Principal Solutions Architect

Description

The company designs, builds and runs the growth systems that competitive businesses depend on. It helps clients through business transformation and marketing modernisation, linking strategy directly to delivery.

Around 12,000 specialists in engineering and platforms, commerce, consulting, content transformation, CRM and CX work in one global unit across 40+ markets. The team works with Adobe, AWS, Braze, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, Shopify and AI innovators. The Forrester Wave recognised it as a leader in Commerce Services and CX Strategy Consulting.

The Commerce and Technology division helps global brands design, build and run the commerce platforms behind their growth.

This role leads solution work for business pursuits and account growth across enterprise commerce.

You will see how the whole commerce estate connects, from storefront and mobile app through commerce platform, data and ERP. You will turn that into a clear business case, earn the trust of senior client stakeholders and build a working demo when it helps.

Responsibilities

• Design end-to-end commerce solutions across Adobe Commerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Shopify, HCL and composable MACH stacks, covering web, mobile, data and back office systems.
• Frame each solution around commercial results, including cost, return and a clear case for change rather than a list of technology.
• Run discovery workshops with senior business and technology stakeholders, asking the questions that surface what matters and narrowing the discussion to the decisions that count.
• Produce architecture diagrams and solution designs for storefront, apps, commerce platform, search, content, order management, product information, payments, data and integrations. Recommend the platform that fits each client, not a default.
• Guide clients through platform choices and migrations, including the move from monolithic to composable, weighing total cost of ownership, time to market, risk and operating model.
• Go deep on how commerce connects to ERP (SAP, Microsoft Dynamics or Oracle), order management, warehouse, customer data and analytics, and design integration patterns that scale to enterprise level.
• Shape mobile app strategy and architecture (native, cross platform and headless) alongside web, store and marketplace channels so the customer experience is joined up.
• Build business cases, value models and roadmaps that connect technology decisions to revenue, conversion, margin and cost to serve.
• Build demo storefronts and prototypes quickly, such as a Shopify store or composable proof of concept, to show clients what is possible and reduce risk in their decisions.
• Own the solution story, architecture, assumptions and effort estimates in proposals, and present them with confidence at pitch.
• Make sure what is sold can be delivered, with a clean handover to delivery teams and continued involvement through mobilisation.
• Track the commerce market, including cloud (AWS, GCP), AI in commerce and agentic commerce, and share that knowledge to strengthen propositions and partner relationships.
• Take part in client governance and work with commercial teams to identify and shape technical growth opportunities.

Requirements

• Extensive senior enterprise commerce experience across retail, consumer brands or B2B, gained in digital agencies, consultancies or large brands.
• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Commerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud and Shopify, plus composable and MACH components such as Commerce tools, Contentful, Algolia, Akeneo or similar.
• A record of shaping and winning significant commerce deals, running workshops, writing proposals and presenting to senior audiences.
• Commercial sense: you understand how clients make money and can discuss value, cost and return with a Chief Executive or Chief Financial Officer as easily as with a Chief Technology Officer.
• Hands-on understanding of how commerce connects with ERP, order management, product information, customer data and analytics, and the integration patterns that make it work.
• Solid grasp of mobile commerce app architecture and delivery, including native and cross platform approaches and how apps connect to headless commerce services.
• Excellent diagramming, writing and speaking skills. You can turn complex estates into simple pictures and clear stories for senior audiences.
• Hands-on credibility: you can build a demo store, configure a platform or prove a concept yourself, rather than relying on slides alone.
• Confident, direct and credible with clients, able to cut through noise and lead the room.
• Even better: certifications in Adobe Commerce, Salesforce B2C Commerce or Shopify, or MACH.
• Even better: AWS certification (Solutions Architect Associate or Professional) and experience running commerce on cloud solutions.
• Even better: experience with order management, product information management or marketplace platforms.
• Even better: B2B commerce experience, including complex pricing, catalogue and account structures.
• Even better: knowledge of agentic commerce, emerging standards (ACP, AP2, A2A) and practical use of AI in commerce.
• Even better: experience with total cost of ownership and business case modelling.
• Even better: familiarity with the C4 model and diagrams as code.

Conditions

Permanent contract only.

AI is used in recruitment only for secure, objective note-taking, never for evaluative judgments. You can request a transcript of the notes or opt out at any time, and opting out does not affect the interview outcome.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and considers all applicants without discrimination.

Benefits

• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Training opportunities and support for career development.
• Competitive pension, medical insurance and life assurance.
• Social events, the option to buy and sell holidays and family friendly policies.
• Discounts with hundreds of retailers, and more.