At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the architecture direction for customer and omnichannel technology at New Look.
- Company: Join a feel-good fashion brand with over 55 years of making style accessible.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 40% staff discount, healthcare options, and extra leave on your birthday.
- Other info: Collaborate with diverse teams and contribute to exciting technology advancements.
- Why this job: Shape innovative tech solutions that enhance customer experiences in a dynamic retail environment.
- Qualifications: 10-12 years in architecture with a focus on retail or ecommerce preferred.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We’re the feel-good fashion brand making style accessible and fun for over 55 years, on our website, mobile app and over 300 stores in the UK. By living our values - we play to win, customer obsessed, we are one and it starts with me - we deliver That New Look Feeling for our customers and each other.
THE ROLE: As Group Architect for Customer & Omnichannel at New Look, you will be responsible for shaping and leading the architecture direction for New Look’s customer and omnichannel technology landscape. You will ensure that architecture decisions support our business strategy, customer experience ambitions, technology strategy and operational requirements. You will work closely with senior business stakeholders, product leaders, delivery teams, engineering teams, architects and external partners to translate customer and omnichannel needs into clear architecture direction, roadmaps, standards and delivery guidance. You will lead the Solution Architects aligned to the Customer & Omnichannel portfolio, ensuring that solution designs are robust, consistent, scalable, secure and aligned to the wider enterprise architecture.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Architect Leadership: Lead, manage and develop the Solution Architects aligned to the Customer & Omnichannel portfolio. Set clear expectations for architecture quality, stakeholder engagement, delivery support and documentation standards.
- Solution Assurance: Provide oversight and assurance for solution designs, options assessments, high-level designs, key design decisions, architecture decision records and non-functional requirements. Ensure that solution decisions align with the portfolio architecture, enterprise standards and agreed guardrails.
- Collaborate with Stakeholders: Work closely with various departments and external vendors to understand their needs and translate them into practical architecture guidance. Engage with senior and C-level stakeholders where required to ensure the architecture meets business needs and strategic technology requirements.
- Delivery Support: Work with product owners, delivery managers, engineering leads and suppliers to ensure that architecture support is provided at the right point in the delivery lifecycle. Ensure architecture risks, dependencies and decisions are understood early and managed effectively.
- Architecture Governance: Own the Customer & Omnichannel architecture position for architecture review and Design Authority activity. Ensure that material decisions are evidence-based, traceable and aligned to enterprise architecture principles.
- Standards and Patterns: Define and maintain relevant reference architectures, standards, patterns and guidance for the portfolio. Ensure these are practical, reusable and understood by Solution Architects and delivery teams.
- Exception Management: Review architecture exceptions within the portfolio. Ensure deviations are documented, justified, time-bound, owned and supported by an agreed remediation path.
- Architecture Framework Contribution: Contribute to the ongoing development of New Look’s architecture framework, governance process, artefact templates, catalogue model and architecture community.
- Technology Assessment: Evaluate new and emerging technologies that could improve customer, colleague or operational outcomes. Ensure recommendations are aligned to New Look’s business strategy, technology strategy and architecture principles.
- Proofs of Concept: Lead or support proof-of-concept activity where evidence is needed to validate material architecture options. Ensure outcomes are documented and used to inform decision making.
- Supplier and Platform Assessment: Support supplier, SaaS and platform assessments. Ensure selected solutions align with architecture direction, security expectations, integration needs, operational requirements and commercial constraints.
- Responsible Use of AI Tools: Use approved AI tools to support research, synthesis, documentation, review and option analysis. Ensure AI-generated outputs are validated before they are used in decisions, artefacts or stakeholder communication.
- AI-Enabled Architecture: Assess AI-enabled capabilities within the Customer & Omnichannel portfolio for privacy, security, explainability, supportability, customer impact and operational risk. Ensure AI use cases follow the appropriate data, security, legal and architecture governance routes.
- Continuous Improvement: Stay updated with relevant architecture, retail, customer experience and technology trends. Continuously seek opportunities to improve New Look’s architecture direction, delivery support and technology landscape.
- Improve Our Architecture: Continuously review and improve the Customer & Omnichannel architecture to ensure it remains aligned to business strategy, customer expectations, delivery realities and operational needs.
WHO YOU ARE:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, business technology or a related field, or equivalent experience. A master’s degree or relevant specialist certifications such as TOGAF, BCS, Azure, agile or product certifications are preferred.
- At least 10-12 years of experience in enterprise, portfolio, product or solution architecture, with a proven track record in shaping and delivering technology change. Retail, ecommerce or omnichannel experience is strongly preferred.
- Architecture & Technical Experience:
- Architecture Strategy: Experience defining target architectures, roadmaps, transition states and design guardrails across a complex business or technology portfolio.
- Customer & Omnichannel Architecture: Strong understanding of customer-facing and cross-channel architecture, including ecommerce, mobile, stores, customer identity, service experience and fulfilment journeys.
- Architecture Principles: Demonstrable experience of architecture principles, standards, design patterns, architecture views, solution modelling and systems behaviour.
- Solution Translation: Ability to translate business strategy, customer outcomes and future-state capabilities into practical architecture requirements and delivery guidance.
- Integration Awareness: Good understanding of API, event, batch and service interaction patterns, and how they affect customer and omnichannel architecture.
- Data and AI Awareness
- Security and Resilience
- Cloud and Platform Awareness: Good understanding of modern cloud, SaaS, commerce, mobile, content, CRM and service platforms.
- Solution Modelling: Knowledge of different architecture and solution modelling approaches, such as C4, UML and ArchiMate.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Leadership Skills
- Product and Delivery Methods
- Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills
- Communication and Collaboration
- Organisational Savvy
- AI Literacy
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:
- 40% staff discount plus friends & family discounts throughout the year
- Access to our reward platform for external discount and offers
- Profit related bonus scheme
- Option to join our Healthcare Private Medical Scheme
- Virtual GP access for you and your children – it allows you to speak to a doctor at a time and date that suits you
- All employees are covered by our life assurance policy from day one
- Unlock extra leave with our buy more holiday scheme.
- Celebrate YOU! Enjoy an extra paid day off on your birthday each year
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave, and shared parental leave (eligible after 2 years service)
- Spread the cost of your commute with interest-free season ticket loans
- Do your bit for the environment and save money with our Cycle2Work scheme
- We're proud of our partnership with the Retail Trust and Fashion & Textile Children's Trust
Group Architect - Customer & Omnichannel employer: New Look
At New Look, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and inclusive employer that champions creativity and innovation in the fashion retail sector. Our London location offers a vibrant work culture where collaboration thrives, and employees are encouraged to grow through continuous learning and development opportunities. With competitive benefits such as generous staff discounts, healthcare options, and a commitment to work-life balance, we ensure that our team feels valued and empowered to deliver exceptional customer experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Architect - Customer & Omnichannel
✨Get Down to the Fashion Events
Dive headfirst into local fashion shows, trade fairs, and networking events. These are golden opportunities to meet industry pros and showcase your passion for the industry in person. Plus, it gives you the chance to chat about potential roles at places like New Look!
✨Join Fashion-Focused Communities
Become a part of online fashion communities on platforms like Instagram or Pinterest. Participate in discussions and share your insights on trends or your personal style journey. It’s a great way to get noticed by brands looking to fill positions, including New Look.
✨Craft a Rock-Solid Portfolio
Since you're aiming for a full-time gig, your portfolio should reflect not just your best work but also your personality. Whether it’s lookbooks, design sketches, or styling projects, make sure it screams 'you' and includes a bit about why you’d be a perfect fit for New Look.
✨Leverage Your University Connections
If you’re fresh out of university, don’t underestimate your career services. They often have partnerships with fashion companies for internships and entry-level roles. Use this to your advantage and connect with them to find any openings at New Look!
We think you need these skills to ace Group Architect - Customer & Omnichannel
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Style:In the fashion-apparel industry, your personal style and understanding of current trends are crucial. Make sure your CV and cover letter reflect your unique fashion sense – use visuals if you can and highlight any fashion-related experiences or projects that show off your flair!
Highlight Relevant Experience:When you're applying for a full-time role, be sure to focus on any past roles or internships in fashion that’ve honed your skills. Whether that's working in retail, fashion design, or marketing, quantify your achievements and show how they relate to the role at New Look.
Include a Strong Portfolio:An impressive portfolio is key in fashion! Make sure to include a link to your online portfolio in your CV, showcasing your best work, be it designs, campaigns, or styling projects. This is your chance to let your creativity shine and demonstrate your abilities to New Look!
Craft a Standout Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to weave in your passion for fashion and the specific reasons you want to work at New Look. Share your vision of how you'd contribute to their brand and why you're excited about their work. Tailoring this will make you stand out from the crowd!
How to prepare for a job interview at New Look
✨Showcase Your Style Portfolio
For a role in the fashion-apparel industry, having a well-curated portfolio is essential. Ensure you include your best work that reflects your style and creativity, whether it's sketches, lookbooks, or completed designs. Be ready to discuss your design process and the inspirations behind your pieces!
✨Know the Latest Trends and Brands
Being well-versed in current fashion trends and influential brands can give you a leg up in the interview. Get familiar with what’s trending in the market and know your competitors. This shows your passion for the industry and helps you connect your work experience to current fashion trajectories.
✨Demonstrate Your Collaboration Skills
In a full-time fashion role, collaboration is key, whether you’re working with designers, marketers, or suppliers. Be prepared to share experiences where you successfully worked as part of a team or navigated challenges with colleagues. This will highlight your ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
✨Dress the Part
This might sound obvious, but in fashion, how you present yourself is part of your brand. Wear something that represents your personal style while still aligning with the company’s aesthetic. It’s a great way to show you understand the industry's essence and can embody the brand’s image!
