Senior Solution Designer

Job details Responsible to Solution Architect Location Kedleston Road, Derby Campus Closing date Tuesday 14 April 2026 Salary £43,391 to £53,994 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £62,093 per annum). Job grade MPS 2 Reference 0080-26 Contract type Permanent Post type Full-time Adaptive working type Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location. Currently, this role offers the opportunity to work remotely, normally 2 day/s a week in line with our Adaptive Working Framework. About the University We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better. The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region. We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills. About the College/Department Digital Solutions & Services are responsible for providing the digital platform to enable the best possible service to staff, students and stakeholders across the University and beyond. We take a collaborative approach to developing strategic goals to provide a diverse range of information technology and business services designed to support learning, teaching and research at the University of Derby. Digital Solutions & Services are responsible for ensuring that the University’s IT capability is fit for purpose, future focused and able to protect, support and enhance the full breadth of services that will be delivered either on campus or digitally online with contributions across the department. We aim to assist students, teaching staff, support departments and collaborative partners to ensure we are making an impact on the University’s current and future digital landscape. About the Team Our Solution Architecture function plays a critical role in shaping the University’s digital future. We design and govern high-quality, integrated technology solutions that meet the evolving needs of students, staff and the wider institution. The team ensures that all solutions align with our architectural strategies, security standards and long-term digital roadmaps, enabling the University to deliver reliable, scalable and innovative services. Within this function, the Senior Solution Designer leads the creation of robust, future-focused solution designs that translate complex business problems into clear, actionable technical architectures. Working closely with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, the team provides expert guidance, horizon-scanning for emerging technologies, and ensures that every solution is strategically aligned, technically sound and commercially viable. Through strong communication and trusted engagement, the team instils confidence in the design process and the solutions we deliver. About the role The Senior Solution Designer plays a pivotal role in shaping the University’s digital landscape by translating complex business needs into high-quality, future-proof technology solutions. You will lead the full solution design lifecycle from initial concept, feasibility assessment and benefits identification through to detailed specification, testing support and successful embedding of new systems and processes. A key purpose of the role is to ensure that every solution aligns with the University’s architectural standards, strategic direction and long-term digital capabilities. Working closely with business units, technical experts and the Solution Architect, the Senior Solution Designer will analyse existing “as-is” processes, define improved “to-be” workflows, and design technology solutions that enhance performance and deliver measurable value. The role requires presenting solution options with clarity and influence, negotiating with stakeholders to arrive at the most appropriate design, and ensuring that commercial, technical, architectural and operational considerations are fully balanced. The post holder will also support User Acceptance Testing, guide colleagues in understanding system administration responsibilities, and contribute to benefit tracking throughout the project lifecycle. A core responsibility of the role is to provide horizon scanning and benchmarking to identify emerging technologies and evolving best practice, ensuring the University remains informed and prepared for future opportunities. As Senior Solution Designer, you will also contribute to the development of the University’s Solution Architecture Framework, helping to define consistent processes, templates and ways of working that strengthen delivery across the institution. In the medium to long term, the post holder will be expected to drive continuous improvement in solution design practice and support the successful implementation of transformational change initiatives. While the role does not include formal line management, the Senior Solution Designer will act as a mentor to less experienced colleagues, supporting their development and ensuring high-quality, consistent solution design across the team. The position offers significant opportunities for professional growth, including exposure to enterprise-level architecture, cloud-based service models, business process redesign, and complex digital transformation programmes. About You You will be an experienced solution design professional with a strong track record of shaping and delivering high-quality technology solutions in complex organisations. You’ll bring a relevant degree or equivalent qualification/professional experience, alongside recognised qualifications in areas such as business analysis, solution design, software engineering or technical certification. A deep, applied understanding of Solution Architecture is essential, as is the ability to work confidently across the full design lifecycle from requirements gathering and process mapping through to testing, benefits identification and successful implementation. You will have substantial experience operating within an information or technology design environment, balancing competing priorities and making informed decisions in resource-limited settings. Your background will include developing process maps and workflows, defining acceptance criteria, and supporting both technical and non-technical colleagues through change. You will be comfortable engaging senior leaders, providing evidence-based insight, and influencing decisions to ensure solutions meet strategic, architectural and business needs. Your skillset will combine analytical strength, excellent communication, and the ability to build trusted relationships quickly. You will be adept at facilitating workshops, interpreting complex problems, and presenting clear, compelling solution options. Confidence, curiosity and attention to detail are essential, as is the ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment. You will also bring strong coaching skills, supporting colleagues and stakeholders through activities such as requirements definition, process review and User Acceptance Testing. To thrive in this role, you will be resilient, proactive and comfortable navigating change. You will have a natural customer-service ethos, the ability to deliver to tight deadlines, and the creativity to think beyond conventional approaches. Flexibility around working hours is required. While not essential, qualifications such as Prince2, Agile Practitioner or Lean Six Sigma, as well as experience in Higher Education or business change delivery, would be advantageous. Principal accountabilities Provide a high quality, effective solution design service from initial concept to specification, benefits identification, business approval, and project initiation, through to requirements gathering, testing, training, and embedding.
Conduct feasibility studies where needed, contribute to the business case, identify solution options that meet technical, business and architectural needs, and estimate the potential value that could be realised for key solution option.
Lead on reviewing the existing "as is" end to end business processes and systems usage and develop the "to be" processes, and workflows to improve business performance.
Define and design technology solutions to assist the business in meeting their business objectives including technology solutions and changes to service, process and/or operating models.
Work effectively with the Solution Architect and colleagues across the University to ensure the identified areas are clearly defined, exploit existing assets where possible. When required perform impact analysis on project change requests.
Collaborate with business units and technical experts to develop solutions that meet user stories / business requirements specifications to ensure alignment between customer expectations and current or future digital capabilities.
Presenting solutions and options, highlighting where these align to the business requirements, and then leading the technical element of debate and discussion, negotiating with business colleagues and leaders to arrive at the right solution.
Advise and where necessary coach users on User Acceptance testing. Work with Digital Services & Solutions (DS&S) colleagues supporting testing from a technical and user perspective.
Work with the supplier, DS&S colleagues and business colleagues in understanding the system administration activity and if applicable the cloud-based responsibilities of the business functions during the life of the project so they can be self-sufficient after the project has closed.
Identify, develop, and implement processes aligned to the change, ie a system implementation that facilitate business transformation.
Undertake benchmarking and horizon scanning in order to research and/or predict changes in technical systems and solutions and then to communicate this within and across the university.
Provide information to contribute to a regular benefit/outcome tracking mechanism in partnership with key stakeholders and in line with University processes to ensure benefit case delivery can be monitored and reviewed.
Contribute to development and documenting of the Solution Architecture Framework that will align to the University of Derby Project Management framework including key processes, templates, ways of working.
Mentor the less experienced members of the Solution Architecture team in solution design activities, ensuring they are delivering effective and consistently high-quality services across the University.
Any other duties commensurate with this role.
Person specification Essential Criteria Qualifications

• Relevant degree (or equivalent qualification) or comparable knowledge gained through professional experience.
• Professional Qualification, e.g., BCS Diploma in Business Analysis, IIBA, solutions design, software engineering, technical certification.

Experience

• Proven substantial experience of working within an information or technology design / commissioning service, operating in accordance with the strategic business need of the organisation and external partners.
• Experience in solution design or solution architecture, including delivering end‑to‑end activities such as requirements gathering, process mapping and the creation of high‑quality technical solution designs.
• Experience of successfully managing competing priorities within a resource-limited environment.
• Experience of building process maps and workflows.
• Extensive, applied understanding of Solution Architecture.
• Experience of developing requirements and acceptance criteria to support testing and sign off processes.
• Comfortable providing support and challenge to senior leaders through the provision of evidence-based insights.
• Demonstrable experience of being able to think outside the box.

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Excellent problem interpretation and solving skills.
• Excellent analytical skills and ability to convey key messages, getting to the root cause.
• Ability to work independently, delivering the solution architecture activity to the agreed project plan.
• The ability to challenge, persuade and influence other members of the organisation in a drive to meet customer expectations.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Experience of using MS Visio to generate process flows.
• Experience of delivering workshops via MS Teams and the use of breakout rooms etc.
• Ability to instil confidence in what they are doing, is a great communicator, can facilitate sessions, can be impartial, is curious and has attention to detail.
• Ability to build positive relationships and quickly gain the trust and confidence of key stakeholders.
• Ability to identify project benefits, including relevant metrics with which to measure success.
• Ability to coach and support project team members and business colleagues through the project, ie identifying requirements, reviewing processes, undertaking User Acceptance Testing.
• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines in a demanding environment.
• Ability to be resilient, proactive, and adaptable to change.
• Hold an inherent customer service ethos.
• Hold the drive and determination for excellence.

Business requirements

• Able to take a flexible approach to work, and working hours

o Attendance at Open Days, Graduation events etc. o Take part in On Call activity as and when required Desirable Criteria Qualifications

• Professional Project Management Qualification (e.g. Prince2 or Agile Practitioner).
• Lean Six Sigma or other process improvement qualification.

Experience

• Experience working in a Higher Educational Institution.
• Experience of planning and helping deliver business change.

Benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
• Discounted onsite gym
• Holiday purchase
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

Key contact For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Nick Hinckley, Associate Director of Digital Solutions & Services via n.hinckley@derby.ac.uk For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk. Important information Visa Sponsorship Eligibility This role may be eligible for sponsorship by the University. The offered salary for this role is less than the going rate for the occupation and the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025). Therefore you will only be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker visa subject to your individual circumstances which must meet one of the following criteria set out by UKVI:

• Your job is on the Immigration Skills List
• You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
• You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
• You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

You must also meet the English Language requirement. Please note that the University will assess your individual eligibility for sponsorship at the shortlisting stage.
Equity, diversity and inclusion The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation. We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes. Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training. When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system. The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population. Read more about equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby.
Environmental Sustainability At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.
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The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk. Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.