At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technical strategy and drive architectural best practices in a dynamic retail environment.
- Company: Join M&S, a beloved brand at the forefront of digital transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 20% discount, competitive holidays, and tailored training from day one.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with strong support for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a forward-thinking team shaping the future of retail technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in architecture governance, cloud technologies, and enterprise architecture principles.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Practice Architect to join our growing Architecture team! At M&S, technology is at the heart of our transformation journey — powering millions of customer interactions and enabling thousands of colleagues every day. As we continue to evolve and invest in strategic technology, we’re expanding our architecture capability to ensure we remain differentiated and future-ready. This is your opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking team that’s shaping the digital backbone of a beloved retail brand.
What you'll do
- As a technical leader, you will collaborate with stakeholders to define and evolve the technical strategy for your practice.
- You will also facilitate and assist with the prioritisation of delivery to maximise business value and outcomes.
- Drive architectural best practices and ensure coherence with enterprise standards within the assigned domain or technology practice.
- Assist in defining learning pathways, maintaining accreditations and supporting IT compliance (e.g. ISO27001, AWS Solution Architects).
- Guide stakeholder collaboration and translate business needs into architectural requirements.
- Assess and develop technical capabilities within Tribes.
Who you are
- Experience with architecture governance processes and compliance requirements.
- Cloud technologies, data & integration, security & compliance, DevOps & engineering practices and architectural tools & frameworks.
- Strong understanding of enterprise architecture principles, patterns, and best practices.
- Proficiency in architecture modelling, design, and documentation tools.
- Knowledge of software development methodologies, frameworks, and tools.
What’s in it for you?
Working at M&S means being part of something bigger - helping to deliver quality, value and service to millions of customers every day. We’re inclusive, fast-moving and always evolving, with a strong sense of purpose and a focus on doing the right thing. Here are just a few of the benefits that make working here even more rewarding:
- 20% colleague discount on all M&S products and many third-party brands for you and someone in your household, available once you’ve completed your probation.
- Competitive holiday allowance with the option to buy more.
- Discretionary bonus schemes linked to your performance and ours.
- Strong pension and life assurance to help plan for the future.
- Tailored induction and training to support your development from day one.
- Exclusive perks and savings through our M&S Choices portal.
- Market-leading family policies, including parental, adoption and neonatal leave.
- 24/7 wellbeing support, including virtual GP access and mental health services.
- One paid volunteer day a year to support a cause that matters to you.
Everyone’s welcome. We are ambitious about the future of retail. We’re disrupting, innovating and leading the industry into a more conscientious, inspiring digital era. We’re transforming how we work together and offering our most exciting opportunities yet. Marks & Spencer strives to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers and suppliers. Join us and make change happen. We are committed to building diverse and representative teams, where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and be at their best. We support each other and work together to win together. If you feel you'd benefit from any support or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process, please don’t hesitate to let us know when completing your application. This information will be picked up by our team, so we can try and put steps in place to help you be at your best through this process.
Practice Architect - Ways of Working employer: Marks & Spencer
At M&S, we pride ourselves on being an inclusive and forward-thinking employer, where technology plays a pivotal role in our transformation journey. As a Practice Architect, you'll not only contribute to shaping the digital backbone of a beloved retail brand but also enjoy a range of benefits including a generous colleague discount, competitive holiday allowance, and tailored training from day one. Join us in a dynamic work culture that values collaboration, innovation, and personal growth, all while making a meaningful impact on millions of customers every day.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Practice Architect - Ways of Working
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at M&S on LinkedIn or through your connections. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Practice Architect role. Personal connections can give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into M&S's tech initiatives. Familiarise yourself with their architecture practices and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who’s genuinely excited about shaping their digital backbone.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to refine your responses. Focus on articulating your architectural knowledge and how it can drive business value at M&S. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team. Let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Practice Architect - Ways of Working
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience with architecture governance and cloud technologies. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Practice Architect, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:When detailing your experience, focus on your proficiency in architectural tools and frameworks. We’re keen to know how you’ve applied these in real-world scenarios, so give us some juicy examples!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. Remember, we want to understand your journey and how you can contribute to our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks & Spencer
✨Know Your Architecture Principles
Make sure you brush up on enterprise architecture principles, patterns, and best practices. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in your previous roles, especially in relation to cloud technologies and compliance requirements.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
As a Practice Architect, you'll need to work closely with stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully collaborated in the past, translating business needs into architectural requirements. This will demonstrate your ability to drive architectural best practices.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Compliance Standards
Since compliance is key in this role, make sure you understand relevant standards like ISO27001. Be prepared to discuss how you've maintained accreditations and supported IT compliance in your previous positions.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to architecture modelling, design, and documentation tools. Brush up on your knowledge of software development methodologies and be ready to explain how you've used these tools effectively in your work.
