Want to know if this job is worth applying to?
GBR - London, United Kingdom
Onsite
Lead Guidewire Architect
Location: London
Type: Permanent, full time
Hybrid role, happy to talk flexible working
The Opportunity
QBE Europe is recruiting for a Lead Guidewire Architect to join our well-established Architecture team in our London Office. As the Lead Guidewire Architect, you will be required to own and lead the end‑to‑end programme architecture and design activity. The role will be accountable for shaping the target architecture, guiding delivery teams, and ensuring the transformation delivers coherent, scalable and well‑governed outcomes across the enterprise.
QBE is embarking on a major transformation of its core insurance platforms (including Pricing, Policy Administration and Underwriting). The programme is expected to run for approximately five years, with total change investment in excess of $300m. It spans multiple lines of business, geographies and distribution models, and represents one of the most complex technology transformations undertaken by the organisation.
Having the right to work in the UK is a requirement for this role. QBE may consider sponsorship at its discretion.
About QBE
At QBE, we get to the heart of what matters for our customers. And we do it all with a human touch.
We’re an international insurer with more than 13,000 people working across 26 countries – which means we’re big enough for your ambitions, yet small enough for you to make a real impact. It’s an exciting time. We’re building momentum towards our vision to become the most consistent and innovative risk partner.
What if you could have a positive impact – at work and in the world? As part of the QBE team, you’ll get to spend every day working with people who are passionate, talented and kind.
Your New Role
Implement technology strategy, roadmaps, and patterns aligned with global architecture to deliver business strategy.
Maximise alignment and leverage reuse of technology to achieve cost efficiencies.
Monitor and review technical progress against roadmaps to ensure IT strategy objectives are met.
Lead the establishment of strategy, reference architecture, and roadmaps for assigned domains.
Conduct technology assurance and governance in line with architecture policy and practices.
Facilitate the use of standardised tools and approaches for documenting enterprise architecture.
Actively promote and embed architectural ways of working and due governance.
Provide direction during technology decision-making activities supporting executive‑level stakeholders, translating complex architectural topics into clear business and investment decisions
Establish and maintain effective relationships within IT and with internal business units and external service suppliers.
Balance operational delivery and risk commitments by identifying emerging, underlying, and accumulating risks across processes and controls. Understand their impact on service recipients and stakeholders, clearly communicate the risk landscape to leaders, and assist in prioritising resources in response and formalising, where required, in conjunction with the first line risk team.
Run day‑to‑day architecture and design activity, including leading an architecture team, chairing design forums, and resolving complex cross‑domain issues
About you
Proven experience leading architecture across multiple large-scale, multi‑year transformation programmes including legacy modernisation, complex migration programmes supporting coexistence, transitional states and risk management.
Have strong Insurance and domain expertise working with, and governing, major systems integrators and strategic delivery partners
Hands on experience with the Guidewire platform, including PolicyCenter, BillingCenter, ClaimCenter, and Product Model, and a strong understanding of Guidewire Cloud and upgrade strategies.
Experience with modern insurance platforms, such as Guidewire, Hx, Salesforce and associated ecosystem technologies
Strong business and domain expertise across the end-to-end insurance value chain, with the ability to apply deep understanding of underwriting, pricing, distribution, policy administration, claims, finance and regulatory obligations directly to architectural and design decisions
Alignment to architecture governance, ensuring adherence to agreed principles, standards and controls while enabling delivery pace and pragmatic outcomes
Benefits
We offer a range of benefits to help provide holistic support for your work life, whatever your circumstances. As a QBE employee you will have access to and benefit from:
30 days holiday a year with the option to buy up to 2 additional days.
Flexible working - balancing work and life is important so our flexible working opportunities are open to all, this can include part-time, job share and compressed hours.
Pension – you are automatically enrolled into the QBE pension plan, which entitles you to receive employer contributions of 10% of your basic salary.
To learn more about benefits of working with us, click Rewarding our people - QBE European Operations
Awards & Recognition
We value our employee’s experience with us and are proud to have been recognised for the following awards:
General Insurer of the Year 2026 at the British Insurance Awards
Insurance Post British Insurance Awards 2025:
Winner: Commercial Lines Insurer of the Year,
Winner: Reinsurer of the Year - QBE Re, Winner: ESG, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year, Winner: Insurance Personality of the Year - Chris Wallace, Executive Director UK insurance
AXCO Global Insurance Awards 2024 Winner: Network Management of the Year
Insurance Business UK 5-Star Cyber Awards 2024: QBE rated as a 5-Star Cyber Insurer
UK IT Industry Awards 2023 Winner: Green Technology Innovation of the Year
Working Dads Employer Awards 2023 Winner: Parental Policies Award
To learn more about our achievements, click here
Apply now and let’s make it happen!
If you’re looking for a career that combines your expertise and your empathy, click Apply today.
Your career. At the heart of it.
Skills:
Communication, Critical Thinking, Customer Service, Data Architecture Development, Detail-Oriented, Enterprise Architecture Framework, Enterprise IT Architecture, Financial Systems, Information Technology Strategies, Intentional collaboration, Managing performance, Process Improvements, Project Delivery, Stakeholder Management, Strategic PlanningHow to Apply:
To submit your application, click "Apply" and follow the step by step process.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
QBE is an equal opportunity employer and is required to comply with equal employment opportunity legislation in each jurisdiction it operates.