At a Glance
- Tasks: Define and evolve technology architecture for multiple retail brands, ensuring alignment with business priorities.
- Company: Dynamic retail organisation with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a team that values creativity and offers excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape integrated solutions and make a real impact in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Solution Architect with strong Azure Integration Services skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Kingston-on-Thames (4 days in office, 1 day from home) 37.5 hours
Purpose of the role
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.
Key Responsibilities
- 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
Key Deliverables
- 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.
Required Skills & Experience
- 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.
Solutions Architect in Kingston upon Thames employer: Crew Clothing Company
As a Solutions Architect at our Kingston-on-Thames location, you will thrive in a dynamic work environment that champions innovation and collaboration across multiple retail brands. We offer a flexible working arrangement with four days in the office and one day from home, fostering a culture of teamwork while prioritising your work-life balance. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous learning opportunities and a focus on building internal capabilities, making us an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in technology architecture.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solutions Architect in Kingston upon Thames
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend meetups, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its tech stack. Understand their architecture and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Be ready to tackle real-world scenarios they might throw at you during interviews. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to deliver integrated solutions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Solutions Architect in Kingston upon Thames
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Solutions Architect. Highlight your experience with Azure Integration Services and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to simplify complex environments. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your skills align with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your experience in architecture governance and design authority processes, as these are key for us.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can demonstrate their ability to deliver integrated solutions and manage stakeholder expectations effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crew Clothing Company
✨Know Your Architecture Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the principles of architecture and integration, especially with Azure Integration Services. Brush up on your understanding of canonical data models and system contracts, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past roles where you simplified complex environments or established architecture governance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your impact.
✨Understand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with the retail brands mentioned in the job description. Knowing how technology can align with business priorities like cost efficiency and stability will demonstrate your strategic thinking and relevance to the role.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Be ready to talk about your experience in stakeholder management, particularly with senior leadership. Think of examples where you successfully engaged stakeholders to drive architectural decisions or changes, as this is crucial for the role.
