Solution Architect

Job Description

Job Title: Solution Architect
Salary: £45,624 – £52,038 per annum (pro rata if part-time)
Grade: F
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Hours: 37 hours per week

About the department

This role which sits within the ICT and Digital team in the Corporate Services Directorate. This is a newly structured team responsible for supporting and enabling the Council to deliver modern services, through resilient technology infrastructure and a wide range of digital applications which are constantly being developed and improved as digital innovations emerge. The team works collaboratively across council services, providing digital services to residents and service users whilst ensuring colleagues have the devices and access to systems to keep services running and continually improving.

As an experienced Solution Architect, you will help shape and deliver secure, effective and innovative technology solutions across Thurrock Council. Working closely with business directorates, senior stakeholders and suppliers, you will design end‑to‑end solutions that align with enterprise architecture, technical standards and security requirements, enabling improved services for residents and staff. This role plays a key part in translating business needs into robust technical designs, developing solution blueprints and roadmaps, and providing expert architectural guidance to support transformation, efficiency and value for money across a complex local authority environment.

About the Role

In this role, you will work closely with business directorates to understand their needs, identify opportunities for innovation, and design secure, effective and scalable technology solutions that support critical council services. You will be responsible for producing end‑to‑end solution designs that align with our enterprise architecture, technical standards and security requirements, while enabling real business outcomes for residents and staff.

You will act as a trusted technical advisor to senior stakeholders, supporting the development of business cases, technology roadmaps and Digital and ICT plans. Working collaboratively with internal teams, partners and third‑party suppliers, you will ensure that solutions are well‑designed, compliant and deliver value for money.

This role sits within Corporate Services and reports to the Business Systems Manager. It offers a genuine opportunity to influence how technology is used across a complex local authority, contributing directly to transformation, efficiency and service improvement.

What We’re Looking For

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Proven experience designing and overseeing end‑to‑end solution architectures, ideally within a local authority or similarly complex organisation
• Strong knowledge of application, data and infrastructure architectures, including cloud and hybrid environments
• The ability to translate business requirements into clear, robust and secure technical designs
• Experience developing solution blueprints, integration strategies and technology roadmaps
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders, suppliers and non‑technical colleagues, providing clear advice and guidance
• A good understanding of cyber security, data protection, and architectural governance
• Experience applying architecture principles and frameworks (such as TOGAF or equivalent)

You will also bring:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to influence and guide others
• Awareness of emerging technologies and how they can deliver value in a public‑sector context
• The ability to manage competing priorities, work flexibly, and proactively resolve issues

We are looking for someone who shares our values, is committed to continuous improvement, and is motivated by making a real difference to services and communities through technology.

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council, we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Internal & External): 10th May 2026

Interview Date: 18th May 2026

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact:

Sean Taylor, Business Systems Manager

sean.taylor@thurrock.gov.uk

Please provide a contact number and you will receive a return phone call.

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below:

Solution_Architect_Job_Profile_2026.pdf

If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.

About us

Why Thurrock?

Working at Thurrock Council gives you the opportunity to join an organisation that is changing at pace, one where you can make a real difference to the lives of the people we serve.

Thurrock Council is moving towards a new community leadership approach which involves linking with local partners and communities as we shape our improvement for the years ahead.

This is an exciting time to join us, to shape the future success of our changing organisation and to have a positive influence on our borough.

Our location

Thurrock is located on the north bank of the river Thames. Our urban centres are a vibrant mix of established towns and new young communities, with a diverse and growing population of around 160,000 residents.

We are an emerging cultural and arts centre, home to the production centre for the Royal Opera House and the National Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural Skills. We have excellent retail and leisure opportunities, including Lakeside Shopping Centre, country parks, forests, and marshes.

Thurrock is just half an hour journey away from the centre of London by train and well connected by road.

Staff benefits

We offer lots of staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement and hybrid working. We champion flexible working and job share applications are welcome.

Further information can be found here Employment benefits | Working for the council | Thurrock Council

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Thurrock Council is committed to equal opportunities. As a Disability Confident Employer, disabled people will be offered an interview where they meet all essential criteria on the person specification.

We serve a diverse community where people are different yet equal. Diversity underpins everything we do.

For further information about Thurrock Council please visit our website: Thurrock Council