Open Banking Solution Architect

- Open Banking Domain Expertise - Strong experience delivering Open Banking solutions under UK Open Banking standards. - Deep understanding of AIS, PIS, VRP, consent models, customer journeys, and third-party provider interactions. - Practical experience with Open Banking specifications, profiles, and implementation guidance, including OBIE standards and lifecycle management. - Ability to discuss regulatory obligations, customer protection, dispute handling, and operational considerations in detail. - VRP and Payments Initiation Experience designing or reviewing Variable Recurring Payments solutions, including consent scopes, payment limits, schedules, and controls. - Understanding of VRP evolution and its impact on architecture, scheme interaction, and commercial models. - Strong grasp of payment initiation flows and integration with core banking and payments execution platforms. - API, Security, and Standards - Strong experience designing secure, scalable APIs using RESTful principles. - Deep understanding of OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect, mutual TLS, certificates, token management, and consent-driven access control. - Experience interpreting and applying standards such as OpenAPI, FAPI, and relevant regulatory technical standards. - Architecture, Strategy, and Solution Design - Significant experience operating as a Solution Architect in complex financial services environments. - Proven ability to define long-term Open Banking strategy and target-state architecture, including platform rationalisation, capability evolution, and alignment to regulatory roadmaps. - Ability to define end-to-end functional architecture across channels, Open Banking platforms, core banking, and payments systems. - Experience producing clear architectural artefacts and governing designs through delivery. - Ability to balance regulatory compliance, customer experience, delivery constraints, and long-term strategic outcomes. - Soft Skills and Behaviours - Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including with regulators and external partners. - Delivery-focused and pragmatic mindset. - Comfortable operating independently in ambiguous and fast-moving environments. - Demonstrated ownership, accountability, and thought leadership. - Desirable (Not Mandatory) - Experience with Open Banking v4.x.x or other next-generation Open Banking specifications. - Hands-on experience designing solutions on AWS, including use of managed services for API, security, and integration. - Experience working with API gateways, particularly Kong Gateway, including policy enforcement, traffic management, and security controls. - Knowledge of BIAN, TOGAF, ArchiMate, or C4 modelling approaches. - Experience with event-driven and microservices-based architectures. - Exposure to large-scale regulatory change programmes or industry-wide initiatives.