At a Glance
- Tasks: Design innovative solution architectures for Corporate Functions like Finance and HR.
- Company: Join Haleon, a forward-thinking company committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and contribute to a culture of innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping solutions that drive efficiency and security.
- Qualifications: Experience in solution architecture and a knack for translating business needs into designs.
The Corporate Functions Solution Architect is a hands‑on architecture role within Digital & Technology (D&T), accountable for designing end‑to‑end solution architectures that enable Corporate Functions outcomes across Finance, HR, Procurement, Legal, and Corporate Affairs. Working under the Corporate Functions Domain Architect, the role translates the target architecture, standards and guardrails into practical solution designs that delivery teams can build and operate.
Role purpose
To design and govern practical, secure and scalable Corporate Functions solution architectures that enable delivery teams to deliver outcomes quickly and consistently, aligned to the Corporate Functions target architecture and enterprise standards.
Key accountabilities
- Design end‑to‑end solution architectures for Corporate Functions initiatives across Finance, HR, Procurement, Legal and Corporate Affairs.
- Ensure solution designs align to Corporate Functions domain guardrails and enterprise architecture standards.
- Embed security, privacy, compliance and operational resilience into solution designs by default.
- Provide architecture governance and implementation guidance through the full lifecycle (design → build → deploy → operational readiness).
- Drive reuse of patterns and reduction of localised complexity to support convergence on fewer strategic global platforms.
Key responsibilities
- Solution Architecture & Design (Corporate Functions)
- Produce implementable solution designs covering functional and non‑functional requirements including security, resilience, scalability, performance, maintainability and operability.
- Translate business requirements into clear solution architecture artefacts (logical designs, integration diagrams, data flows, deployment and operational views).
- Ensure designs support end‑to‑end outcomes across corporate functions, not siloed system implementations.
- Platform‑Aligned Solution Design (Workday / Procure‑to‑Pay / Legal Tech / Corporate Affairs)
- Work within the platform and target architecture direction set by the Corporate Functions Domain Architect, ensuring solutions align to the strategic platform landscape and avoid unnecessary customisation.
- Partner with platform/product owners and SMEs (e.g., HCM, procurement, legal systems) to design solutions that balance standardisation with necessary extensions.
- ERP / SAP Alignment (in partnership with ERP Domain Architect and Corporate Functions Domain Architect)
- Ensure Corporate Functions solutions that touch Finance processes integrate cleanly with ERP/SAP capabilities and do not introduce duplication or reconciliation risk.
- Support end‑to‑end process integrity (e.g., procure‑to‑pay, hire‑to‑retire, contract‑to‑cash impacts) by aligning solution designs with enterprise process architecture.
- Integration, Data & Cross‑Domain Alignment
- Design integrations and data flows across corporate platforms and enterprise domains (e.g., HR Finance, Procurement AP, Legal accruals/controls), aligned to agreed patterns and standards.
- Define APIs, middleware patterns and data models that enable secure, reliable, auditable information flows and minimise point‑to‑point complexity.
- Security, Privacy, Controls & Resilience by Design
- Embed security and privacy requirements from the outset, aligned to Haleon standards and regulatory expectations (e.g., SOX/GDPR where applicable).
- Ensure solution designs support control operation, auditability and operational resilience (including clear operational ownership, monitoring and recovery considerations).
- Architecture Governance & Delivery Assurance
- Provide implementation governance to delivery teams: architecture reviews, design sign‑off inputs, build alignment checks, and guidance to resolve architectural blockers during delivery.
- Document architecture decisions, trade‑offs and risks clearly, escalating systemic concerns to the Corporate Functions Domain Architect.
- Standardisation, Reuse & Simplification
- Drive reuse of reference patterns, shared services and integration standards across corporate functions solutions to reduce bespoke build and improve maintainability.
- Identify duplication or tool sprawl and recommend simplified solution approaches aligned to strategic platforms and enterprise direction.
- Stakeholder & Community Collaboration
- Act as a bridge between Product, Engineering, Data, Security, and Delivery stakeholders, ensuring architecture is understood and implemented consistently.
- Contribute to architecture communities of practice, improving patterns, templates and standards and sharing learnings across teams.
What good looks like
- Delivery teams have clear, implementable solution designs and build with speed and confidence.
- Solutions align to corporate functions target architecture and avoid unnecessary customisation or duplication.
- Security, privacy, control operation and resilience are embedded by design, not retrofitted.
- Integration and data flows support end‑to‑end processes without manual workarounds or reconciliation risk.
- Architectural risks and technical debt are surfaced early with clear remediation recommendations.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- Demonstrated experience as a Solution Architect in Digital/Technology environments, with hands‑on system design capability.
- Proven ability to translate business requirements into implementable solution architectures and guide delivery teams through implementation governance.
- Strong understanding of enterprise integration patterns, APIs, and data flows.
- Experience embedding security, privacy, compliance and operational controls into solution designs.
Preferred
- Experience architecting solutions in one or more corporate functions domains (Finance/HR/Procurement/Legal/Corporate Affairs).
- Experience working in environments aligned to strategic enterprise platforms and standards‑first approaches.
- Experience operating within architecture governance and standards models at scale.
Skills & Capabilities
- Strong solution design skills: logical architecture, integration, data flows, non‑functional design.
- Ability to provide pragmatic “minimum viable architecture” guidance that accelerates delivery.
- Clear communication and stakeholder management across Product, Engineering and Delivery teams.
- Structured problem solving and comfort operating across ambiguity and trade‑offs.
Solution Architect employer: Haleon
Haleon is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, where innovation thrives and employees are empowered to make impactful contributions. With a strong focus on professional development, employees in the Solution Architect role can expect ample opportunities for growth and advancement, supported by a commitment to embedding security and resilience in all solution designs. Located in a vibrant environment, Haleon offers unique advantages such as access to cutting-edge technology and a diverse community, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solution Architect
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
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Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Haleon might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
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Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Haleon!
✨Direct Apply to Haleon
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We think you need these skills to ace Solution Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Haleon.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Haleon. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Haleon
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
