Solution Architecture Manager

Position Description

The Solution Architecture Manager is responsible for leading a team of Solution Architects and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, secure and sustainable solution designs across ESB's technology landscape.

Working closely with Enterprise Architects, Domain Architects, delivery teams and business stakeholders, the role translates business requirements and architectural direction into coherent end-to-end solution designs. The Solution Architecture Manager plays a key role in evolving ESB's Architecture operating model, helping to establish and embed new ways of working, governance approaches and collaborative practices as the organisation transitions to a decentralised architecture model.

This role combines people leadership, architecture governance and service development, ensuring the Solution Architecture function continues to meet the evolving needs of the business while enabling successful delivery of strategic technology initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of Solution Architects, fostering a culture of architectural excellence, collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Drive the evolution of the Solution Architecture service, enhancing ways of working, governance processes, tooling and practices to support ESB's transition to a decentralised architecture operating model.
• Partner with Enterprise Architects, Domain Architects and delivery teams to ensure architectural responsibilities are clear and that enterprise and domain direction is effectively translated into end-to-end solution designs.
• Provide architectural leadership across a portfolio of programmes and projects, ensuring solution designs align with business objectives and can be delivered effectively within ESB's technology landscape.
• Drive consistency and quality across solution designs through the adoption of common patterns, reusable approaches and architecture best practices.
• Lead solution architecture assurance and governance activities, providing constructive challenge and oversight to ensure solutions are secure, resilient, supportable and aligned with agreed architectural principles.
• Build architecture capability across ESB, developing talent, mentoring architects and fostering a strong and connected architecture community.

Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• At least 10 years' experience working within a corporate IT environment, including significant experience in solution architecture or equivalent technical leadership roles within large and complex organisations.
• Third level degree in a relevant field, or equivalent work experience.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and lead organisational change across business and technology functions.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing architecture or technical teams, including coaching, mentoring, performance management and capability development.
• Proven experience managing a professional service, practice or capability, including service improvement, prioritisation, stakeholder engagement and operational governance.
• Strong solution architecture or equivalent technical leadership experience, with responsibility for guiding, governing and assuring solution designs across complex programmes, projects or technology portfolios.

Desirable

• Understanding of Enterprise Architecture, Domain Architecture and architecture governance frameworks and how they interact within a large organisation.
• Knowledge of the utility industry landscape and associated regulatory environment.
• Experience engaging with technology vendors and external partners.
• Knowledge of modern technology trends and architecture domains, including cloud, data, AI, security and integration.
• Professional architecture qualification (e.g. TOGAF, BCS, IASA or equivalent).

Location

This position will be based in ESB’s Head Office at Fitzwilliam 27, Dublin 2.

Smart Working at ESB is designed to make ‘in-person’ time together as purposeful as possible while also enabling the effective use of digital tools and hybrid arrangements to preserve our commitment to flexibility. The successful candidate may work flexibly within the jurisdiction where they have been employed, with attendance at the workplace for in-person collaboration at least two days per week. All Smart Working arrangements are subject to regular review based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the business.

Reporting To

Senior Manager, Method & Resources, IT Delivery 

Why Work with Us?

• Opportunity to lead Ireland’s transition to net zero carbon future
• Career development through mentoring and training 
• Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities
• Sports and Social Clubs
• Networking opportunities
• Credit Union
• Generous Pension
• Access to staff well-being programmes
• Generous parental leave entitlements
• Strong values-based and inclusive culture
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Great team environment working to our Core Values: Courageous, Caring, Driven and Trusted

Salary

€86,300 - €101,600 per annum (depending on experience)

Closing Date

2nd September 2026

• Accountable and Ethical
• Collaborative
• Growing and Adaptive
• Proactive
• Respectful and Supportive

Notes

• Your application will be held in reserve for 6 months should you be suitable for the role.
• The successful candidate will be required to evidence their right to work in the Republic of Ireland prior to commencement of employment.