Role Purpose:

To provide a strategic oversight, planning, governance and direction for complex technology stack in this evolving dynamic business. With an experienced background in strategic technology design you will have the vision to advise and architect technology that fulfils the needs of this diverse business, maximising existing investments and identifying opportunities to utilise new technology that is appropriate for our business.

The role will establish the architecture function, setting up governance processes and procedures for others to follow, following TOGAF.  Working closely with the Director of Technology to create a Technology strategy that is aligned to the business strategy.  Collaborating with the business and transformation teams to ensure our technology is constantly evolving and making the most out of industry developments. The role will be responsible for ensuring designs are architected to a high standard. The candidate will have vast experience of producing high level designs across multiple products, with multi-functional assets and will have experience of writing technical system and solution documentation.

Reports to: 

Director of Technology

Posts this job manages:    

Data Architect

Matrix manages Solution Architects

Other key relationships: 

Directors of Department

Heads of Digital Transformation

Business System Specialists

Data Engineers

Location: 

Piccadilly though travel to all sites required on occasion

Responsibilities:

Operational

• Define, create and maintain the technology strategy with the Director of Technology in conjunction with business stakeholders

• Create and implement overarching governance to architecture function, to ensure standards upheld

• Translate requirements from the business into technology designs that are commercially astute

• Provide architecture at the inception stage of each project to ensure that design standards are woven into the fabric of each delivery

• Lead architecture governance, creating, implementing and setting standards across the business

• Assist with problem management. Actively engage in identifying issues and subsequent solutions, whilst working collaboratively across teams and classifying and managing associated risks

• Ensure documentation of all solutions are to the correct standard

• Lead the Design Assurance Group, reviewing and approving all designs and collaborating across team

People & Collaboration

• Lead the architecture function – provide governance and confidence in the strategy

• Acting as a translator between the non-technical business stakeholders and the technical engineers and vice versa

• Support third parties working for or in conjunction with our overall requirements, ensuring that they meet our standards and ways of working

• Keep up to date with trends and new ways of working and emerging trends within the industry and within the technology stack, actively learning and ensuring that new applications and platforms are explored and understood

• Collaborate with each area of the technology teams to share the technology strategy so it is realised

• Act as an ambassador for the technology function within the wider business to explain the role of architecture

• Identify potential risks and challenges in the creation and implementation of the strategy and design process and devise mitigation actions to ensure successful adoption

Previous Experience (including qualifications where relevant)

• Proven experience of working as a Enterprise Architect for a minimum of 10 years, preferably within the Retail sector and exhibit passion for technology.

• Demonstrable experience of the systems listed below that are identified as Essential to the role

• Leadership experience in setting up an architecture function and bedding into an established business

• Relevant certification in D365 architecture and development

Role Specific Criteria (Category/Department/Technical):

Competencies

• 10+ years enterprise architecture experience

• 5+ years management experience

• Experience in Retail & Hospitality

• Leadership experience

Technologies/ Qualifications

• Microsoft Azure

• Microsoft D365

• Databricks

• Integrations platforms

• Adobe

• Adyen

• PIM

• DAM

• Incident and problem management

• ITIL

• TOGAF

• GenAI technologies

• Cisco Meraki

• Data privacy & data regulations including GDPR & PCIDSS

Behaviours

• Ability to manage conflicting priorities and customer expectations

• Team player

• Proactively takes responsibility, owns any issues arising and follows through to resolution

• Strong communication skills – written and verbal

• Outcomes focused and driving results

• Prioritising skills with the ability to manage workload

• Works at pace, but with accuracy and attention to detail

• Financial astute

• Experience of Agile working behaviour

We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation. We respect and embrace each other's differences, to create a truly inclusive environment.

In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards.

In return, we offer:

• A competitive salary

• A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40%

• 25 days holidays pro rata (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday

• A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum’s ingredients

• A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally

• Excellent pension scheme