Solution Architect – PAM/PAW in City of London, London

My client in the telecommunications industry are looking for a Solution Architect to join their fast-paced team on an initial 6 month contract. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience, structured thinking, strong communication skills, and the ability to operate in a complex enterprise environment.

***The selected candidate MUST HAVE Privileged Access Management/Privileged Access Workstations experience***

The Solution Architect will be responsible for defining and owning the end-to-end solution architecture for PAM and PAW across the programme. The role will ensure that the solution is secure, scalable, compliant, operationally supportable, and aligned with the business' enterprise architecture, security standards, and programme objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end PAM / PAW solution architecture for the assigned workstream.
• Define the target-state architecture, including integration with identity platforms, network systems, access controls, monitoring, and operational tooling.
• Assess current-state privileged access processes and identify gaps, risks, and required changes.
• Translate business, security, operational, and compliance requirements into a practical solution architecture.
• Work closely with security, network, infrastructure, operations, and application teams to ensure architectural alignment.
• Define architecture principles, design patterns, security controls, and implementation guardrails.
• Support decision-making around PAM tooling, PAW standards, access models, and integration approaches.
• Ensure the solution supports audit, regulatory, and governance requirements.
• Identify architectural risks, dependencies, and constraints, and propose mitigation options.
• Provide technical leadership to designers, engineers, PMs, BAs, and delivery teams.
• Produce and maintain key architecture artefacts, including high-level designs, architecture diagrams, options papers, and decision records.
• Present solution options, recommendations, and risks to senior stakeholders and governance boards.
• Ensure the solution is fit for transition into BAU operations.

Required Skills and Experience

• Strong experience as a Solution Architect in security, identity, network, or infrastructure programmes.
• Good understanding of Privileged Access Management concepts, including privileged accounts, session management, credential vaulting, least privilege, access approval workflows, and audit logging.
• Good understanding of Privileged Access Workstation concepts, including hardened workstations, admin tiers, secure access models, and separation of privileged and standard user activities.
• Experience working in complex enterprise or telecom environments.
• Strong understanding of network environments, operational support models, and security governance.
• Ability to convert complex security and operational requirements into practical solution designs.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders, architecture review boards, cyber security teams, and operations teams.
• Ability to take ownership, drive decisions, and remove ambiguity.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with PAM tools such as CyberArk, BeyondTrust, Delinea, or similar.
• Experience with Microsoft security technologies, Active Directory, Entra ID, conditional access, device hardening, or endpoint management.
• Experience in Solution Architecture, separation, migration, divestment, or integration programmes.
• Knowledge of telecom network operations and privileged access controls.

Expected Outcomes

• Approved PAM / PAW target architecture.
• Clear architecture decisions and design principles.
• Identified risks, dependencies, and mitigation plans.
• Architecture aligned with company security and operational standards.
• Solution ready for detailed design, delivery, and operational handover.