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- Tasks: Lead the architecture decisions for modernising a major portfolio of business applications.
- Company: Global retailer focused on innovative application solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible onsite work, and opportunity for long-term contracts.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and enhance your career in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail tech and drive impactful application transformations.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in IT, 5+ years as a Solution Architect, with strong modernisation experience.
If you thrive on bringing order, clarity, and direction to complex application estates, this programme needs you. This global retailer is modernising a major portfolio of business applications and needs an experienced Solution Architect to lead architecture decisions, validate 6R treatments, and guide teams through a structured, well-governed modernisation journey.
What You’ll Lead:
- End-to-end solution architecture for a defined application portfolio.
- Application modernisation decisions using 6R frameworks (Rehost, Replatform, Refactor, Retain, Retire).
- As-is, target, and transition architectures across applications, integrations, hosting, and dependencies.
- Architecture for SaaS, COTS, and subscription-based solutions (tenancy, IAM, data lifecycle).
- Architectural governance, assurance, and design reviews across delivery teams and suppliers.
- Solution blueprints, integration designs, and NFR alignment (security, resilience, performance, compliance).
Key requirements:
- Proven Solution Architect experience across complex estates, ideally in retail.
- Strong grounding in application modernisation & rationalisation.
- Hands-on use of 6R decision frameworks.
- Excellent modelling, documentation, and stakeholder engagement.
- Experience with enterprise apps, SaaS, data architecture, and multi-tenant design.
- Background: 7+ years in IT engineering, 5+ years as a Solution Architect.
- Willingness to work onsite 1-2 days per week.
- £575-£600 per day, Inside IR35. 6 months rolling. Reading.
Retail IT Solutions Architect in Reading employer: Smart Sourcer
Contact Detail:
Smart Sourcer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail IT Solutions Architect in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail and IT sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers or colleagues. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio that highlights your previous projects, especially those involving application modernisation and rationalisation. This will give you an edge when discussing your experience during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Brush up on the 6R frameworks and be ready to discuss how you've applied them in past roles. We want to see your thought process and how you tackle complex architectural decisions.
✨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 take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail IT Solutions Architect in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Retail IT Solutions Architect. Highlight your experience with application modernisation and the 6R frameworks, as these are key to what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous roles; explain how your past experiences have prepared you for this position. Use specific examples that demonstrate your skills in solution architecture and stakeholder engagement.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is crucial. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We want to see your thought process and how you approach complex problems.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Smart Sourcer
✨Know Your 6Rs Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the 6R frameworks: Rehost, Replatform, Refactor, Retain, and Retire. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this will show your practical experience and understanding of application modernisation.
✨Showcase Your Architectural Skills
Prepare to talk about your experience with end-to-end solution architecture. Bring examples of previous portfolios you've worked on, focusing on how you’ve led architecture decisions and ensured governance across delivery teams.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Highlight your stakeholder engagement skills. Think of specific instances where you’ve successfully communicated complex architectural concepts to non-technical stakeholders, as this is crucial for a Solution Architect role.
✨Demonstrate Hands-On Experience
Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with enterprise applications, SaaS, and data architecture. Prepare to explain how you’ve tackled challenges in multi-tenant design and what solutions you implemented to overcome them.