Anaplan Solution Architect Location: Birmingham | Full-Time | Hybrid/Flexible Working Department: Digital & Technology | Company: Compass Group UK & Ireland Compass Group PLC is the world’s largest provider of food and support services, with over £22.9 billion in global turnover. Serving millions daily across sectors like healthcare, education, defence, and sports & leisure, we’re trusted to deliver excellence at scale. As part of our ongoing digital transformation, we’re investing in smarter, data-driven planning. We’re now looking for an experienced Anaplan Solution Architect to lead the end-to-end design and delivery of enterprise-grade Anaplan solutions that will revolutionise forecasting and financial planning across the business. This is a unique opportunity to drive large-scale transformation in a complex, fast-moving organisation — while influencing executive decision-making and building the future of planning at Compass. What you'll be doing Strategic Architecture & Delivery Own the architecture of large-scale Anaplan implementations, ensuring scalability, performance, and alignment with business goals Translate complex business requirements into efficient, driver-based forecasting solutions across Finance use cases Deliver planning models that integrate seamlessly with Compass’s wider data strategy Champion innovation, best practice, and continuous improvement across all aspects of Anaplan development Technical Leadership Lead a team of Anaplan Model Builders, offering hands-on guidance and technical mentorship Define data needs and work cross-functionally to ensure quality data feeds into the models Oversee full project lifecycles — from design to deployment — ensuring on-time, high-impact delivery Maintain consistent, logical structures across all models using scalable methodologies Stakeholder & Business Engagement Collaborate with Finance, Commercial, and Technology stakeholders to shape use cases and priorities Facilitate workshops, design sessions, and demos with senior leaders and end users Represent the planning function in leadership forums, influencing roadmap direction and adoption Build relationships with Anaplan and other technology partners to ensure maximum value from tools and capabilities Knowledge Sharing & Capability Building Promote knowledge sharing across the wider Anaplan and digital community within Compass Mentor junior team members and help develop internal capability Contribute to cross-functional initiatives across planning, data, and transformation programmes What we're looking for Proven success designing and delivering enterprise-level Anaplan solutions Deep knowledge of financial planning, forecasting, and performance management Strong technical and commercial acumen with experience applying driver-based modelling Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with experience influencing at senior level Experience leading or mentoring model builders and cross-functional teams Anaplan certifications (Model Builder, Solution Architect) strongly preferred Ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on delivery in a complex environment What success looks like Delivery of scalable, high-impact Anaplan solutions that drive forecasting accuracy and insight High adoption and engagement from Finance and commercial users Recognition of the Anaplan function as a key enabler of business performance Consistent delivery of improvements in planning efficiency, process, and visibility Development of team capability and leadership in planning innovation Why join Compass Group? You'll receive a competitive salary and benefits including a Bonus, private healthcare and pension contributions Lead planning transformation for the UK’s largest food & support services business Work in a fast-paced, purpose-driven environment with a strong culture of innovation Access career growth within a global FTSE 100 company Join a collaborative, supportive team where your ideas and expertise are valued Ready to architect the future of enterprise planning? Apply today and help shape how Compass plans, performs, and grows.