We are searching for an exceptional Enterprise Architect to join our network of professional associate consultants. This is a freelance opportunity to work with Delafeld Partners and our clients on a project‑by‑project basis (outside of IR35). Projects typically range from 3 to 18 months. Flexibility in availability is appreciated, depending on the project size and timeline.
This will be an ‘Enterprise as a Service’ role, blending architectural vision, governance, and guidance across the organisation to ensure that business strategy and technology capabilities are aligned while maintaining operational stability and efficiency, enabling the organisation to scale efficiently, deliver exceptional customer experiences, and adapt to the fast‑moving retail landscape.
You will be responsible for shaping and governing the organisation’s technology architecture to support the retail strategy across stores, e‑commerce, supply chain, and customer engagement platforms.
Key Responsibilities
Architecture Strategy & Vision
* Define and maintain the enterprise architecture strategy aligned to the organisation’s retail and digital strategy.
* Develop and communicate the technology roadmap and future‑state architecture supporting omnichannel retail, including stores, e‑commerce and customer platforms.
* Translate business strategy into architectural principles, standards, and capabilities across customer, product, supply chain and operations.
* Ensure technology architecture supports scalable growth, customer experience, and operational efficiency.
Business & Technology Alignment
* Partner with senior business leaders across Digital, Retail Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Finance.
* Translate business priorities into technology capabilities and architectural roadmaps.
* Provide strategic guidance on technology investment decisions.
* Ensure architecture supports retail innovation, customer engagement, and operational efficiency.
* Support major programmes and projects with architectural guidance.
* Ensure solution designs are aligned with enterprise architecture.
* Provide oversight on complex technology initiatives.
* Evaluate new technologies that could enhance customer experience or operational efficiency.
* Monitor emerging technologies relevant to retail such as:
o AI and data‑driven personalisation
o Customer analytics and segmentation
o Microservices and API ecosystems
o Retail automation and supply chain optimisation
* Support technology vendor selection and architecture design for third‑party platforms.
* Provide architectural input into procurement and technology sourcing decisions.
* Ensure vendor solutions integrate effectively within the enterprise architecture.
* Build and maintain architecture documentation and repositories.
* Promote architecture practices across technology and delivery teams.
* Support the development of architecture skills across the organisation.
* Mentor solution architects and technical leaders.
Technical Knowledge
Strong understanding of multiple architecture domains including:
* Data and analytics architecture
* Integration and API architecture
* Cloud and infrastructure architecture
* Security and identity architecture
Experience with modern platforms and approaches such as:
* Microservices and event‑driven architectures
* Modern commerce platforms (e.g., Shopify, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Adobe Commerce)
* Data platforms and analytics ecosystems
Business Skills
* Strong strategic thinking and business acumen.
* Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business language.
* Experience supporting technology investment decisions.
Leadership & Communication
* Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
* Ability to communicate architecture vision across technical and non‑technical audiences.
* Excellent facilitation, presentation, and collaboration skills.
Qualifications
* Computer Science, Engineering or similar degree or equivalent experience.
* Formal training and/or qualifications in TOGAF, Agile SCRUM, SAFE, SDLC, CX, ITIL or similar.
Skills and Experience
* 10–15+ years of experience in IT, digital, or technology leadership roles.
* Proven experience in enterprise architecture or senior solution architecture roles in retail, consumer or e‑commerce environments.
* Experience designing and evolving large‑scale enterprise systems.
* Track record of influencing senior stakeholders and driving technology strategy.
Attributes
* You thrive in a fast‑paced client focused environment.
* You are a self‑starter that handles ambiguity, solves problems and makes things happen with limited direction.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to focus on client outcomes whilst protecting our commercial position with the client and enhancing our reputation.
* You focus on working collaboratively with the Delafeld team to make each other successful.
Location
Hybrid – 2 days a week Wakefield office.
Contract type
Outside of IR35, contractor agreement based on statements of work.
Commitment
Full time 3-6 Months
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