The Role

At Unite Students, we create a Home for Success by leveraging technology to empower students to thrive in their university journey.

We understand that business and technology in partnership is the key to successful technology delivery. This role of Solutions Architect is critical to the success of this partnership, as we strive to implement a technology landscape that is modern, fully transparent, efficient and cost optimal to the needs of our business.

We are looking for an experienced technically proficient, and commercially minded, solutions architect to drive and own the end-to-end solutions architecture of our flagship Digital Products technology operating model. This includes all aspects of the architecture development cycle including business, applications, data / integrations, infrastructure and security architectures, aligning at all times to our enterprise strategy, principles, standards, best practices and business need.

Reporting to the Head of Architecture & Assurance, this role is a senior critical role that will play a pivotal part in shaping the technology landscape of the organisation and ensuring that IT solutions are pragmatic, scalable, secure, and efficient.

What You`ll Be Doing

• Define and own the end to end solution architecture for all things Digital Product including Customer, Colleague, and 3^rd Party facing technology solutions (web, app, portal), integrated seamlessly with our property and financial management systems and operational processes.
• You will be the responsible for innovating and enhancing our digital capabilities, using a process centric mindset, using low code / no code applications and techniques, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotic process automation.
• As a key member of our Architecture & Assurance team, you will ensure all solution proposals align with our technology strategy, architecture principles and standards, working closely with projects and enterprise architecture to maintain these artefacts and assure these solutions through Technical Design Authority.
• Be the Technical lead during any software evaluations and RFI / RFP, facilitating technical requirements capture, scoring, workshops, questions and answers etc.
• Validate and assure the technical suitability of low level solution designs proposed by internal technical leads and Implementation partners, ensuring we drive early release of value, and pragmatic solutioning at all times.
• Ensure that all technology solutions meet infrastructure, regulatory and service management requirements, implementing robust security measures to protect our data and systems.
• Keep abreast of emerging technologies and trends, and propose innovative solutions that enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
• Collaborate with technology teams, business functions, and external suppliers to implement solutions that meet business needs and align with architectural principles.

What We`re Looking for in You

• Proven track record architecting and delivering modern, cloud-based digital initiatives (backed by Salesforce, Microsoft, Oracle etc.) using omni-channel tools and techniques that drive value, acceleration and delight for our customers, colleagues and partners alike.
• A leader in low-code / no-code software engineering technologies and techniques, and a passion for delivering process centric automation and integration via API, Event Streams, ELT, RPA, AI and Machine Learning. Knowledge of tools like Snaplogic, MS PowerPlatform and Outsystems is essential.
• An experienced technical/solutions architect or related role, in a variety of industries; you will have the lessons learned from previous positions both good, and bad, and be able to apply these to this role.
• Proven experience facilitating the necessary leadership, analysis, design, and technical governance tasks related to the delivery of all aspects of the technical architecture i.e. Applications, Integrations, Infrastructure, Data, Security, Service Management etc.
• Expertise in business architecture capability modelling and process improvement.
• Proven experience helping to drive the adoption of new and emerging technology aligned to business needs, through understanding technology trends and prototyping / evaluating their practical application including low-code/no-code technologies.
• Deep understanding of agile methods and processes, and product delivery methodologies, providing advice and guidance on opportunities, impact and risks, taking account of technical and architectural debt.
• Pragmatic and results oriented. Adaptable and able to work in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment.
• Knowledge of industry standards, best practices, and emerging technologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Bachelor`s or Master`s degree desirable.
• Certifications in enterprise architecture and cloud technologies (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman, AWS, Azure, Salesforce, Oracle) are highly desirable.

What You`ll Get in Return

• A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company`s success
• 25 days` paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service
• A generous pension scheme - employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save
• Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends
• Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non-birthing parents
• Lots of other great benefits including an annual ShareSave scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!

About Unite Students

Founded in 1991, Unite Students is a FTSE 100 business and the UK`s leading provider of purpose-built student accommodation. You can find us in 25 leading university towns and cities, with 74,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.

Instinctive inclusion. We know that to create and maintain a happy healthy organisation, we have to work hard to ensure inclusion isn`t just what we do but who we are.

People make Unite Students. Employees, students and neighbours all contribute to building environments where we can all thrive.

Room for Everyone

We`re proud to be an employer that embraces individuality, and we`re passionate about building inclusive teams. We focus on creating a collaborative culture where you can be you, where your voice is heard, and where you can truly belong. We take great pride in being rated Gold Investors in People and are constantly striving to provide the highest standard of learning and development opportunities and professional pathways for our people. Building a home for success, for both our employees and students, requires exceptional people with a passion for creating room for everyone, doing what`s right, keeping US safe, and raising the bar. Join us as we build better experiences for students that live with us.

We are US.