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- Tasks: Lead a team of architects, define standards, and drive tech modernisation.
- Company: CEF is a global electrical wholesaler with over 1,000 locations worldwide, committed to customer service.
- Benefits: Enjoy a collaborative culture, opportunities for growth, and the chance to innovate in tech.
- Why this job: Join us to shape the future of technology in a forward-thinking environment that values creativity.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership in architecture roles, experience with HLD/LLD, and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: We welcome unique perspectives; apply even if you don't meet every requirement!
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
At City Electrical Factors, we encourage our people to ask questions, create, discover, and learn. If you're passionate about what you do and think you can contribute, we encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every requirement listed. Your unique experiences and perspectives could be exactly what we need to grow and innovate. Let's build something great together!
About CEF: CEF is a global electrical wholesaler, providing electrical products to people in the industry known for its extensive range of products and commitment to customer service. Founded in 1951 in the United Kingdom, it has since expanded to over 1,000 locations across multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe.
We in IT are delivering value to our business and our customers with the innovative solutions that enable our business to better serve our customers today and in the future. We recognise that technology and data are at the forefront of this. Our Global IT team deliver a portfolio of transformative work, expand our digital options, upgrade and future-proof our systems to place us at the forefront of the marketplace. To do this, we need talented and creative people across all areas to join us in delivering our evolution to enable our forward-thinking business over the next few years and beyond, and this is where you come in...
What’s the role about? You’ll be leading a team of Solution and Data Architects, working hand-in-hand with our domain teams, technical leadership and stakeholders across the UK, US and beyond. You’ll be setting standards, driving modernisation, and helping us unlock serious value through tech. We’re scaling up our digital footprint, modernising legacy platforms and introducing smarter, better ways of working—your architecture guidance will be critical in making that happen.
What you’ll be doing:
- Coaching and growing a team of architects (initially ~5)
- Defining standards and architecture guardrails to support delivery at pace
- Translating technical vision into action, working closely with product and engineering teams
- Bringing our global tech strategy to life with smart, incremental delivery
- Driving adoption of best practices (and helping us stay ahead of the curve)
- Being a key player in aligning architecture with business outcomes
What we’re looking for:
- Proven leadership in architecture roles—ideally in a Scaled Agile environment
- Experience with both HLD and LLD
- Strong experience with ArchiMate, EA tools, and architecture modelling
- A confident communicator who can bridge the gap between business and tech
- Someone who knows how to get buy-in and make architecture feel practical, not abstract
- Passionate about coaching and developing people
Recruitment Process:
- Call with Talent Acquisition (30mins)
- MS Teams call with our Global Head of Technology & Architecture and Team Member (60 Mins)
- Meet with our Director of Architecture & Engineering (30 Mins)
Lead Solution Architect employer: CEF - City Electrical Factors - IT
Contact Detail:
CEF - City Electrical Factors - IT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Solution Architect
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with City Electrical Factors' core values and mission. Understanding their commitment to customer service and innovation will help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing how your experience can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and experiences in architecture roles, especially in a Scaled Agile environment. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've coached teams and driven modernisation in previous positions.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your knowledge of ArchiMate and other EA tools. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in architecture modelling during discussions will set you apart as a strong candidate for the Lead Solution Architect role.
✨Tip Number 4
Think about how you can bridge the gap between business and technology. Prepare to articulate how you've successfully gained buy-in from stakeholders in the past, making architecture feel practical and relevant to business outcomes.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Solution Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the key responsibilities and requirements for the Lead Solution Architect position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with what City Electrical Factors is looking for.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise your proven leadership in architecture roles, particularly in a Scaled Agile environment. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully led teams and driven modernisation in previous positions.
Showcase Communication Skills: Since the role requires bridging the gap between business and tech, make sure to demonstrate your confident communication skills. Include instances where you've effectively communicated technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Express Passion for Coaching: City Electrical Factors values coaching and developing people. In your application, share your passion for mentoring and growing teams, along with any relevant experiences that showcase your ability to inspire and lead others.
How to prepare for a job interview at CEF - City Electrical Factors - IT
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead Solution Architect, you'll be expected to lead a team. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership experiences, how you've coached teams, and the impact of your guidance on their performance.
✨Understand the Business Context
Make sure you can articulate how architecture aligns with business outcomes. Research City Electrical Factors and be ready to discuss how your architectural vision can support their goals and enhance customer service.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Agile Methodologies
Since the role mentions a Scaled Agile environment, brush up on Agile principles and practices. Be ready to explain how you've applied these methodologies in past projects and how they can benefit the team at CEF.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Expect to dive deep into technical topics like HLD, LLD, and architecture modelling tools such as ArchiMate. Be ready to discuss your experience with these concepts and how you've used them to drive modernisation in previous roles.
