationships effectively.

Advanced skills and knowledge, including:

• Expert-level communication across technical and non‑technical audiences, influencing outcomes at all levels.
• Ability to define and evolve architectural strategy, patterns, roadmaps, principles, and governance models.
• Expertise in designing systems with high levels of business and technical complexity and risk.
• Deep understanding of architectural patterns, capabilities, technologies and how they drive organisational change.
• Strong leadership skills — inspiring, motivating and developing colleagues while driving continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or recognised IT qualification, or substantial senior-level experience.
• Professional architecture or management certifications (TOGAF, ITIL, Agile/Scrum) are desirable.

Why join us?

Working for local government offers benefits and stability few sectors can match. We offer:

• 27 days annual leave, rising to 32 after five years’ service
• Flexi time, supporting work–life balance with up to 2 additional days leave per month
• A generous Local Government Pension Scheme
• Guaranteed incremental annual pay increases
• Hybrid working and a supportive team culture
• Strong commitment to professional development, including access to training, certification pathways, mentoring, and architecture communities of practice
• Cycle to work scheme and discounts at selected leisure centres
• And much more

If you’re a strategic thinker with a passion for transforming public services and want to work in a collaborative, purpose‑driven environment where your work directly benefits local communities — we’d love to hear from you.

Provisional Interview Date: Week Commencing 30 March 2026

Due to this post having administrative privileges within the Council’s IT systems, and in order to comply with the Public Services Network requirements, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Basic criminal record check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

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Applications for this role must include a CV, it’s easier than ever to apply! Just click on “Apply for this job”, register and upload your CV.

This role currently offers hybrid working options which will be to subject service needs, there'll be an opportunity to discuss working arrangements for this position at interview.

Important: Derbyshire County Council holds a sponsorship licence, but this role does not offer visa sponsorship. Please apply only if you already have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship, as applications that do not meet this requirement will be rejected.

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.