**About Virgin Money**
We are a digital bank with a rich heritage of over 180 years. We're on a mission to create positive experiences for our customers and deliver on our purpose, 'Making You Happier About Money.'
Our customer-centric culture means that we see the world from our customers' perspective, creating an inclusive environment where colleagues feel valued and empowered to contribute.
We're committed to removing obstacles to inclusion as a Disability Confident Leader and strive to reflect the diversity of our customers and communities in our workforce.
At Virgin Money, we believe in living a life more Virgin – one that empowers individuals with choice and flexibility in how they work. Join us in making great strides towards becoming the UK's best digital bank.
**Job Description**
We're seeking passionate, highly capable individuals who not only know their stuff but care deeply about delivering excellence in colleague and customer experiences. As a Senior Solution Designer, you will lead our Centre of Excellence (COE) design advisory and assurance services team, guiding colleagues and project teams/squads on Power Platform best practices, design/development standards, and alignment to strategic architecture.
You will evaluate and approve design proposals, facilitate COE assurance review forums, and represent the COE in formal design boards. Working closely with Microsoft fast-track advisors, 3rd party partners, enterprise architecture, and solution design community, you'll determine and shape best practices and design standards.
**Key Responsibilities:**
* Informing strategic architecture for the Power Platform and translating it into design patterns for solution designers across our tribes/projects.
* Collaborating with SMEs from Microsoft, 3rd party partners, and within the business to shape solution ideas and determine approved patterns for the adoption and implementation of Power Platform solutions and services.
* Reviewing and impact assessing all Power Platform design submissions to ratify compliance with reference architecture and COE-approved design patterns, with decision-making authority on approval to proceed to build.
* Providing SME advice during project initiation and ideation, guiding colleagues on best practice, standards, and what to consider as part of the design assurance process.
* Representing COE in technical governance forums, providing advice, feedback, and decisions in relation to adoption and implementation of Power Platform components and services.
* Acting as a gatekeeper and safety-net for our Power Platform service, supporting COE leadership by proactively identifying risks and issues and intervening to prevent problems before they happen.
* Documenting standards and best practices for adoption and implementation of Power Platform components and services, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and up-to-dateness in line with latest features and best-practice guidance from Microsoft.
* Leading and mentoring COE colleagues to support their development and advance collective skills and capabilities within the COE.
**Requirements**
Extensive experience (5+ years) in designing, developing, and deploying solutions using the Microsoft Power Platform, including Dynamics 365, Power Apps, Power Automate, Copilot Studio/PVA, Dataverse, and Power BI, preferably in a Solution Architect or Solution Designer role.
Knowledge and experience applying best practices and standards for developing and maintaining secure, scalable, and performant solutions on the Microsoft Power Platform.
Extensive knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of the Microsoft Power Platform and how to leverage them to meet business requirements.
Knowledge and experience implementing integration options and methods for connecting the Microsoft Power Platform with other Microsoft and 3rd party services and data sources, including Microsoft 365 and Azure services.
Knowledge of licensing and governance models for the Microsoft Power Platform and how to optimize usage and cost.
Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders, demonstrate the value proposition of the Microsoft Power Platform, and provide guidance and support for adoption and change management.