AI Solution Architect

Department: IT \& Change Location: Manchester, UK Description We’re looking for an experienced AI Solution Architect to join our IT Operations team and play a key role in shaping our technology and AI strategy. This is a senior, high-visibility role where you’ll act as the technical authority across AI, cloud, data and SaaS , helping turn business strategy into secure, scalable and practical technology solutions. Key Responsibilities * Lead the architecture of AI and data initiatives, from data ingestion through to deployment and monitoring. * Shape our technology roadmap across AWS, Azure, Snowflake, Databricks and SaaS platforms. * Set architecture standards, principles and guardrails, while supporting engineering teams to apply them effectively. * Provide technical leadership on complex, multi-platform solutions, APIs and integrations. * Work closely with senior stakeholders, including the Head of IT Operations, CTO and Board. * Lead technical input into vendor selection, buy vs build decisions and technology investments. * Ensure solutions meet the security, resilience and regulatory expectations of a financial services environment, including DORA and the EU AI Act. * Help optimise cloud costs and ensure our technology estate remains scalable and fit for the future. What We're Looking For You’ll bring extensive experience in solution or enterprise architecture, ideally with significant financial services experience. You’ll have strong hands-on and architectural expertise across AWS and Azure, alongside experience with modern data platforms such as Snowflake and Databricks. Experience with AI/ML, MLOps and responsible AI is important, as is the ability to operate confidently with both technical teams and senior business stakeholders. We’re looking for someone who can think strategically but remains pragmatic and delivery-focused. As well as someone who can make complex technology easy to understand and influence decisions without relying on authority.