Contract Length: Initial 6 months
Day Rate: up to £700 per day inside IR35
We are seeking an experienced Solutions Architect with deep expertise in bank payments execution to support the design and delivery of complex payment platforms within a regulated financial services environment.
This role requires a hands-on, delivery-focused architect who understands how payments operate end to end - from initiation through clearing, settlement, reconciliation and exception handling - and who can design robust, scalable solutions aligned to ISO 20022 standards.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the end-to-end solution design for payment processing platforms and services
Design and document logical and functional architectures, defining clear system boundaries, responsibilities, and interactions
Work closely with business stakeholders, engineering teams, and delivery leads to translate business requirements into scalable technical solutions
Provide architectural oversight and governance across delivery teams to ensure alignment with agreed designs and standards
Balance short-term delivery needs with longer-term platform and architectural strategy
Support payment transformation initiatives, including ISO 20022 adoption and coexistence
Act as a trusted advisor to stakeholders, providing clear guidance on trade-offs, risks, and design decisions
Required Experience & Skills
Proven experience as a Solutions Architect in banking or financial services environments
Strong, hands-on knowledge of end-to-end payments execution, including clearing, settlement, reconciliation, and exception handling
Practical experience with multiple payment schemes such as Bacs, Faster Payments, CHAPS, SWIFT, or SEPA
Deep, working knowledge of ISO 20022, including message structures, mapping, validation, and scheme differences
Ability to design clear logical and functional architectures and govern designs delivered by engineering teams
Familiarity with modern integration patterns (APIs, microservices, event-driven architectures)
Strong communication skills with the ability to engage confidently with both technical and non-technical stakeholders
Pragmatic, delivery-focused mindset with the ability to operate independently
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com
