Solution Architect - HR Platforms

Location: Manchester

Job Description

Are you a visionary architect passionate about harnessing technology to transform HR functions? Join us at Freshfields as our Lead Architect for HR Technology — a global role at the cornerstone of our architectural and digital strategy for HR.

About the Role
As Lead Architect, you will drive the direction, design, and implementation of cutting-edge HR technology solutions in a truly global environment. You’ll collaborate closely with HR, Product, and IT stakeholders to co-create and execute an architectural vision, ensuring alignment with business outcomes and our overall IT Strategy.

Key aspects of the role include:

• Defining and assuring innovative HR platforms and integrated solutions, with a focus on security, integrity, performance, and interoperability.

• Designing platform architectures, integration patterns, and high-quality documentation for diverse audiences.

• Influencing and communicating with senior stakeholders, clearly articulating technical options and recommendations.

• Ensuring seamless integration of HR platforms with adjacent systems like finance, ERP, identity, and analytics.

• Promoting standardisation across teams and championing best practices.

• Providing hands-on support in areas such as prototyping, data modelling, and integration design as needed.

• Upholding effective governance, compliance, and data privacy across HR technology.

• Mentoring and developing capability across delivery teams, business SMEs, and architects.

What We’re Looking For

• Broad understanding of modern HR platforms (e.g., HCM, Talent, Compensation, Recruitment, Payroll) and their data models.

• Strong experience in architectural leadership across HR technology initiatives or platform transformations.

• Proven ability to influence at a strategic level and communicate technology concepts to senior business leaders.

• Demonstrated experience in end-to-end delivery of technology solutions, including requirements, design, build, and transition.

• Expertise in integration (APIs, middleware, event-driven patterns) and a good grasp of how HR systems interact with wider enterprise technology.

• Strong knowledge of identity, privacy, security, and compliance considerations within HR domains.

Desirable:

• Experience of Workday HCM

• Familiarity with regulated, partnership, or professional services environments.

• Exposure to HR analytics, workforce insights, or data visualisation.

• Understanding of workflow automation or AI-driven HR capabilities.

Inclusion

Freshfields is an equal opportunities employer and all applications received by the firm will be considered by the firm on the basis of their merit alone and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of background. All offers of employment will be conditional on the candidate having/securing the right to work in the UK and providing the firm with evidence of that right (as required by the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006) prior to employment commencing.

Freshfields is a Ban the Box employer. We ask applicants to disclose criminal convictions only when a conditional job offer is made. A conviction does not automatically lead to withdrawal of the offer: we make decisions on a case by case basis and take a number of factors into account (eg the role you are applying for and the circumstances of the offence). You would have the opportunity to discuss the matter with us before we make a decision.