Solutions Architect, Kingston upon Thames

Kingston-on-Thames (4 days in office, 1 day from home) – 37.5 hours

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.

• 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

• 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.

• Proven experience as a Solution Architect in simplifying complex, integration-heavy environments.
• Strong experience with Azure Integration Services and API‑led architecture.
• Experience defining:
  • Integration contracts.
  • Canonical data models.
  • 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.

Compensation: Competitive salary