Solution Architect

Cheshire West and Chester Council is a place where everyone can Thrive – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money, and Empowerment.

Cheshire West and Chester Council brings a fresh and energetic approach to providing top quality services for its many customers and communities. West Cheshire is a place where everyone can THRIVE – through our core values of Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Innovation, Value for Money, and Empowerment.

Cheshire West and Chester Council's Digital, Data and Technology (DDAT) department is looking to recruit an experienced and motivated Solution Architect to translate the technical requirements of the business into effective technology solutions which are informed by and inform the council’s architecture strategy and principles. The post holder will ensure that the council has effective technology solutions in place which integrate with the overarching architecture, provide access to the right data and provide the functionality that supports the effective delivery of services. This role is a Grade 13, £57,991 - £62,080 (as of April 2024 pay band figures). 

Responsibilities include: 

• Define and design DDAT solutions that meet technical requirements for the Council
• Be the subject matter specialist in solution design, using expert knowledge and experience to define technical solutions to complex business scenarios, translating business requirements into technical requirements.
• Provide advice and guidance to programmes, projects and procurement exercises to enable effective change.
• Contribute to the simplification and rationalisation of the Council’s estate through the design and implementation of fit for purpose solutions (in line with the council’s enterprise architecture (EA) strategy) enabling removal of legacy technology that is no longer fit for purpose
• Provide expertise on new and emerging technology and its practical application to support business need along with recommendations and roadmaps for proposed solutions and documenting and sharing best practice knowledge for those new solutions
• Responsible for continuous improvement of existing solutions, advocating for process improvements and helping develop solutions.  Regularly communicating new features and benefits to senior stakeholders, solution users, and other stakeholders
• Provide technical leadership and specialist skills to Programme, Project and BAU teams, including developing proof-of-concept projects to validate your proposed solutions and reviewing and validating solutions designs from other team members
• Produce written materials to a consistently high standard and with a focus on delivering complex technical information in an accessible format which aids the understanding non-specialist stakeholders. Be rigorous in the maintenance of high-quality solutions documentation and records as prescribed by the configuration management approach in the Service

The ideal candidate will be educated to degree level or equivalent and have a post-graduate ICT/DDAT qualification and/or extensive professional experience of working in the DDAT industry. Working knowledge is required in concepts and the application of Enterprise Architecture and Solution Design in a complex, multi-functional organisation along with knowledge of at least 3 of the following areas; Information and Data Management, System Design and Development, Security, Application Management, ERP systems, Email systems, AD, Networks, Storage and Backup, OS, Database Management and Microsoft Solutions.

For more detailed information on what the role involves and person specification requirements, please review the job profile.
 
By joining Cheshire West and Chester Council, you will be part of a GOLD Investors in People (IiP) organisation which is focused on building a stronger future where we all play our part in thriving, caring and sustainable communities.

To find out more information about what it is like to work for Cheshire West and Chester Council including our rewards and benefits please see www.cwcrecruitment.co.uk

No candidate will meet every single requirement - if your experience looks a little different from what we've identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we'd love to learn more about you!

Cheshire West and Chester Council are committed to equality and diversity in employment.  Please see the Equality Policy for more information.

Cheshire West and Chester Council have adopted a Local Living Wage for our employees which means that all employees will receive a minimum of £12.60 per hour for all contracted hours.

For any technical enquiries please email Sourcingteam@ecwip.co.uk and quote job reference number in all correspondence.