At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape tech solutions for Penguin Random House and lead SAP transformations.
- Company: Join a creative team at Penguin Random House, a leader in publishing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £90,000, bonus scheme, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Flexible working with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with innovative tech in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Strong SAP experience and solution architecture skills required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an experienced SAP Solution Architect to join our ERP Architecture Team and play a key role in shaping the technology solutions that support Penguin Random House UK. This role is offered on a permanent basis with hybrid working from our office in London. Reporting to the Enterprise Architect and sitting at the intersection of business needs and technology, you’ll take complex problems and help to turn them into clear and sustainable solutions. With SAP at the heart of your remit, you’ll work across our highly integrated application landscape, bringing together the right people and expertise to make sure that solutions work not just on paper, but for the business in practice. This is a senior, highly collaborative role where you’ll bring technical expertise, commercial thinking and pragmatic problem-solving to a variety of projects. You’ll have the opportunity to influence important technology decisions, challenge thinking and help to shape solutions that are built to last.
About the team
The Technology team provides expertise and effective solutions to Penguin Random House. We integrate flexibility and agility which supports our consistent way of working. We set ourselves up for success by holding ourselves accountable and welcoming change. Each member of the Technology team brings skill and initiative to their role; we take personal ownership within a one team culture, working collaboratively to meet expectations from our stakeholders who trust us to deliver.
The role
Key responsibilities:
- Playing a key role in our S/4HANA migration programme, providing solution architecture expertise and helping to guide the transition from our existing SAP landscape.
- Partnering with SAP Functional and Technical teams to develop strategies and standards for the SAP and Finance Centre of Excellence.
- Owning the design of SAP's system APIs: simple, record-based RESTful/OData services (create, read, update, delete) for core objects such as Customer, Sales Order and Invoice, exposed through SAP BTP ensuring they are resilient and ‘future proof’ to support a migration to S/4HANA.
- Partnering with Integration Services to deliver an API-first approach.
- Assessing project requirements, objectives, priorities and the existing technology environment to define and document high-level solution designs.
- Taking ownership of the architecture, design, integrity and technical quality of solutions, ensuring that they meet agreed requirements and standards.
- Identifying technical risks and solution gaps, recommending appropriate actions and mitigation strategies throughout design and delivery.
- Developing high-level architecture models across areas such as components, data flows, deployment and integration, including transitional architecture where required.
- Working with Project Managers, Functional Analysts and Business Analysts to support project planning, including resource requirements, costs and delivery estimates.
- Evaluating non-functional requirements and defining appropriate technical acceptance criteria.
- Reviewing designs, prototypes and other technical deliverables to make sure that they meet requirements and agreed IT standards.
- Building strong relationships across SAP, Finance, Technology and project teams, providing continuity and trusted technical leadership throughout the programme.
- Keeping up to date with emerging SAP technologies, tools and industry developments, identifying where these could provide value to Penguin Random House UK.
What you’ll bring
Essential criteria:
- Strong SAP experience, with a good understanding of core Finance and back-office business processes, including Accounts Payable, Customer Services and Credit Services.
- Strong experience of solution architecture and design, with knowledge of application architecture and design methodologies across multiple platforms.
- Proven experience designing and delivering RESTful/OData APIs over SAP ECC or S/4HANA, including CRUD services for core business objects, using SAP BTP (Integration Suite, API Management) or equivalent.
- Strong understanding of API-led integration, clean core principles and decoupling consumers from SAP through stable, versioned interfaces.
- Experience supporting or leading an SAP S/4HANA migration or transformation programme, ideally within a complex and highly integrated environment.
- Experience with translating complex business requirements into clear, practical technical solutions that support wider business objectives.
- Experience in working collaboratively with SAP Functional and Technical teams, as well as wider Technology, Finance and business stakeholders.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with experience of translating complex technical ideas for different audiences, including senior leaders and executives.
- Strong influencing, facilitation and negotiation skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively, communicate trade-offs and help stakeholders to reach informed decisions.
- Experience of working within a large, matrix organisation, building strong relationships across teams and maintaining a collaborative, One Team approach.
- A proactive and pragmatic approach to problem-solving, with the ability to take ownership and adapt as requirements, technology and priorities evolve.
Desirable criteria
- Experience of providing solution architecture expertise across a large-scale, multi-year transformation programme.
Application instructions
Please apply with your CV by 23:59 on Monday 16th November 2026.
Salary
The salary for this opportunity is up to 90,000 depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus a generous bonus scheme and benefits.
Hybrid working
While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect that you will work from the Embassy Gardens office in London 2 days per week, with a willingness to travel to our site in Frating, Colchester on occasion.
SAP Solution Architect in Kennington employer: Bertelsmann
At DK, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while providing ample opportunities for professional growth and development within the finance sector. Join us in the UK, where you will be part of a supportive team dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the publishing industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SAP Solution Architect in Kennington
✨Tap into SAP Communities
Join online forums and communities dedicated to SAP ERP systems, like ASUG or SAP Community. Getting involved can help us understand current trends, gain insights, and even make valuable connections that might lead us to our next big opportunity!
✨Focus on Industry-Specific Networking
Attend industry-specific meetups, conferences, or webinars focused on SAP and ERP systems. Meeting professionals in person or virtually can set us apart and give us a chance to showcase our passion for this sector!
✨Polish Your SAP Skills
If you haven't already, consider getting certified in SAP modules relevant to your desired role. Not only does this boost our credibility, but it also opens doors to networking opportunities with fellow SAP professionals who might know about full-time openings at Bertelsmann.
✨Check Out Bertelsmann Directly
Keep an eye on Bertelsmann’s career page for openings, especially for roles that match our skill set. Applying through their website can sometimes give us a better shot at getting noticed than going through job boards.
We think you need these skills to ace SAP Solution Architect in Kennington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your SAP Experience:When applying for the SAP Solution Architect role at Bertelsmann, make sure your CV shines with any direct experience you have using SAP ERP systems. If you've completed any relevant projects, list them out and emphasise the outcomes you achieved – this will show us that you can hit the ground running!
Showcase Relevant Certifications:Certifications are a big deal in the SAP world. If you've earned any SAP-related qualifications, like SAP Certified Application Associate, don’t be shy about listing them prominently. They can really set you apart and prove your commitment to mastering the tools we use at Bertelsmann.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Us:In your cover letter, take the time to explain why you're specifically drawn to this role at Bertelsmann. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in our mission and how you can contribute to our team with your skills in SAP ERP. Make it personal – it helps us get to know you better!
Be Clear About Your Availability:Since this is a full-time position, clearly state your availability in your application. If you have any specific start dates in mind or you're flexible, let us know! It helps us get a better picture of how soon you could join our team at Bertelsmann.
How to prepare for a job interview at Bertelsmann
✨Brush Up on SAP Modules
Make sure you're well-versed in the specific SAP modules relevant to the role at Bertelsmann. Study the functionalities and configurations of the modules they've listed in the job description, as you'll likely face technical questions about them.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Be ready to showcase your analytical skills during the interview. You might be asked to solve a scenario involving data analysis or reporting, so think about past experiences where you’ve extracted valuable insights from SAP data.
✨Know Your Integration Points
Since SAP ERP often interacts with various other systems, brush up on how these integrations work. Be prepared to discuss your experience with middleware tools or connecting different modules—this knowledge can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Show Enthusiasm for Continuous Learning
In a full-time role, you'll be expected to keep your skills sharp as SAP continually evolves. Express your eagerness for ongoing training and projects where you've taken the initiative to further your understanding of new SAP technologies.