Solution Architect – External

Purpose

Linklaters is embarking on a period of change that will see a significant transformation to the core technology platforms supporting our lawyers and business teams, including a fundamental evolution in our BDM solutions.

To help drive this period of change, Linklaters is seeking a Solution Architect to join the team on a 6-month contract to help reshape the Firm’s pitching capability.

Key Dimensions

The Solution Architect will:

• Apply technical and commercial understanding to achieve business outcomes via effective programs of change and investment.
• Provide guidance to project and business teams on the technical design of systems, ensuring solutions are “fit for purpose” and architected for global delivery.
• Communicate technical solutions articulately across all levels of stakeholder seniority and audience understanding.
• Collaborate with the Technology department and business on the role of architecture, influencing key stakeholders towards changes that develop the technology platform in line with the strategy.
• Ensure the Firm’s business strategy, technology strategy and market trends are aligned in solutions designed and delivered.
• Drive business value from strategic investments through the re-use of technology platforms.
• Contribute to the Firm’s future technology roadmaps.

Key responsibilities

Technical:

• Specify the design and architecture for technology solutions to meet business and system requirements, within any identified constraints.
• Generate and maintain design documents that provide clear guidance for both implementation project teams and technology service owners.
• Work effectively with the Project Managers to support the development of project plans, helping to devise the implementation approach, reviewing estimates and schedules, and identifying risks.
• Support product procurement by identifying vendors and acting as a technical authority in the selection process.
• Engage with our internal or external developers, influencing the SDLC and ensuring suitability of the overall solution.
• Ensure that projects implement change that is global in nature, whilst adhering to appropriate local regulatory/compliance requirements.
• Provide an assurance role, ensuring that all architecture activities and deliverables (in-house and outsourced) are produced to a high quality and are consistent with existing standards, policies and strategies.
• Exploit the existing technology platform, identifying areas where technology can provide an enhanced service.
• Act as a member of the Technology Design Authority team by reviewing proposed solution designs and implementation plans to ensure they deliver practical and achievable solutions to the business problem.
• Provide services to the Technology department that emphasise good architecture practice.
• Assist the Service Delivery team when required to evaluate problems, identify trends and correlations, and recommend changes to the technical infrastructure.

General:

• Act as a Trusted Advisor, through engagement with the Practice and Business Teams, providing strategic technology advice that is easily consumed by all stakeholder levels across the Firm.
• Evaluate technology opportunities from a commercial perspective, ensuring proposed changes add tangible business value.
• Ensure architectural standards and policies align with business goals and priorities.

Personal:

• Develop good working relationships with business stakeholders as well as all Technology colleagues.
• Maintain and develop strategic relationships with key technology suppliers.

Technical Skills

This list of duties and responsibilities above is not exhaustive.  It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for, the performance of this job. As such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required.

Application Policy

Applications and CVs (direct or via agency) are only accepted online via the portal. Queries related to this role must be directed to the recruitment team ( [email protected]) and not partners, practices or stakeholders.