Job Specifications
Scheme summary
Salary - £30,987 + up to 10% annual bonus + annual pay reviews
Start date – September 2026
Scheme length – 3 years
Location – Stratford upon Avon – (with hybrid working)
Entry criteria - minimum 2:2 degree in a IT, Computer Science, or a closely related technical discipline.
About The Scheme
At NFU Mutual, our IT division plays a pivotal role in driving the success of our business. From delivering exceptional service to spearheading innovation, we’re at the forefront of technology and transformation. Our teams lead ambitious projects, such as transitioning to Cloud services, enhancing our cybersecurity, and developing digital customer solutions - all while delivering an annual change portfolio worth over £80 million.
As an IT Solution Designer Graduate, you’ll be part of a team responsible for turning high‑level architectural designs into detailed technical plans that guide the delivery of new systems, applications, and integrations. Solution Designers bridge the gap between architecture and engineering — translating strategic “big picture” thinking into actionable, technically robust designs.
We are looking for an ambitious and inquisitive IT graduate eager to launch their career. Our dynamic three-year graduate programme is your gateway to becoming a future IT Solution Designer. Here, you’ll gain hands-on experience across diverse technical domains, develop an in-depth understanding of how our business thrives on technology, and sharpen your professional skills in real-world projects.
From collaborating with talented colleagues to solving meaningful challenges and working to regulation standards, you’ll build essential skills in teamwork, communication, and problem solving. Along the way, you’ll have the opportunity to make a tangible impact, grow your confidence, and shape the future of our business—all while being supported every step of the way.
As a graduate on our IT Solution Designer Scheme, you’ll help shape the technology that underpins our business. You’ll transform high-level plans into detailed technical designs, working closely with Solution Architects, engineers, and specialist IT teams.
Throughout the scheme, you’ll rotate across different projects and BAU teams, taking part in a series of placements and shadowing opportunities within IT Solution Design and IT areas. This will help you build a great understanding of business requirements, processes, integrations, and ways of working, while developing valuable professional network
Your Responsibilities Will Include
Translating high‑level architectural designs into detailed technical plans, including component designs, API definitions, data models and database schemas, working closely with Solution Architects, developers and engineering teams.
Support the smooth and secure delivery of new technology releases, ensuring solutions are well‑integrated, safe, efficient and aligned to business needs.
Work with IT architects, SMEs, 3rd‑party suppliers and internal stakeholders to ensure new solutions fit seamlessly into the wider IT framework.
To enhance your career, you’ll undertake a number of IT professional qualifications or certifications, such as ITIL, and other Architecture, Governance related Certifications - giving you the technical foundations to progress.
This programme is designed to develop you into a future Solution Designer, giving you the breadth, depth, and confidence to succeed.
What you can expect
How Your Role Will Evolve
In your first year, you’ll start by learning how technical designs are created, gaining hands‑on experience across projects and BAU teams, and building core skills in requirements gathering, analysis and technical design.
By your second year, s your confidence increases, you’ll take on more responsibility for shaping low‑level designs and begin operating with greater independence. This is where you start stepping into the Applications Designer pathway.
In your third year, You’ll be working at an advanced level, taking ownership of more complex design tasks. By this stage, you’ll be operating with confidence, applying your technical design skills independently and contributing real value across projects and teams!
Your Future
We’re a collaborative, inclusive team that values curiosity, experimentation, and continuous learning. Graduates have thrived here by bringing fresh perspectives, asking great questions, and getting stuck into real challenges. We celebrate diverse thinking and support each other to grow — both professionally and personally. From day one, you’ll be supported with mentoring and coaching from experienced senior architects, helping you shape your perspective and accelerate your professional growth, and a strong graduate network. You’ll also take part in regular graduate development sessions, and as you near the end of the scheme, a careers coach will help you plan your next steps – whether that’s becoming a technical specialist or moving towards leadership.
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