IT Solutions Designer Graduate Scheme

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.

It’s not all about technology and certifications either. You’ll have the chance to get involved in volunteering, social and charity activities, and even represent NFU Mutual at industry events. These experiences are part of our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) commitments and a great way to broaden your skills while giving something back.

Application Process

If your application is shortlisted, you’ll be invited to complete an online assessment designed to measure your potential for success, such as your ability to learn and solve problems. Should you be successful, you’ll move on to a short video interview. The final stage will be an in-person assessment centre, where you’ll participate in a variety of activities, including a group exercise, a role-specific task, and a skills-based interview. This will take place on Friday 06th March at our Head office in Stratford Upon Avon.

Please note this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship as it does not fulfil the criteria set by the Home Office.

Please note this vacancy may close at any time once sufficient applications have been received. Early submission of your application is therefore encouraged.

What we're looking for

To join this scheme, you need a minimum 2:2 degree (achieved or predicted) in IT, Computer Science, or a closely related technical discipline. The scheme will suit you if you have a genuine passion for all things IT and an interest in design, analytics, strategy and systems thinking. You’ll also have an awareness of architectural standards and methodologies and an understanding of ITIL procedures as implemented by NFU Mutual or a willingness to work towards it, and the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with senior stakeholders. You are passionate about architecture and eager to contribute to a leading mutual insurance company!

Skills we’re looking for

• Critical thinking and Problem solving – ability to analyse systems and find effective solutions.

• Communication, Collaboration and Teamwork: working well with others helps deliver successful projects. Clear communication and relationship-building are essential.

• Organisation and Decision Making: being able to manage tasks, deadlines and the little details, while making good choices to keep things moving.

• Adaptability and Resilience: Projects and priorities can change quickly; being adaptable and resilient helps you thrive through uncertainty.

• Growth mindset & Learning agility – Technology is always evolving—being open to learning and being curious and a willingness to keep learning help you develop quickly.

• Innovation and Creation: Bringing fresh ideas and creative thinking helps us improve our technology and deliver better services for our customers.

• High analytical skills: Solution Designers have the ability to collect, organise, analyse, and disseminate significant amounts of information with attention to detail and accuracy.

• Technical foundations – an understanding of IT concepts, software, and infrastructure provides the base for building IT Architecture expertise.

Some relevant experience, whether through internships, personal projects, hackathons, or university research, is desirable but by no means essential. What matters most is your curiosity, willingness to learn, and ability to apply your skills to real-world challenges.

At NFU Mutual, we support an inclusive workplace and value all the differences that make us unique. We celebrate the creativity and innovation that comes from diverse perspectives and experiences and share a common vision of doing the right thing for our customers and employees.

We recognise that some candidates may experience barriers during the recruitment process. So, we encourage candidates to discuss any adjustments or accommodations they need to be the best they can be throughout our recruitment process.

We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, a Race at Work and Women in Finance Charter signatory and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, disability, neurodiversity, gender, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic background.

Benefits and Rewards

When you join our team, you can expect a supportive culture and an attractive range of rewards and benefits including:  

• Salary - £30,987

• Annual bonus (up to 10% of salary) 

• Contributory pension scheme, up to 20%, including your 8% contribution

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays + buy/sell/save holiday trading scheme

• A Family Friendly policy that helps you balance your work and family responsibilities

• Access to savings at High Street brands, travel and supermarkets

• £20 contribution to a monthly gym membership – subject to T&Cs

• Health and wellbeing plan - cashback for dentist, opticians, physio and more

• Access to voluntary benefits, including health assessments, private medical insurance and dental insurance

• Employee Volunteering - volunteer in the community for one day each year

• Unlimited access to Refer a Friend £500 bonus scheme

• Life Assurance cover of 4 x salary

• Employee discounts of 15% on a range of NFU Mutual insurance policies.