Solution Architect Manager

• QinetiQ Group IT provides technology design, development and support services to QinetiQ, its subsidiaries and its customers across the globe. • QinetiQ Group IT manages some 1000 applications, 20 networks, 11 domains and around 500 firewalls; they design and advise on global solutions which operate from around 100 additional networks operating in a dozen countries and at the highest in-country government security classifications. • The Solutions Architecture Manager (SAM) has a significant responsibility owning the design templates and process to ensure that QinetiQ can meet its cost and deadline obligations around solutions design, implementation and hence project delivery • Solution Architects (SA) in QinetiQ Group IT play an important role ensuring that the solutions they produce align with roadmaps established by the Enterprise Architecture (EA) practice, and compliant with EA Standards, Principals & Policies. • The SAM will ensure that all SA resources are aware of those standards, principals and policies, and adhere to the approved design process • As the majority of the existing team are single domain focussed (predominantly Network & Infrastructure), the SAM will need to motivate, support and mentor those individuals to develop the necessary multi-domain skills (Process, Data and Applications, Infrastructure, Networks and Security) to provide a more rounded design team enabling a single SA to be appointed to each project, but drawing on the knowledge and expertise of the IT Operations personnel. In addition to those of the Solutions Architect below, the SAM will be accountable for the day to day operation of the Solutions Architectural practice, ensuring the proper running of the team through 1:1, team and performance meetings, supporting team members in their personal and technical development and ensuring that resources are aligned to project and programme delivery. As an experienced people manager, the SAM will be accountable for identifying both technical and soft skill gaps within the team and supporting individual team members in their development, driving to a high performing, knowledgeable and proficient unit. This role will be accountable for ensuring quotes for design timescales / technical costs are increasingly accurate as progress is made through the design cycle, and the team are properly supported in the execution of their duties. Ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the desired level of quality are essential in this role. Accountable for the periodic review of the design templates and design process with the Chief Enterprise Architect and Operational Support / Implementation Leads, to ensure that they continue to add value and provide the correct level of detail for solutions to be easily implemented without causing unnecessary delay in the design or implementation phases. The SAM will participate in the regular review of the corporate standards with Enterprise Architecture to ensure that they are still valid, and supporting future project capability. The SAM will be accountable for ensuring designs produced by the team are compliant with the corporate standards, principals and policies and for escalating compliancy / standards issues back to Enterprise Architecture for resolution. The SAM will be required to Where the SAM determines that additional expertise is required to guarantee the successful design of a solution, they will be accountable for appointing Solution Architects from either the SA pool, negotiated from the Operational Support / Implementation teams or sourced from within the business / 3rd party service providers Solution Architect Specific accountabilities are: • Work with Business Analysts to ensure that the Business Requirements, Functional Requirements and Non-Functional Requirements are suitably documented and are fit to determine the solution, can be tested against, and detailed enough to prove that the solution will deliver to the requirements. • Defining and articulating complex solutions for large scale / high impact projects, including business, application, data and infrastructure impacts along with testing and implementation considerations through well-defined design & approval process. • Developing pragmatic, commercially feasible architectures, considering all functional as well as non-functional requirements (e.g. performance, capacity, accessibility, security, usability) • Leading a multi-disciplinary team of application, data and infrastructure professionals to implement the architecture, including those distributed across geographical boundaries • Troubleshoot complex and intermittent problems to tight timeframes whilst under pressure • Provide strategic consultation to the global QinetiQ organisation and its subsidiaries projects and service development initiatives in defining or designing business processes and functions, as well as in researching, identifying and internally marketing enabling technologies based on customer requirements Key Capabilities/Knowledge: • Strategy and architecture Consultancy: Takes responsibility for understanding client requirements, collecting data, delivering analysis and problem resolution. Identifies, evaluates and recommends options, implementing if required. Collaborates with, and facilitates stakeholder groups, as part of formal or informal consultancy agreements. Seeks to fully address client needs, enhancing the capabilities and effectiveness of client personnel, by ensuring that proposed solutions are properly understood and appropriately exploited • IT management: Identifies and manages resources needed for the planning, design and implementation of specified technical solutions and services (including process, data and applications, infrastructure, networks and security). Influences senior level customers and project teams through design management initiatives, ensuring that the solution is designed to provide agreed levels of service and data integrity. Takes full responsibility for team budgeting, estimating, planning and objective setting. Plans and manages implementation of processes and procedures, tools and techniques for monitoring and managing the performance of solution architecture services, in respect of their contribution to business performance and benefits to the business, where the measure of success depends on achieving clearly stated business/financial goals and performance targets. Monitors performance and takes corrective action where necessary • Shapes strategic thinking: Understands the organisation's objectives and aligns operational activities accordingly. Considers the ramifications of issues and longer-term impact of own work and work area. • Achieves results: Values specialist expertise and capitalises on the expert knowledge and skills of others. Contributes own expertise to achieve outcomes for the business. • Cultivates productive working relationships: Involves people, encourages them and recognises their contribution. Consults and shares information and ensures others are kept informed of issues. Works collaboratively and operates as an effective team member. • Exemplifies personal drive and integrity: Provides impartial and forthright advice. Challenges important issues constructively, stands by own position when challenged. Acknowledges mistakes and learns from them, and seeks guidance and advice when required. • Communicates with influence: Approaches negotiations with a strong grasp of the key issues, having prepared in advance. Understands the desired objectives and associated strengths and weaknesses. Anticipates the position of the other party, and frames arguments accordingly. Encourages the support of relevant stakeholders. Strives to achieve an outcome that delivers benefit for both parties. Experience & Qualifications: • Preferably Degree qualified or equivalent experience • Relevant domain level certification such as CCDP / CCIE, MCSE, OSCP, LPIC-3 etc. or equivalent providing evidence of advanced domain level knowledge and capabilities • Extensive experience in managing the design of secure solutions in a complex IT environment • Minimum of SC security clearance will be required, capability to achieve DV is desirable