Freelance Solution Architect

pWe are looking for an experienced bSolution Architect /bto join a major Dgital transformation programme within a leading organisation in the financial services client /p pIn this role, you will be responsible for defining and evolving the target solution architecture, translating business and technical requirements into robust architectural designs, and ensuring that solutions align with enterprise architecture standards and governance requirements. /p pWorking closely with business stakeholders, technical teams, security specialists and senior architects, you will contribute to the architecture of individual programme phases, assess alternative solutions and identify pragmatic approaches where the desired target state cannot be achieved immediately. /p pThis is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on Solution Architect who combines strong architectural thinking with practical technical knowledge, particularly in AWS serverless technologies, event-driven architecture and modern application integration. /p h3Key Responsibilities /h3 pDefine and maintain the target architecture for the transformation programme. /p pDesign the solution architecture for individual programme phases and delivery initiatives. /p pTranslate business requirements and stakeholder constraints into practical, scalable and secure architectural solutions. /p pEvaluate alternative solutions against criteria including business value, technical feasibility, security, privacy, cost, operational requirements and long-term sustainability. /p pDefine interim solutions and workarounds where the target architecture cannot be implemented immediately, while maintaining a clear roadmap towards the desired end state. /p pAssess architectural and technology risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures. /p pIdentify opportunities to leverage new technologies and modern architectural patterns. /p h3Architecture Governance Documentation /h3 pEnsure compliance with established enterprise architecture principles, standards and governance processes. /p pPrepare and present architecture proposals to local and group architecture governance boards. /p pObtain the necessary architectural approvals, or “building permits”, for relevant epics before implementation begins. /p pDocument solution architectures in Sparx Systems using established modelling standards and guidelines. /p pPrepare architecture presentations and supporting documentation using the organisation's standard templates. /p pMonitor implementation against approved architecture decisions, identifying, documenting and managing deviations or gaps. /p pWork closely with delivery teams and senior architects to ensure architectural decisions are understood and implemented correctly. /p h3Stakeholder Collaboration /h3 pEngage with business, delivery, security, privacy, legal and operational stakeholders to understand requirements and constraints. /p pCommunicate architectural concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences. /p pCollaborate with senior architects, development teams and delivery partners throughout the transformation lifecycle. /p pBalance strategic architectural objectives with practical delivery needs, ensuring solutions remain aligned with programme goals. /p h3Required Skills Experience /h3 pMinimum 6 years of professional experience in IT, technology or solution delivery. /p pAt least 3 years of experience in a Solution Architect roleb. /b /p pStrong experience designing and evaluating solution architectures within complex IT environments. /p pGood knowledge of AWS cloud services, particularly serverless application deployment, with approximately 3 years of relevant experience expected. /p pUnderstanding of Business Process Management Systems (BPMS), Event-Driven Architecture (EDA), integrations and agentic platforms. /p pExperience assessing architectural options and presenting recommendations based on multiple business and technical criteria. /p pAbility to communicate effectively in English with both business stakeholders and technical teams. /p pStrong understanding of architectural governance, documentation and design approval processes. /p pExcellent analytical, problem-solving and stakeholder management skills. /p pAbility to work collaboratively, listen to different perspectives and adapt to changing programme requirements. /p pAvailability to work onsite in Brussels 2-3 days per week. /p h3Nice to Have /h3 pExperience working on large-scale business or IT transformation programmes, particularly those with annual budgets in the €5–10 million range. /p pKnowledge of the Employee Benefits business or related insurance and financial services domains. /p pTechnical understanding of mainframe environments and their associated constraints. /p pKnowledge of French and/or Dutch. /p pExperience working with formal architecture modelling tools and enterprise architecture frameworks. /p h3Personal Attributes /h3 pWe are looking for a Solution Architect who demonstr