Lead Solution Architect

Role overview

Owns the technical solution end to end, from approach and architecture sign-off through build and handover. Acts as the senior technical voice to the client, integrating data engineering, AI, governance and cloud work into one coherent solution. Part-time across the full engagement duration.

Key responsibilities

• Solution integrity. Own the target solution architecture and ensure each deliverable traces back to agreed scope and requirements.
• Governance. Lead technical decisions at architecture and scope sign-off, and at each delivery gate. Maintain the decision log.
• Team direction. Direct the data engineers, AI engineer, QA and cloud roles. Resolve cross-workstream technical dependencies and unblock the team.
• Quality assurance. Review design, code and data model quality. Set standards for testing, documentation and release readiness.
• Client engagement. Act as the client's trusted technical advisor to senior stakeholders. Translate technical trade-offs into business and risk terms.
• Risk and scope. Track technical risks and scope drift, and raise them to the project manager early with options.
• AI and data coherence. Ensure the AI and executive reporting layers are built on governed, reliable data, in line with responsible AI practice.
• Handover. Plan and run the technical handover so the client can operate the platform independently.

Required skills and experience

• 12+ years in data, analytics or cloud solution delivery, with 5+ as a solution architect or technical lead on enterprise programmes.
• Proven delivery of modern data platforms ( Microsoft Fabric, Informatica or equivalent ) and AI-enabled executive reporting.
• Strong grasp of data governance, quality, security and operating model implications.
• Executive communication: able to run a design authority and a steering committee discussion in the same week.
• Experience leading mixed onshore and offshore teams.

Preferred qualifications

• Grade E2 or equivalent seniority, with prior public sector delivery experience in the Gulf.
• TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification.
• Arabic language skills are an advantage.