Purpose
Solution Architect: “a person who, given business requirements and a specific set of goals and constraints, finds a technical solution that meets those requirements and satisfies those goals within those constraints. Then documents and works as part of a team to deliver the solution. ”Ensuring the firm’s strategy, the Technology  strategy and market technology trends are aligned in the enterprise’s processes and systems. The role is key in ensuring that the delivered IT solutions are of a high quality, secure, adhere to Technology  policies and strategy as well as being ‘fit for purpose’.

Key Dimensions  

Act as a technical authority on projects, representing the technical solution articulately across all levels.

 

The Solution Architect will advise all areas of the Technology  department and the business on architecture concepts and principles. This includes influencing key stakeholders towards changes which develop the technology platform inline with the strategy. 

Examine areas of the Technology  function, looking for opportunities to improve the services we offer to the Practice and our clients. whether that service improvement is seen as a quality/ productivity improvement or a cost reduction.  

The Solution Architect identifies and defines product selections and influences product procurement. They govern the technology platform, providing guidance and endorsement for significant changes and new solution selection required by the business or Technology. 

Brings strong business understanding to the technical delivery of Technology  solutions

Specialist level IT knowledge in multiple IT core technology areas.

Key responsibilities and challenges
1. General 
Solution Architect will keep abreast of industry developments and maintain strong links into both the Service Delivery and Practice.Carry out vendor product assessments for suitability of use within Linklaters’ IT environment.Specification of all technologies to be deployed within the Linklaters’ IT environment. As an Technology  Solution Architect,  the role is accountable for:

2. Technical
Provide design endorsement and serve as the architecture authority for Technology, covering all architecture domains. Maintain architectural and strategic trend knowledge for some of the following technology areas (at least 2):

Maintenance and communication of architecture artefacts that are aligned with the aims of the Business and Technology  strategyCollaborate closely with Technology  stakeholders in development of product roadmaps and strategy. Ensure that projects implement change that is global in nature and adhere to  appropriate regulatory/compliance requirements.Exploit the technology platform identifying areas where technology can provide “competitive advantage”. Research new technologies relevant to Linklaters business goals and the technology platform.  Maintain an excellent knowledge of Linklaters technology platform and communicate this to all areas of the business.

3. Design Authority Membership 
As core members of the Technology Architecture Design Authority team, The role is responsible for reviewing proposed solution designs and implementation plans to ensure that they are practical, achievable solutions to the problem.   In this capacity the Solution Architect is responsible for  the following:

4. Maintain an expert knowledge of the Linklaters’ technical infrastructure as well as its Business Processes. Develop and manage an appropriate design and best-in-class ‘knowledge-base’.

5. Quality assurance of 3rd party work done on behalf of the project is adequate for the proposed application or system.

6. Assist Service Delivery when required in analysing problems, identify trends and correlations and recommend changes to the technical infrastructure.