Solutions Architect
Kingston-on-Thames (4 days in office, 1 day from home)
37.5 hours
Purpose of the role
The Solution Architect is responsible for defining,
governing, and evolving the organisation’s technology architecture across
multiple retail brands (Crew Clothing, Ben Sherman, Pringle, Saltrock),
ensuring alignment to business priorities of stability, cost efficiency, and
enterprise standardisation.
This is a hands-on architectural role focused on shaping and
delivering integrated solutions across a complex, supplier-led environment. The
role will establish clear system contracts, integration patterns, canonical
data models, and architectural governance—enabling scalable, reliable, and
cost-effective technology solutions.
The Solution Architect will play a key role in transitioning
the organisation towards a unified enterprise architecture, reducing
fragmentation across brands, and increasing internal capability and control
over technology decisions.
Key Responsibilities
* Architecture & Strategy
* Solution Design & Integration
* Data Architecture
* Architecture Governance & TDA
* Change & Service Alignment
* Supplier & Delivery Oversight
* Technology Estate Transformation
* Team Collaboration & Leadership
* Capability Building & Best Practice
Key Deliverables
* As-Is
architecture documentation (systems, integrations, data flows).
* Target
enterprise architecture model across brands. Solution
architecture designs for key initiatives.
* Integration
architecture and patterns (Azure Integration Services).
* System
contracts and API/interface definitions.
* Canonical
Data Models and governance framework.
* Architecture
standards, principles, and design guidelines.
* Technical
Design Authority (TDA) framework and outputs.
* Technology
roadmap for platform consolidation.
* Architecture
inputs into Change Enablement processes.
* Supplier
design assurance artefacts.
* Centralised
architecture repository and documentation.
Required Skills & Experience
* Proven
experience as a Solution Architect in simplifying complex,
integration-heavy environments.
* Strong
experience with Azure Integration Services and API-led architecture.
* Experience
defining:
o Integration
contracts.
o Canonical
data models.
o End-to-end
system designs.
* Experience
establishing architecture governance and design authority processes
(e.g. TDA).
* Strong
background working in supplier-led delivery environments, including
design assurance.
* Experience
delivering retail/ecommerce and operational systems integration.
* Strong
understanding of change lifecycle and service transition considerations.
* Ability
to operate effectively in a low-maturity or growing IT function.
* Excellent
stakeholder management, including senior leadership engagement.