• Job Description

  Req#: M9980-25-0127?language=en&page=687&sort=publicationDateDesc

  Job summary

  The Solution Architect will act as the organisational lead for the design, implementation and maintenance of digital technologies, tools, and solutions in order to deliver an efficient, effective, and compliant Research Systems Programme (RSP) and other digital initiatives. They will provide technical leadership for transforming HRA's RSP using agile methods, cutting edge technology, and driving change via a multidisciplinary delivery team. They will ensure that the technology solutions align with organisation's goals and challenges and provide value for the public purse.

  At this role level, you will:

  1. ensure a problem and the desired outcomes are properly defined
  2. ensure the scope of a solution meets the organisation's requirements
  3. stay up to date on technology trends and approaches

  1. find and use emerging technologies and approaches

  1. understand organisational objectives and external drivers, for example, legislation or financial constraints
  2. work with others to develop business and technical strategies
  3. work within business and technical constraints
  4. design and document solutions so they can be implemented by the organisation
  5. communicate and work effectively with stakeholders
  6. manage risks and decisions in a transparent way

  1. build relationships with senior stakeholders across different business or technical areas in the organisation
  2. This post is available on a home-worker basis, with the requirement to visit any HRA site as needed.

  Main duties of the job

  work to support wider organisational objectives beyond your immediate goals.

  track emerging internal and external issues over time that could affect the work of teams across the organisation

  take action to solve or mitigate problems by influencing colleagues across the organisation

  communicate with technical and non-technical stakeholders at all levels, and across organisations, using architecture communication techniques.

  work collaboratively in a group, actively networking with others.

  make and guide architectural design decisions characterised by medium risk and complexity

  use architectural governance and assurance to make design decisions and manage technical risks at the appropriate level.

  lead the framing of a problem characterised by high complexity, complication, or risk so that a solution can be created.

  define strategies or visions across teams that align with organisational objectives.

  lead and guide others in creating technical designs that achieve organisational objectives.

  You are flexible and capable of proactive and reactive communication.

  define solution architecture and design strategy and be central to assuring services.

  Can evolve and define governance; take responsibility for working with and supporting other staff in wider governance

  Day to day responsibility for systems that hold a significant amount of data related to research applications.

  About us

  Working at the HRA, we are reminded daily of how important life is. As a flexible working friendly organisation, we want to be sure that you can work in a way that is best for you, not just us and the work we do.

  We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know from experience that different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger, more creative workplace that helps us to deliver the best services. We welcome applications which represent the rich diversity of our community: age, disability, gender identity and expression, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation and other diverse characteristics, and we have policies in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process.

  When applying to work here, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate a flexible working arrangement - if it works for us, we will do our best to make it work for you.

  Please note, if applying to our Manchester, Nottingham or Bristol locations, we are only able to offer the role as home based.

  Details

  Date posted

  13 August 2025

  Pay scheme

  Agenda for change

  Band

  Band 8b

  Salary

  £64,455 to £74,896 a year

  Contract

  Permanent

  Working pattern

  Full-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working, Compressed hours

  Reference number

  980-HRA7403484-C

  Job locations

  Bristol

  Bristol

  BS1 6PN

  
  

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  This role sits within HRA Digital. The HRA Digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRAs portfolio or national information systems for health research. This includes a major programme to build a new Integrated Research Application and Workflow system and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems (IRAS and HARP).

  The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors.

  To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached.In submitting your application with us, please note the following:We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies.We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorshiparrangement.Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered.

  The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number ofapplications.

  Job description

  Job responsibilities

  This role sits within HRA Digital. The HRA Digital directorate is responsible for developing, delivering and supporting complex solutions within the HRAs portfolio or national information systems for health research. This includes a major programme to build a new Integrated Research Application and Workflow system and to achieve the successful migration and eventual closure of current systems (IRAS and HARP).

  The HRA Digital team is a collaborative, supportive team consisting of HRA employees, secondees, contractors and vendors.

  To find out more and to understand the full duties of the role, please refer to the job description attached.In submitting your application with us, please note the following:We currently do not accept applications via recruitment agencies.We do not hold a sponsorship licence and are unable to offer employment under any sponsorshiparrangement.Where applicants fail to demonstrate how they meet any one of the essential criteria of the person specification, the application will not be shortlisted. You will be considered based only on the information in your application form. CVs will not be considered.

  The HRA reserves the right to close this vacancy early should it receive a sufficient number ofapplications.

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Professional qualification at master's level in an information related discipline or equivalent experience
  • Professional certification in architecture frameworks (TOGAF, AWS Certified Solution Architect or similar)

  Knowledge, Skills and Expertise

  Essential

  • Technical Knowledge: Proficiency in software development, cloud computing, data architecture and system integration
  • Expertise: Proficiency in architecture frameworks, security protocols and emerging technologies

  Experience

  Essential

  • Significant experience in IT architecture, software development and system solution design
  • Proven track record of delivering successful projects in a leadership role

  Knowledge, Skills and Expertise

  Essential

  • Problem-solving skills: Ability to design scalable, secure, accessible and efficient solution within business and financial constraints

  Experience

  Essential

  • Considerable experience in a management role in a large client-facing service provider. Significant experience in managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with stakeholders

  Analytical and Judgemental Skills:

  Essential

  • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty.
  • Strong analytical ability to assess business needs and translate them to deliverable technical solutions.
  • Sound judgement in evaluating risks, costs and benefits of proposed solutions.
  • Pragmatic approach to deal with extremely complex situations with the ability to anticipate challenges and devise contingency plans

  Interpersonal Skills:

  Essential

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to understand and interpret complex information and make relevant to a range of stakeholders.
  • Expert ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

  Other

  Essential

  • Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity

  Person Specification

  Qualifications

  Essential

  • Professional qualification at master's level in an information related discipline or equivalent experience
  • Professional certification in architecture frameworks (TOGAF, AWS Certified Solution Architect or similar)

  Knowledge, Skills and Expertise

  Essential

  • Technical Knowledge: Proficiency in software development, cloud computing, data architecture and system integration
  • Expertise: Proficiency in architecture frameworks, security protocols and emerging technologies

  Experience

  Essential

  • Significant experience in IT architecture, software development and system solution design
  • Proven track record of delivering successful projects in a leadership role

  Knowledge, Skills and Expertise

  Essential

  • Problem-solving skills: Ability to design scalable, secure, accessible and efficient solution within business and financial constraints

  Experience

  Essential

  • Considerable experience in a management role in a large client-facing service provider. Significant experience in managing cross-functional teams and collaborating with stakeholders

  Analytical and Judgemental Skills:

  Essential

  • Excellent organisational skills with the ability to prioritise against a background of change and uncertainty.
  • Strong analytical ability to assess business needs and translate them to deliverable technical solutions.
  • Sound judgement in evaluating risks, costs and benefits of proposed solutions.
  • Pragmatic approach to deal with extremely complex situations with the ability to anticipate challenges and devise contingency plans

  Interpersonal Skills:

  Essential

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to understand and interpret complex information and make relevant to a range of stakeholders.
  • Expert ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

  Other

  Essential

  • Commitment to inclusivity and valuing diversity

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Health Research Authority

  Address

  Bristol

  Bristol

  BS1 6PN

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.hra.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

  Employer details

  Employer name

  Health Research Authority

  Address

  Bristol

  Bristol

  BS1 6PN

  
  

  Employer's website

  https://www.hra.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

• About the company

  National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). The founding principles were that services should be comprehensive, universal and free at the point of delivery—a health service based on clinical need, not ability to pay. Each service provides a comprehensive range of health services, free at the point of use for people ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom apart from dental treatment and optical care.

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