NHS Blood and Transplant

Solutions Architect

The closing date is 07 April 2026

Job summary

Youll be joining an organisation that is about to embark upon its most ambitious programme of change yet, covering all areas of the Blood and Organ donation and manufacturing business. You will be able to put your extensive architecture, design and delivery skills to use, defining / designing and guiding delivery of the NHSBT business solutions as part of multiple transformation programmes.

Reporting to the Senior Solutions Architect - Platforms, you will gain exposure at Executive and Board level and be expected to navigate cross-Directorate teams through the fast-paced programme of change that is currently being developed.

NHSBT has a very successful track record in benefits delivery. You will be joining an organisation that is used to working within a SAFe Agile methodology but will also have the opportunity to shape the emerging agenda and influence this national asset whose mission is to save lives.

Main duties of the job

In this role you will be required to actively monitor new technology opportunities, methods, trends and products that could advance NHSBT. Your responsibilities will include:

  • Engaging with suppliers, research organisations and government bodies.
  • Identifying opportunities provided by information technology, best practice, methods and standards, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of NHSBT. This includes exploring how IT can enable new ways of conducting business and establishing new services.
  • Researching new and emerging IT and how it can provide strategic improvements to NHSBTs business. This will involve working on major programmes and carrying out system research, developing proof of concepts, engaging with industry thought leaders and presenting ideas to TPB and the Exec.
  • Working with suppliers, senior managers, and executives to identify the costs and benefits of new IT opportunities. Build business cases and define the architecture for the use of new technologies and IT platforms at NHSBT. This will require a wide awareness and understanding of technology (application, infrastructure, digital, integration) and NHSBTs business and strategy.
  • Shaping NHSBTs future IT strategy accordingly.
  • Representing ICT on the organisation wide Business Integration Team.

You will be required to travel extensively and spend time away from base, which will involve working irregular hours and overnight stays when required, with prior notice

About us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, youll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.

Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do. By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.

You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

Details

Date posted

24 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

008387

Job locations

England

Bristol

United Kingdom

BS34 7QH


NHSBT

Manchester Blood Centre, Plymouth Grove,

Manchester

M13 9LL


NHSBT Tooting Blood Centre

75 Cranmer Terrace

Tooting

SW17 0RB


NHSBT

Liverpool Speke Blood Centre, 14 Estuary Banks, The Estuary Commerce Park, Speke

Liverpool

L24 8RB


NHSBT

Birmingham Blood Centre, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston

Birmingham

B15 2SG


NHSBT

Barnsley Blood Centre, Capitol Way, Dodworth

Barnsley

S75 3FG


NHSBT Colindale Blood Centre

Charcot Road, Colindale

London

NW9 5BG


NHSBT

Bristol Filton Blood Centre, 500 North Bristol Park, Northway, Filton,

Bristol

BS34 7QH


Job description

Job responsibilities

What we offer:

  • NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
  • 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years service and to 33 days after 10 years.
  • NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
  • Weve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. Its open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.

To learn more, please see our recruitment profile, which provides a summary of the job description and person specification. This can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking Apply if you are viewing this advert on another site.

Job description

Job responsibilities

What we offer:

  • NHSBT promotes flexible working opportunities where the role will allow.
  • 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years service and to 33 days after 10 years.
  • NHS pension scheme. The NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns) Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/pensions
  • Weve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. Its open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.

To learn more, please see our recruitment profile, which provides a summary of the job description and person specification. This can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking Apply if you are viewing this advert on another site.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to masters degree level OR equivalent relevant experience.
  • TOGAF OR equivalent relevant experience.
  • Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD)

Experience

Essential

  • Excellent understanding of the emerging technology market in healthcare, supply chain and digital.
  • Excellent awareness of the current state of technologies Cloud/SaaS, BPMS and ERP
  • Working knowledge of the principles associated with the complex solution architecture.
  • Experience of IT architecture development and solution design across applications, data and infrastructure.
  • Experience of using technology to support significant business change and development across a range of different business models, e.g. manufacturing, health, clinical, customer service, logistics
  • Experience of leading organisations in the assessment of new technologies and building the case with senior stakeholders for deploying them.
  • Experience of conducting senior level interviews to gain insights into business needs for IT solutions
  • Experience of implementing IT process and change plans.
  • Experience in procuring large scale contracts and management of external suppliers.
  • Extensive experience of IT strategic planning and successful management of large-scale change.
  • Experience of working with Information Technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Educated to masters degree level OR equivalent relevant experience.
  • TOGAF OR equivalent relevant experience.
  • Demonstrates commitment to own continued professional development (CPD)

Experience

Essential

  • Excellent understanding of the emerging technology market in healthcare, supply chain and digital.
  • Excellent awareness of the current state of technologies Cloud/SaaS, BPMS and ERP
  • Working knowledge of the principles associated with the complex solution architecture.
  • Experience of IT architecture development and solution design across applications, data and infrastructure.
  • Experience of using technology to support significant business change and development across a range of different business models, e.g. manufacturing, health, clinical, customer service, logistics
  • Experience of leading organisations in the assessment of new technologies and building the case with senior stakeholders for deploying them.
  • Experience of conducting senior level interviews to gain insights into business needs for IT solutions
  • Experience of implementing IT process and change plans.
  • Experience in procuring large scale contracts and management of external suppliers.
  • Extensive experience of IT strategic planning and successful management of large-scale change.
  • Experience of working with Information Technology using Microsoft Office packages (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

England

Bristol

United Kingdom

BS34 7QH


Employer's website

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

NHS Blood and Transplant

Address

England

Bristol

United Kingdom

BS34 7QH


Employer's website

https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Recruiter

Daniel Madzikanda

daniel.madzikanda@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

24 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£66,582 to £77,368 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

008387

Job locations

England

Bristol

United Kingdom

BS34 7QH


NHSBT

Manchester Blood Centre, Plymouth Grove,

Manchester

M13 9LL


NHSBT Tooting Blood Centre

75 Cranmer Terrace

Tooting

SW17 0RB


NHSBT

Liverpool Speke Blood Centre, 14 Estuary Banks, The Estuary Commerce Park, Speke

Liverpool

L24 8RB


NHSBT

Birmingham Blood Centre, Vincent Drive, Edgbaston

Birmingham

B15 2SG


NHSBT

Barnsley Blood Centre, Capitol Way, Dodworth

Barnsley

S75 3FG


NHSBT Colindale Blood Centre

Charcot Road, Colindale

London

NW9 5BG


NHSBT

Bristol Filton Blood Centre, 500 North Bristol Park, Northway, Filton,

Bristol

BS34 7QH


Supporting documents

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