Solution Architect

Job Title:Solution Architect
Salary:per annum(pro rata if part-time)
Grade:F
Contract Type:Permanent
Working Hours:37 hours per week

About the department

This role which sits within the ICT and Digital team in the Corporate Services Directorate. This is a newly structured team responsible for supporting and enabling the Council to deliver modern services through resilient technology infrastructure and a wide range of digital applications which are constantly being developed and improved as digital innovations emerge. The team works collaboratively across council services providing digital services to residents and service users whilst ensuring colleagues have the devices and access to systems to keep services running and continually improving.

As an experienced Solution Architect you will help shape and deliver secure effective and innovative technology solutions across Thurrock Council. Working closely with business directorates senior stakeholders and suppliers you will design endtoend solutions that align with enterprise architecture technical standards and security requirements enabling improved services for residents and staff. This role plays a key part in translating business needs into robust technical designs developing solution blueprints and roadmaps and providing expert architectural guidance to support transformation efficiency and value for money across a complex local authority environment.

About the Role

In this role you will work closely with business directorates to understand their needs identify opportunities for innovation and design secure effective and scalable technology solutions that support critical council services. You will be responsible for producing endtoend solution designs that align with our enterprise architecture technical standards and security requirements while enabling real business outcomes for residents and staff.

You will act as a trusted technical advisor to senior stakeholders supporting the development of business cases technology roadmaps and Digital and ICT plans. Working collaboratively with internal teams partners and thirdparty suppliers you will ensure that solutions are welldesigned compliant and deliver value for money.

This role sits within Corporate Services and reports to the Business Systems Manager. It offers a genuine opportunity to influence how technology is used across a complex local authority contributing directly to transformation efficiency and service improvement.

WhatWereLooking For

Werelooking for someone who has:

• Proven experience designing and overseeing endtoend solution architectures ideally within a local authority or similarly complex organisation
• Strong knowledge of application data and infrastructure architectures including cloud and hybrid environments
• The ability to translate business requirements into clear robust and secure technical designs
• Experience developing solution blueprints integration strategies and technology roadmaps
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders suppliers and nontechnical colleagues providing clear advice and guidance
• A good understanding of cyber security data protection and architectural governance
• Experience applying architecture principles and frameworks (such as TOGAF or equivalent)

You will also bring:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• A collaborative approach with the ability to influence and guide others
• Awareness of emerging technologies and how they can deliver value in a publicsector context
• The ability to manage competing priorities work flexibly and proactively resolve issues

We are looking for someone who shares our values is committed to continuous improvement and is motivated by making a real difference to services and communities through technology.

Benefits of Working with Us

At Thurrock Council we value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Generous annual leave entitlement
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Flexible and hybrid working opportunities (where applicable)
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Employeeassistanceprogramme and wellbeing support
• Staff discounts and local offers
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

Important Dates

Closing Date (Internal & External):10th May 2026

Interview Date: 18th May 2026

Additional Information

If you have any questions about the role or interview process please contact:

Sean Taylor Business Systems Manager

Please provide a contact number and you will receive a return phone call.

To view the Job Profile and Person Specification please follow the link below:

If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications.