80164 - Senior Solution Architect (DSO)

This Senior Solution Architect (DSO) will report to the Architecture Manager and will work within the Strategy Regulation and Support Services directorate based in either our London, Ipswich or Crawley office. You will be a permanent employee.

You will attract a salary of £90,000.00 and a bonus of 7.5%. This role can also offer blended working after probationary period (6 months) - 3 days in the office and 2 remote

Close Date: 09/02/2025

We also provide the following additional benefits

25 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays Reservist Leave - Additional 18 days full pay and 22 unpaid  Personal Pension Plan – Personal contribution rates of 4% or 5% (UK Power Networks will make a corresponding contribution of 8% or 10%) Tenancy Loan Deposit scheme Tax efficient benefits: cycle to work scheme Season ticket loan Occupational Health support Switched On – scheme providing discount on hundreds of retailers products. Discounted access to sports and social clubs Employee Assistance Programme.

Background to the role

Exceptional levels of change are occurring in the energy sector. To meet the British Government's goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, it is necessary to decarbonise electricity, transportation, and domestic heating. Achieving this objective depends on integrating Low Carbon Technologies (LCTs) into the distribution networks. As these innovations are adopted, there is an urgent need for advanced technologies that provide near real-time visibility and control over the network. Despite these changes, security of supply, affordability, and sustainability remain the three priorities of an effective, balanced energy system.

UK Power Networks has adopted a flexibility-first approach to planning the future of its network and is prepared to invest significantly in technology to improve its solutions. This ensures new customers can easily connect with the network while minimising access costs and maintaining a safe, reliable supply for the existing 8.3 million customers.

Achieving this requires innovative thinking regarding network operation. Therefore, in April 2023, UK Power Networks launched the first independent Distribution Systems Operator (DSO) to provide sufficient electricity capacity at the lowest cost across London, the East, and the Southeast of England to facilitate the transition to Net Zero. The DSO's three main roles include leveraging data and insights to address future capacity needs and local area plans, developing markets through flexibility products and services, and managing network operations.

Ofgem recognises the critical role of digitalisation, particularly data, in the energy sector, emphasizing its potential when made open and accessible to all partners. Consequently, organisations within the sector face increasing pressure to publish their data and forecasts for easy access and utilisation by others. Additionally, the frequency of large dataset sharing between organisations is steadily increasing.

Delivery of data products, services, and solutions within each of the four pillars relies on foundational enabling capabilities. These plans encompass Data and Information, Technology and Cyber and People and Process. Although not necessarily transformational, these elements are crucial for the success of the ongoing digitalisation journey.

With a growing array of technologies available and in development to address UK Power Networks' challenges; efficient, sustainable, and consistent implementation is essential. This will ensure benefits are realised across the DSO organisation and the broader energy sector. Therefore, aligning Digital, Data, and Technology Strategies is of utmost importance.

This position, within the IT Architecture function, will support the DSO organisation and help advance its goals.

Job Purpose

We are looking for an experienced Senior Solution Architect to enhance our Architecture function. This established role is dedicated to strengthening the impact of, and providing recommendations on, technology solutions within the DSO.

UK Power Networks' Technology strategy is evolving, focusing on achieving our strategic goals regarding digitalisation and facilitating the Net Zero transition. Working within this team presents an excellent opportunity to influence and lead the delivery of crucial capabilities while gaining experience in operating at scale within a regulated environment.

You will define and communicate the current and target state architectures across the enterprise to the broader architecture team. You will ensure that the solutions align with, and are informed by, our overarching strategy and architecture principles, supporting organisational goals. In your capacity as a Senior Solution Architect, you will provide guidance, lead engagements, build relationships, and provide service excellence to our partners. You will ensure that the solutions align with, and are informed by, our overall strategy and architecture, supporting the goals of the DSO.

You will assist DSO projects to deliver swiftly, providing subject matter expertise or leading the delivery of the Solution Architecture, utilising existing patterns and creating new ones as needed.

You will take the lead on new solution and existing system transformation projects, expected to demonstrate comprehensive technology and solutions, and provide direction and advice for digital solutions. Using existing frameworks and defining new patterns. You will play a pivotal role in shaping and designing DSO solutions while ensuring best practice design and overseeing successful implementation.

Dimensions

Direct reports: none. Budget: none directly, influencing £2m in solutions and projects. Portfolio: IT Technology.

Principal Accountabilities

Influence technology strategy by collaborating with business teams and leadership, to understand our needs and ensure alignment with technical solutions. Engage with business counterparts in aligned directorates to become a trusted advisor and Solution partner. Provide recommendations to maximise the value of technology assets via their implementation, access and utilisation. Lead complex and technically challenging architectural transformations, coordinating technical SMEs across multiple vendors and internal technology teams. Lead on the design and implementation of enterprise solutions and roadmaps for different technology domains. Produce roadmaps that allow frequent and incremental delivery of value to the technology landscape. Perform architecture assessments of the existing technology landscape to identify any gaps that may exist and provide recommendations on remediation. Ensure proposed solutions are compliant with the UKPN Architecture principles and Cyber security standards. Evaluate and recommend technology solutions that align with UKPN strategic goals and roadmap. Develop and maintain technical documentation, including architecture diagrams and specifications. Work with partners, scrum masters, projects managers and product owners to define technical solutions designs. Translate roadmaps into packages of work that allow frequent incremental delivery of value to be included in change programmes/projects. Track, analyse and monitor technology performance metrics of technology solutions and products. Seek and use feedback, while supporting adaptive design and agile engineering practices to guide the cooperation of programs and teams towards a shared technical vision. Coaching skills to upskill junior members of the team across technical, strategy and delivery.

Nature & Scope

We ask that you have a hands-on approach to provide direction and guidance, ensuring that architecture strategy and projects align with the organisation's goals and Architecture and Security principles and standards. Additionally, you will assist in the communication of the Technology strategy to senior leaders and the broader business.

You will lead the specification and design of next-generation solutions, contributing to the Technology Landscape and Business capabilities to support the successful development of the Enterprise Architecture strategy. You will be an important contributor in a diverse team, collaborating with Cloud Architects, Infrastructure and Network Architects, Security Architects, data science specialists, solution developers, and partners - including DSO business leads and engineers. The primary goal of this role is to deliver an optimal solution architecture by implementing strategies and projects to establish UK Power Networks as the leading UK DSO.

You will have experience using technology to solve business problems and must build robust relationships with senior partners across UKPN, several important external stakeholders, strategic suppliers, and contractors. Consequently, you will be required to collaborate at all levels of the organisation.

UKPN aspires to be recognised as an industry leader in technology. Above all, the role holder must possess the capability to lead with vision and motivation to achieve this objective and create long-term value.

Knowledge of the Cloud, Digital front end, back-end applications and Middleware Knowledge of Cyber Security architecture, System Integration, Access and Identity management Expertise in complex systems integration and Data architecture and analytics Expertise of API standards and protocols for building and integrating complex systems and architecture Knowledge of IT-OT solutions (SCADA, ANM, DERMS ), other will be a bonus. Convey complex technical concepts to colleagues, up to senior leadership level. Excellent collaboration and stakeholder management skills Experience of developing, syndicating and communicating architectures, designs and proposals for action Experience working with business solution vendors, technology vendors and products within the market An understanding of industry architecture frameworks, such as TOGAF or ArchiMate Bachelor's degree, or equivalent experience Experience as a Senior Architect or similar role in a large, complex IT environment

Qualifications & Experience

Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems or a STEM field (or equivalent project-related experience). Hands-on experience in IT management, with skills in low carbon technologies. Knowledge of IT-OT solutions (SCADA, ANM, DERMS, etc) will be a bonus. Expertise in complex systems integration and renewables technology integration. Expertise of API standards and protocols for building and integrating complex systems and architecture. Knowledge of the Cloud, Digital front end, back-end applications and Middleware. Knowledge of Cyber-security architecture, System Integration, Access and Identity management. Excellent collaboration and partner management skills. Experience of developing, syndicating and communicating architectures, designs and proposals for action. Experience working with business solution vendors, technology vendors and products within the energy market. In-depth experience designing and implementing solutions, particularly utilising Microsoft Azure platforms and applications. Experience as a Senior Architect or similar role in a complex IT environment. Experience of applying Enterprise Architecture frameworks i.e. TOGAF or ArchiMate. Experience leading the review of technical designs in order to approve their implementation. Experience in providing oversight and advice to other Architects or vendors who are undertaking the design of new, or redesign of existing systems. Business acumen, and the ability to communicate to executives, business domain stakeholders and technical staff alike. Experience within the Utilities and Electricity distribution industry would be beneficial. Assess rapidly changing technologies and apply them to business needs. An understanding of Agile methodologies with experience working in an Agile team.

Key Behaviours & Competencies

Experience communicating between technical and non-technical staff and suppliers. Turn business problems into a solution design. Seek out opportunities to create effective change and to help people make informed decisions. Able to convey complex information with enthusiasm to a wide audience. Ability to influence and persuade peers and leadership. Understand the long-term ("big picture") and short-term perspectives of situations. Quickly comprehend the functions and capabilities of new technologies.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

Managers and supervisors carry both legal and company responsibilities for ensuring the health and safety of their employees, those under their control and those who might be affected by the work undertaken, i.e. public, visitors and employees of other organisations. This includes briefing individuals working for them and ensuring there is the necessary understanding, competence and application of requirements to work safely and without harming the environment.

Employees will ensure they understand the health and safety risks involved in their work activities and their responsibility to apply the controls needed to manage those risks to acceptable levels. Similarly where work activities can have an adverse impact upon the environment, and where there are legal requirements, employees will understand those impacts and the controls they must ensure are applied.

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