Solution Architect

Description

You will hold a senior role in large transformation programmes, owning solution direction from early discovery through to delivery.

You will shape complex business needs and goals into architectures that are coherent, scalable and secure, with a main focus on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and how it connects to the rest of the technology estate.

You will work with business, architecture, product, engineering, delivery and operations colleagues to set the architectural direction that turns plans into workable solutions. You will weigh options and trade-offs, own High-Level Designs and guide solutions through architecture governance, giving engineering teams clear decisions, principles and guardrails.

The role is highly visible and gives you real influence over senior decisions. You will work closely with Programme Directors, Business Owners and technology leaders, explaining options, risks and recommendations in plain business language while staying involved through Agile delivery.

The company has been keeping Britain moving for over 100 years and serves millions of drivers. It has a 4.5-star Glassdoor rating and has been named in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work list for two years running.

The work includes shaping and embedding the company's critical data governance operating model across a large, complex organisation. You will help build a Group-wide capability with strong executive sponsorship, with the chance to influence how data is governed from an early stage. You will help make sure trusted, high-quality data supports better decisions, customer outcomes and the company's growing Data and AI ambitions.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end solution architecture for large, complex transformation work, from discovery and requirements through governance, engineering handover and delivery
• Design Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions that integrate properly with enterprise applications, data platforms, digital channels and legacy systems
• Turn business capabilities and outcomes into architectures covering applications, integration, data, security, resilience, non-functional requirements and operations
• Write Solution Options Papers and High-Level Designs, assessing technical, business, commercial, delivery and operational trade-offs and setting direction and guardrails
• Take solutions through formal architecture governance, including design reviews, Architecture Decision Records and governance boards, answering challenge and making sure decisions and actions move forward
• Work with Product, Engineering and Delivery teams through Agile delivery, handing over cleanly into detailed design and staying involved to resolve architectural issues, risks and dependencies

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Solution Architect on large, complex transformation programmes, owning solution direction from discovery through to delivery
• Strong Microsoft Dynamics 365 architecture experience, including its integration with wider enterprise platforms, data, digital channels and legacy systems
• Strong end-to-end solution design across applications, integration, data, security, resilience, operational and non-functional requirements
• Proven experience producing Solution Options Papers and High-Level Designs, weighing complex trade-offs and giving clear recommendations and guardrails to engineering teams
• Experience working within formal architecture governance and in Agile or product-led delivery, evolving architecture iteratively with Product, Engineering and Delivery
• Strong senior stakeholder leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to work autonomously, handle ambiguity and explain complex architecture, options and risks clearly up to SteerCo and executive level
• TOGAF, BCS or another relevant architecture qualification
• Experience using enterprise architecture modelling tools such as Orbus, Abacus or MEGA
• Experience architecting customer-facing digital, CRM or customer experience platforms

Conditions

Permanent, full-time role

Hybrid working

The company values diverse perspectives and runs employee communities and inclusion initiatives to help everyone feel respected and able to do their best work.

Benefits

• Annual bonus, cash car allowance and private medical insurance
• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, with the option to buy extra holiday
• Employer pension contribution of up to 7%
• Free breakdown membership from day one, with 50% off for family and friends, plus discounts on products including car and home insurance
• 24/7 GP access and wellbeing support for you and your family
• Wide range of employee discounts, including a car salary sacrifice scheme