Solution Architect

Description

Senior architect role on major transformation programmes, owning solution direction from early discovery through to delivery.

The focus is Microsoft Dynamics 365 solutions and how they connect with the wider technology estate.

You turn complex business needs and outcomes into scalable, secure architectures.

You work with business, architecture, product, engineering, delivery and operations teams to set architectural direction, weigh options and trade-offs, own High Level Designs and take solutions through architecture governance.

Engineering teams receive clear decisions, principles and guardrails for detailed design and build.

This is a highly visible role: you bring structure to hard transformation problems and shape senior decisions alongside Programme Directors, Business Owners and technology leaders.

You explain options, risks and recommendations in plain business language and stay involved through Agile delivery.

The company has been keeping Britain moving for over a century, and millions of drivers rely on it. It has a 4.5-star Glassdoor rating and was named in the Sunday Times 'Best Places to Work' list for the last two years.

Responsibilities

• Take end-to-end ownership of architecture for large, intricate 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 technology.
• Turn business capabilities and outcomes into joined-up architectures covering applications, integration, data, security, resilience, nonfunctional needs and operations.
• Write Solution Options Papers and High-Level Designs, weighing technology, business, commercial, delivery and operational trade-offs, then set direction and guardrails.
• Drive solutions through formal governance, including design reviews, Architecture Decision Records and governance boards. Respond to challenge and make sure decisions and actions move forward.
• Work alongside Product, Engineering and Delivery teams in Agile transformation, handing over cleanly into detailed design and staying involved to resolve architectural issues, risks and dependencies.

Requirements

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

Conditions

Based in Basingstoke, hybrid with 3 office days per week.

Permanent, full-time position.

The company values different perspectives and wants everyone to feel respected and able to do their best work.

Benefits

• An annual bonus, a cash car allowance and private medical cover.
• 25 days of holiday on top of bank holidays, with the option to buy extra days.
• Employer pension contribution of up to 7%.
• Free breakdown cover from day one, 50% off for family and friends, and discounts on the company's car and home insurance.
• A 24/7 GP service, with wellbeing support extended to your household.
• Many staff discounts, including a car salary sacrifice option.
• Help shape and embed the company's data governance model across a big, intricate organisation.
• Build a Group-wide capability backed by strong executive sponsorship, with the chance to influence data governance early on.
• Help make trusted, high-quality data support better decisions, customer outcomes and the company's growing Data and AI plans.