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- Tasks: Lead the architecture decisions for modernising a major portfolio of retail applications.
- Company: Global retailer focused on innovative application solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible onsite work, and opportunity for long-term contracts.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail technology and drive impactful change in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in IT, 5+ years as a Solution Architect with retail 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 Solution Architect in Reading employer: Smart Sourcer
Contact Detail:
Smart Sourcer Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Retail Solution 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 and showcase your expertise in application modernisation.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your 6R frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, especially in complex application estates. We want to see your hands-on experience shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of a strong online presence. Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your Solution Architect skills and experiences. Engage with relevant content to get noticed by recruiters looking for someone just like you.
✨Tip Number 4
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 that extra step to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Retail Solution Architect in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of a Retail Solution Architect. Highlight your experience with application modernisation and the 6R frameworks, as these are key to what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Experience: In your cover letter, don’t just list your skills; tell us about specific projects where you’ve led architecture decisions or guided teams through modernisation journeys. We love real-world examples!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Use straightforward language to explain complex concepts, as clarity is crucial in architecture roles. We want to see that you can communicate effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
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 navigated complex application estates and made architectural decisions that led to successful outcomes.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Highlight your stakeholder engagement skills. Think of specific instances where you’ve successfully communicated complex ideas to non-technical stakeholders or led design reviews. This will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between technical and business needs.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to SaaS, COTS, and data architecture. Brush up on your knowledge of multi-tenant design and architectural governance. Being able to answer these confidently will show that you have the depth of knowledge required for the role.