Job Description

Vacancy No

VN2659

Location City

Multiple

Location Country

United Kingdom

Job Title:

Lead Solutions Architect

Reports to:

Principal Architect - Media Supply Chain

Department:

Technology

Location:

London or Leeds

Expected travel:

10%

Job Grade:

L2

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

The Technology department is charged with establishing, monitoring and maintaining IT and Broadcast systems and services to serve our TV and VoD viewers, and enable business users to carry out their roles efficiently, productively and securely. The department must stay at the forefront of technology change in order to meet multiple business requirements, provide secure IT infrastructure and proactively support C4 strategic growth opportunities.

JOB PURPOSE

This role provides leadership of the Content Architecture Team, whose responsibilities include architectural oversight of Channel 4's critical scheduling and metadata systems. These systems enable the business to publish content across linear broadcast, syndication partner platforms, and the Channel 4 Streaming platform. Additionally, the role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure system scalability, security, and performance. The team is also accountable for maintaining the integrity and consistency of content metadata, supporting new technological advancements, and aligning the architecture with overall business strategies to enhance content delivery and user experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead a small team of technical architects delivering features and solutions for the Content business owner. Assist the Media Supply Chain Principal Architect in the development and maintenance of target blueprints for the Channels Broadcast Management Systems and supporting infrastructures. The individual will be capable of working a several levels within a project delivery lifecycle, from requirements definition through to testing and operational planning. Assist multiple application development teams, both internal and external, in the delivery of new and the evolution of business applications and websites, in accordance with the aforementioned blueprints. Balancing adherence to our architectural standards with providing timely architectural support to projects in a pragmatic but purposeful way, engaging and influencing disparate stakeholders as required. Provide general technical due diligence support for the business to assist them when evaluating new technology-based business opportunities. Maintain technical credibility with, and therefore the ability to influence, our development teams (Internal & External) by taking a "hands on" approach to the role. The role holder must be willing to get involved with tech leads, developers, testers and business analysts at a detailed level when the situation requires it. To monitor advances in Information Technology and identify opportunities to leverage emerging technologies in innovative ways to provide business benefit within Channel Four. Where appropriate, undertake limited PoC (Proof of Concept) activities to better assess the potential of new technology.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Technical & Professional Skills:

Architectural experience based on practical experience gained working in a systems development environment, ideally working on large scale, business critical applications from feasibility to implementation. Development and analysis of complex application architectures including; Object-oriented analysis and design using C4 Model and UML Services Orientated Architecture (SOA) Utilisation of design patterns and frameworks An understanding of current technologies and development methods including: Service-Oriented and Domain based Architectures Application integration patterns, Business Process Orchestration Workflow and ESB Hands-on development experience using an Object-Oriented programming language, such as Java, Javascript, Python,.net or Delphi Experience of delivering projects in Scrum, Kanban and Waterfall project management frameworks. Experience of selecting and implementing COTS software packages Web application architectures Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing Ability to build Proof-of-Concepts.

Autonomy/Judgement/Decision Making:

In an environment where deliverables are often tied to broadcast and/or commercial schedules, pragmatism and pace become critical to successful project delivery. Thus, the role holder will be expected to reach decisions regarding application architectures in a timely manner while remaining broadly within the overall direction set by our target blueprints. In reaching a decision, the individual must be able to balance multiple perspectives such as overall strategic priorities, specific project priorities, financial factors and technology related factors.

Relationship Management:

Effective communication skills, being able to present technical solutions and options to non-technical stakeholders. In order to operate effectively, the role holder must build relationships with our departmental customers across the Channel, internal development teams, and 3rd party development and service delivery teams. A critical factor to success in this role is obtaining respect, at a technical level, from the development teams. To do so will require the individual to remain abreast of IT industry developments, recognise the potential relevance to C4, and be capable of outlining their relevance to the development teams.

Complexity/Problem Solving:

In designing application architectures, the role holder will need to meet requirements which are both challenging and, at times, may be contradictory. The outcome will be based on an assessment of salient factors, which will need to be communicated effectively to the major stakeholders and the Architecture Review Board. In supporting development teams, the role holder will regularly be called on to provide assistance with problem determination. Such problems will concern issues identified during development or, on occasion, in live applications and are often extremely complex and convoluted in nature. The ability to approach such problems logically, using a process of elimination is essential.

Business Impact/Strategic Perspective:

The role holder is accountable for the strategic alignment of the Content Systems with the Technology Strategy and will be responsible for multi-year articulation of the application architecture. The decisions taken by the role holder will significantly influence our catalogue of applications and services and thus directly influence the day-to-day operation of the business. Decisions regarding technology that may have significant financial implications across the development and operational service teams.

Basic salary per annum starting from

83,125.00

Application questions to complete

Please remember to complete the additional application questions by uploading a Word or PDF attachment. These questions really help us get to know you better and we won't be able to consider your application without them.

Please outline how you meet the 'Essential Experience & Skills' outlined in the (Max 500 words)

Benefits

There are a million reasons why it's great to work at Channel 4, here are just a few of the perks for you;




- Private medical insurance


- Free Virtual GP access for employees


- Free Female Health hormone test each year


- Free Tastecard membership


- Financial guidance 1-2-1's available each quarter


- Discounted Gym memberships


- Pension


- Life Assurance


- Income Protection


- Holiday Purchase

Hybrid working

From September 2023, C4 has operated a 60/40 working pattern, equating to three office days per week.


Having everyone in the office three days a week gives us more opportunity to build our high performing, inclusive culture; to collaborate and to learn and share with each other, as well as helping to coordinate a regular pattern of home and office working days. Employees then have the flexibility to decide where they spend the rest of the working week. All our offices are open five days a week.

Applications Close Date

05 Jan 2026

Equal Opportunities

Channel 4's purpose is to create change through entertainment; by representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and delivering content which reflects the diversity of different communities across the UK.




We are only able to deliver on this remit by having a workforce rich in diversity of thought, background and lived experience. As an employer we encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on disability, age, gender reassignment, gender expression, criminal history, length of time spent unemployed, marriage or civil partnership status, national origin, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.




Disability Confident Scheme:


Channel 4 is a member of the Business Disability Forum (BDF) and has also maintained the highest level of the Department of Work and Pension's Disability Confident scheme - Level 3: Leader. Under the Disability Confident Scheme, we aim to offer an interview to all candidates who have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and who meet the essential criteria for an advertised job. If you wish your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please select yes when completing the application questions. For more information, please visit the Disability Confident Campaign website.




For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.




Care Leaver Friendly Employer:


Channel 4 is a Care Leaver Friendly Employer. By signing the Care Leaver Friendly Employer Charter and adopting its principles, we are supporting an immensely talented yet often under-served and under-represented community of young people/ adults. We commit to offering an interview (and constructive feedback) to applicants who identify as care experienced and meet the essential criteria for the role as outlined on the job description. Applicants should indicate if they wish to apply under our Care Leaver Scheme by selecting the option on the application form.




For our roles and schemes that receive a high volume of applications it may not be possible to provide an interview to all applicants who meet the essential criteria and in this situation we can only select applications that best meet the skills needed for the role.




Workplace Adjustments:


We are committed to providing disabled applicants a level playing field when applying for a job and support whilst employed to perform to the best of their ability and develop their careers. If you have a neurodiverse condition, impairment or long-term condition and require any adjustments, additional support or alternative arrangements during the recruitment and wish to discuss this confidentially, please let us know via the following e-mail recruitment@channel4.co.uk