Solution Architect - Clara Technology & Solutions - Senior Manager

Grade:

B

Job Title:

Solution Architect

Team:

Clara Technology & Solutions

Locations:

UK

Capability:

Audit

Service line:

Audit Central

Contract type:

Permanent

Summary of role purpose:

KPMG Audit Clara Technology & Solutions builds technology solutions in close collaboration with the Audit function. The team blends audit expertise with technology capability to understand the challenges auditors face and develop strategically important products that simplify delivery while enhancing Audit Quality.

The Solution Architect will design and guide secure, scalable and future-ready solutions for audit technology services. The role will work with audit business teams, architects, technology teams, delivery teams and vendors to shape architectures that deliver measurable value and remain robust, maintainable and aligned to KPMG technology policies and standards.

As a trusted advisor, the Solution Architect will help resolve complex delivery and design challenges, support teams to deliver with confidence, and contribute to a growing portfolio of audit technology products and services.

Description of the role:

The Role

The Solution Architect is responsible for defining end-to-end solution architectures across audit technology initiatives. The role combines business understanding, technical breadth, architecture governance and delivery support to ensure solutions are feasible, secure, scalable and aligned to strategic and operational needs.

The role requires strong knowledge of wider technology trends and the KPMG technology ecosystem, including application, integration, data, technology and security architecture. The Solution Architect will build conceptual and detailed solution architecture designs, support governance and assurance processes, and work closely with project teams to translate business requirements into practical technical solutions.

Responsibilities

Solution Architecture Design

•             Define end-to-end solution architectures for audit technology projects and portfolio initiatives.

•             Create and develop conceptual and detailed solution architecture design documents.

•             Ensure solutions are secure, scalable, robust, maintainable and future-ready.

•             Apply architecture best practice across application, integration, data, technology and security domains.

Business and Technology Translation

•             Work with other architects, technical SMEs and project teams to analyze business requirements and translate them into feasible technical requirements.

•             Shape solution options that meet business needs while aligning with architecture principles, delivery constraints and technology standards.

•             Explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences in a way that is relevant, easy to consume and compelling.

Governance, Standards and Assurance

•             Ensure alignment with the Firm’s technology policies, architecture standards and delivery governance expectations.

•             Contribute to governance processes where applicable, including helping projects navigate the Technology Assurance Process.

•             Champion architectural quality and help ensure architectural guidelines and best practices are followed during the development and implementation of technology initiatives.

•             Support the identification and management of technical debt, including its causes, measurement and remediation options such as decommissioning.

Technology Strategy and Market Awareness

•             Maintain a high level of technical knowledge, including current, emerging and future technology market trends and their impact on the business.

•             Assess emerging technologies and identify opportunities to improve audit technology services and delivery outcomes.

•             Apply knowledge of SaaS, cloud hosting, integration technologies, cloud computing platforms, microservices architecture and modern development practices.

Delivery Support and Risk Management

•             Work closely with the Audit Lead Architect, development teams, other architects, and third-party suppliers.

•             Identify business and project risks and mitigate or communicate them as necessary.

•             Ensure progress updates are communicated to relevant parties both formally and informally.

•             Carry out additional duties as may occur from time to time as instructed and agreed by leadership.

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

•             Develop relationships across KPMG business and technology functions.

•             Use stakeholder management skills to ensure end-to-end solutions are designed and developed to meet requirements and best-practice standards.

•             Leverage internal networks across KPMG to access additional expertise where required.

Due to the nature of the position, you may be working at/visiting a client site and/or other KPMG offices.

The person:

Experience and knowledge requirements:

•             Experience in Solution Architecture roles.  (E)

•             Strong all-round competence across application, integration, data, technology, and security architecture.  (E)

•             Good understanding of SaaS, cloud hosting, and integration technologies.  (E)

•             Knowledge of cloud computing platforms, microservices architecture and modern development practices.  (D)

•             Business-focused approach, with the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and business stakeholders.  (E)

•             Experience working with Agile SDLC methods.  (E)

•             Understanding common business analysis techniques and approaches.  (D)

•             Good understanding of project management concepts, including plans, risks, assumptions and dependencies.  (D)

•             Good understanding of technical debt, including its causes, how to measure it, and remedial actions including decommissioning.  (D)

•             Good oral and written communication skills.  (E)

•             Good interpersonal and leadership skills.  (E)

•             Ability to work with ambiguity at the beginning of projects and provide clarity of direction.  (E)

•             Practical understanding of GDPR and ISO 27001 is desirable.  (D)

D = Desirable   E = Essential

Behavioural Attributes and Skills:

•             Trusted advisor mindset, able to guide teams through complex architecture and delivery challenges.

•             Collaborative working style with the ability to operate across audit business teams, architects, engineers, delivery teams and third-party suppliers.

•             Pragmatic and delivery-focused, balancing architecture quality with project constraints and business outcomes.

•             Clear and confident communicator able to engage both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

•             Proactive approach to risk identification, governance support and continuous improvement.

•             Curiosity and commitment to staying current with technology trends and their relevance to audit technology delivery.

Qualifications:

Relevant certifications such as ITIL, TOGAF and Microsoft Certified: Azure Solution Architect are beneficial but not required.

D = Desirable   E = Essential

KPMG overview:

KPMG in the UK is part of a global network of firms that offers Audit, Legal, Tax and Advisory services. Through the talent of over 16,000 colleagues, we bring our creativity, insight and experience to solve our clients’ and communities’ biggest problems. We’ve been doing this for more than 150 years.

We aim to be universally recognised as a place for great people to do their best work. A firm known for our collaborative and inclusive culture, using technology to empower and equip our people to deliver outstanding work with real flexibility – through inspiring workspaces, innovative ways to collaborate and hybrid ways of working.

With offices across the UK, we work with everyone from small start- ups and individuals to major multinationals, in virtually every industry imaginable. Our work is often complex, yet our mission is simple: To support the UK in a connected world. It guides everything we do, underpinned by our values: Courage, Integrity, Excellence, Together and For Better.

KPMG are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunity employer and we seek to attract and retain the best people from the widest possible talent pool.

As a member of the Business Disability Forum we're committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the Recruitment Process.

We pride ourselves on being a place where your individuality is valued; you can be yourself and still achieve your potential. We believe that your individuality helps us to deliver the best results to our clients. Diversity of background, diversity of experience, diversity of perspective - that's the KPMG difference.