Job Description
Lead the Solution Architecture practice for one of Australia's leading universities
Shape solution architecture strategy, governance, AI and design quality
Lead a high-performing team and drive the next evolution of practices and ways of working
Associate Director, Solution Architecture
Solve by Talent is partnering with the University of Sydney to recruit an Associate Director, Solution Architecture to support the delivery of key Information and Communications Technology (ICT) initiatives initiatives that help shape the future of education, research, and innovation.
Why join the University of Sydney?
Join one of Australia’s leading universities at a pivotal point of change, where technology is evolving to better support student learning, empower teaching excellence, and enable research delivery at global scale.
ICT is central to delivering the University’s academic mission. Working across faculties, disciplines, and research communities, you will shape the platforms, services, and partnerships that enable student success, strengthen teaching, and accelerate research impact.
This work spans both the critical services that keep the University running every day and the ongoing improvement of systems and experiences.
With strong investment and clear direction, you’ll operate in a large and complex environment where your contribution has visible, meaningful impact across the University.
The opportunity
The Associate Director, Solution Architecture leads the University's Solution Architecture practice, developing a team of Solution Architects and Solution Designers and acting as the senior point of architectural authority for solution design.
The role combines hands-on solution architecture leadership with practice management, strong stakeholder engagement and sound business judgement, ensuring technology solutions are well designed, fit for purpose and aligned with University priorities and enterprise architecture.
What you'll do
Lead, manage and develop the Solution Architecture practice, including its people, standards, methods, patterns and quality.
Act as the senior solution architecture authority, providing hands-on design leadership and assurance across a broad portfolio of complex initiatives.
Build and maintain strong relationships with senior leaders, academic stakeholders, project teams and vendors, translating business needs into clear, practical solution designs.
Manage practice operations, including resourcing, demand and prioritisation, engagement models, governance and continuous improvement.
Provide architectural oversight of significant technical change, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, cost-effective and aligned with ICT strategy.
Apply strong business acumen to balance technical quality, cost, risk and value when shaping solution options and recommendations.
Oversee architectural risk, technical debt, policy compliance, standards and technology evaluation activity.
Mentor and grow architectural capability, lifting consistency and maturity across the practice.
Where appropriate, adopt modern tooling, including AI, to improve the efficiency and quality of architecture work.
What we're looking for
Deep, hands-on solution architecture experience across complex enterprise environments, with the credibility to lead a practice.
Proven practice or team leadership, including building capability, setting standards and managing delivery and quality.
Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and relationship skills, with the gravitas to operate across committees and senior forums.
Strong business acumen, balancing technical, commercial, cost and risk considerations to deliver value.
Broad solution architecture knowledge spanning integration, application, data and infrastructure, supported by sound technical judgement.
Experience developing standards, methods, governance approaches and roadmaps for a solution architecture practice.
The ability to lead and develop a mature architecture function, lifting consistency, quality and ways of working.
Backgrounds in software engineering, banking or other high-pressure enterprise environments will be well regarded.
Familiarity with applying AI techniques in an architecture context is desirable.
What's in it for you?
At the University of Sydney, staff are supported with benefits designed to enhance career development, wellbeing and work-life balance, including:
17% superannuation to support your financial future
Generous parental leave entitlements
Salary packaging options
Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
Career development and learning opportunities
Health and wellbeing programs, including Fitness Passport
Access to a vibrant, globally recognised university community
How to apply
If you're looking for an opportunity to contribute to meaningful work while building your career in a world-class university environment, we would love to hear from you.
Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.
For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.
Accessibility and inclusion
The University of Sydney is committed to creating an inclusive recruitment experience for all candidates. If you require adjustments or additional support at any stage of the recruitment process, we encourage you to let us know.
This may include adjustments to the interview format, additional time, breaks, accessible interview locations, receiving materials in advance, or any other practical support that will help you participate comfortably.
For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Nick Barwick, [email protected].
EEO statement
At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.
We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.
Pre-employment checks
Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.
Also, to meet the University’s obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Eliminate Gender-Based Violence you will be asked to declare if you have been investigated for, or found to engaged in, sexual harm or gender-based violence in the course of previous employment or in a legal process.
Sponsorship / work rights for Australia
You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to be eligible to apply. Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.
© The University of Sydney
The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
Click to view the Position Description for this role.
Applications Close
Sunday 19 July 2026 11:59 PM