Job Description
Job description
Solution Architect - Payments
Hybrid/Manchester City Centre
35 hours p/week
Want to change the world? A career that makes a difference
We're not a bank that follows the crowd. Instead, we like to stand out for all the right reasons. Our bank is built on co-operative values that stand strong today. We don't just help people with their money, but help people fight for justice and the causes they care about. Our unique customer-led Ethical Policy, has made us a natural leader in environmental and social issues today, and we're market leaders in ESG as rated by leading ESG ratings agency Sustainalytics.
We promote a hybrid working environment, which means you will work at our office in Manchester as required during critical points in project delivery and then remotely from home. To enable you to work from home, you will need have a suitable office set up which includes a desk and a chair in a location which is free from the interruptions of day-to-day life.
The role:
Specifically focusing on Payments, you will be responsible for understanding future changes to the payments landscape and translating these into the Bank's IT Strategy and roadmaps. You will have the ability to operate in both agile and waterfall methodologies defining the change needed (in the form of design decisions, project designs, roadmaps and/or technology selection) to meet stated business outcomes and align to the banks IT strategy. Additionally, you will offer forward thinking within the digital space road-mapping the direction of architecture strategies for the Bank.
Key Accountabilities:
• Thought leadership in the treasury and payments spaces, working closely with the Bank treasury and payments stakeholders, to understand the impacts of regulation and payment scheme changes on the Bank's architecture
• Develop and own the architecture of the treasury and payments domain, via roadmaps and work on associated projects
• Support engineers to design services for our customers and colleagues and deliver our Technology strategy
• Make key architectural decisions impacting individual designs, the wider portfolio or the longer term strategy
• Translate business requirements and strategy into designs and roadmaps which align to the bank's standard and principles
• Be an active member of the Bank's architecture community participating in design review and governance processes
• Co-ordinate and direct all IT design activity to ensure the solution is coherent and deliverable
• Lead resources involved in design elements including 3rd parties and other internal bank resources
• Select and propose suitable technologies and manage their approval through bank governance processes
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:
• Experience of working within the banking / payments industry, with a knowledge of the core payment schemes, including BACS, CHAPS, SWIFT, Faster Payments etc
• Experience of working in the treasury domain
• Strong consulting and influencing skills, including excellent presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at senior levels, both written and oral, within the business and IT strategy areas.
• A good working knowledge of architecture frameworks and models (e.g. Systems Engineering, TOGAF)
• Experience of projects with significant integration challenges. Deep understanding of integration approaches and technologies
• Extensive experience of at least one technical architecture discipline. Our preference would be application, and some knowledge of data and infrastructure
• Considerable experience in senior roles on major application development or systems integration (e.g. application architect, technical architect, lead designer, lead developer)
• Experience of building applications within a Cloud Infrastructure and a good understanding of Dev ops practices
• Experience of managing and reviewing 3rd party activities including commercials and deliverables
Interview Process:
- 30 minute pre-screen with a Talent Specialist
- 1hr Competency based interview (virtual)
- 1hr Technical/Presentation Interview
- Feedback & outcome
What You Can Expect From Us:
• Flexible and home working options
• Car allowance of 5.5k and private medical insurance
• 27 days holiday rising to 30 with service, plus opportunity to buy 5 extra days
• Competitive pension with up to 10% employer contribution
• Income protection / life assurance
• Wellbeing support `Help@Hand' offers mental health support, physiotherapy, GP's for both you and your family.
• 2 paid days for volunteering per year
• `MyReward' corporate discount for over 800 retailers and Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Family friendly policies and supportive working environment
• Colleague network groups committed to inclusion and diversity within our Bank.
We can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK at this time.
As a reputable employer regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, all offers of employment for this role are subject to a series of background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks.
• Rated by Morningstar Sustainalytics in the Regional Banks sub-industry with a score of 8.5 as of + October 2026.
Solution Architect - Payments
Hybrid/Manchester City Centre
35 hours p/week
Want to change the world? A career that makes a difference
We're not a bank that follows the crowd. Instead, we like to stand out for all the right reasons. Our bank is built on co-operative values that stand strong today. We don't just help people with their money, but help people fight for justice and the causes they care about. Our unique customer-led Ethical Policy, has made us a natural leader in environmental and social issues today, and we're market leaders in ESG as rated by leading ESG ratings agency Sustainalytics.
We promote a hybrid working environment, which means you will work at our office in Manchester as required during critical points in project delivery and then remotely from home. To enable you to work from home, you will need have a suitable office set up which includes a desk and a chair in a location which is free from the interruptions of day-to-day life.
The role:
Specifically focusing on Payments, you will be responsible for understanding future changes to the payments landscape and translating these into the Bank's IT Strategy and roadmaps. You will have the ability to operate in both agile and waterfall methodologies defining the change needed (in the form of design decisions, project designs, roadmaps and/or technology selection) to meet stated business outcomes and align to the banks IT strategy. Additionally, you will offer forward thinking within the digital space road-mapping the direction of architecture strategies for the Bank.
Key Accountabilities:
• Thought leadership in the treasury and payments spaces, working closely with the Bank treasury and payments stakeholders, to understand the impacts of regulation and payment scheme changes on the Bank's architecture
• Develop and own the architecture of the treasury and payments domain, via roadmaps and work on associated projects
• Support engineers to design services for our customers and colleagues and deliver our Technology strategy
• Make key architectural decisions impacting individual designs, the wider portfolio or the longer term strategy
• Translate business requirements and strategy into designs and roadmaps which align to the bank's standard and principles
• Be an active member of the Bank's architecture community participating in design review and governance processes
• Co-ordinate and direct all IT design activity to ensure the solution is coherent and deliverable
• Lead resources involved in design elements including 3rd parties and other internal bank resources
• Select and propose suitable technologies and manage their approval through bank governance processes
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required:
• Experience of working within the banking / payments industry, with a knowledge of the core payment schemes, including BACS, CHAPS, SWIFT, Faster Payments etc
• Experience of working in the treasury domain
• Strong consulting and influencing skills, including excellent presentation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at senior levels, both written and oral, within the business and IT strategy areas.
• A good working knowledge of architecture frameworks and models (e.g. Systems Engineering, TOGAF)
• Experience of projects with significant integration challenges. Deep understanding of integration approaches and technologies
• Extensive experience of at least one technical architecture discipline. Our preference would be application, and some knowledge of data and infrastructure
• Considerable experience in senior roles on major application development or systems integration (e.g. application architect, technical architect, lead designer, lead developer)
• Experience of building applications within a Cloud Infrastructure and a good understanding of Dev ops practices
• Experience of managing and reviewing 3rd party activities including commercials and deliverables
Interview Process:
- 30 minute pre-screen with a Talent Specialist
- 1hr Competency based interview (virtual)
- 1hr Technical/Presentation Interview
- Feedback & outcome
What You Can Expect From Us:
• Flexible and home working options
• Car allowance of 5.5k and private medical insurance
• 27 days holiday rising to 30 with service, plus opportunity to buy 5 extra days
• Competitive pension with up to 10% employer contribution
• Income protection / life assurance
• Wellbeing support `Help@Hand' offers mental health support, physiotherapy, GP's for both you and your family.
• 2 paid days for volunteering per year
• `MyReward' corporate discount for over 800 retailers and Cycle to Work Scheme.
• Family friendly policies and supportive working environment
• Colleague network groups committed to inclusion and diversity within our Bank.
We can only consider candidates with the right to work in the UK at this time.
As a reputable employer regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, all offers of employment for this role are subject to a series of background checks, including criminal (DBS) and financial checks.
• Rated by Morningstar Sustainalytics in the Regional Banks sub-industry with a score of 8.5 as of + October 2026.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Solution Architect - Payments position is now open for candidates interested in the Architect / Interior Designer Jobs sector. This role in Manchester offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Architect / Interior Designer Jobs is a plus.
