At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the evolution of our Martech architecture and design innovative customer engagement solutions.
- Company: Join Vanguard, a revolutionary investment company focused on client interests.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Hybrid role with a focus on collaboration and innovation in a diverse team.
- Why this job: Shape the future of digital experiences with cutting-edge AI and cloud technologies.
- Qualifications: 3+ years as a Solutions Architect with strong Martech and cloud platform knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Lead Solutions Architect to drive the architecture and evolution of our Marketing Technology (Martech) ecosystem. This is a high-impact role where you’ll shape the future of customer engagement, working at the intersection of digital experience, AI, and scalable cloud platforms. You’ll partner closely with Product, Engineering, and Business teams to define innovative, scalable, and future-ready solutions that support our strategic growth.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Own and evolve Martech architecture and product roadmaps, aligning with business strategy and enterprise architecture
- Lead the design of scalable, integrated solutions across customer experience platforms, conversational AI, and automation
- Collaborate with product teams, engineers, and business stakeholders to deliver seamless, customer-centric solutions
- Drive alignment with enterprise architecture standards, governance, and technology roadmaps
- Act as the technical authority, guiding teams through complex design decisions, risk mitigation, and solution optimisation
- Evaluate new technologies, vendors, and platforms, contributing to build vs. buy decisions and long-term strategy
- Support and enhance architecture governance and best practices across the organisation
- Stay ahead of emerging Martech, AI, and cloud trends, bringing innovation into the business
- Mentor engineers and architects, helping to build a high-performing, forward-thinking technology team
What it takes
- Significant experience in technology roles, including 3+ years as a Solutions/Technical Architect
- Proven experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale Martech or customer experience platforms
- Strong knowledge of:
- Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure or GCP)
- Microservices, APIs, and modern integration patterns
- DevOps and Agile/SAFe delivery models
- Experience with Adobe ecosystem (e.g. Adobe Experience Cloud)
- Hands-on expertise in conversational AI (e.g. Kore.ai) and intelligent automation
- Strong understanding of architecture governance, risk management, and compliance
- Experience in vendor selection, build vs. buy analysis, and ROI/TCO evaluation
- Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence across both technical and business audiences
Why Join Us?
- Work on cutting-edge Martech and AI-driven customer platforms
- Play a key role in shaping enterprise-wide digital and customer experience strategy
- Collaborate with high-performing product and engineering teams
- Opportunity to lead architectural direction and influence senior stakeholders
- Competitive salary + benefits + flexible working
Special Factors
- This position is hybrid and would require you to be in our office 3 days per week.
Inclusion Statement
Vanguard’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion is firmly rooted in our culture. Every decision we make to best serve our clients, crew (internally employees are referred to as crew), and communities is guided by one simple statement: “Do the right thing.” We believe that a critical aspect of doing the right thing requires building diverse, inclusive, and highly effective teams of individuals who are as unique as the clients they serve. We empower our crew to contribute their distinct strengths to achieving Vanguard’s core purpose through our values. When all crew members feel valued and included, our ability to collaborate and innovate is amplified, and we are united in delivering on Vanguard's core purpose: to take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success.
How We Work
Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.
Lead Solutions Architect – Martech & Customer Platforms in Manchester employer: The Vanguard Group
Vanguard is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration, particularly in the realm of Marketing Technology and customer engagement. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to contribute their unique strengths within a supportive hybrid work environment, fostering both personal and professional growth. The opportunity to lead architectural direction while working alongside high-performing teams makes Vanguard a rewarding place for those seeking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Solutions Architect – Martech & Customer Platforms in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your projects and achievements. This is a great way to demonstrate your expertise in Martech and customer platforms, making you stand out from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their Martech ecosystem and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Tailor your responses to show how you can drive their architecture and evolution.
✨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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Solutions Architect – Martech & Customer Platforms in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Lead Solutions Architect role. Highlight your experience with Martech, cloud platforms, and any relevant projects that showcase your skills in designing scalable solutions.
Showcase Your Technical Expertise:Don’t hold back on detailing your technical skills! Mention your hands-on experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or GCP, and how you've applied them in previous roles. This will help us see how you can contribute to our architecture and governance.
Emphasise Collaboration Skills:Since this role involves working closely with various teams, make sure to highlight your stakeholder engagement skills. Share examples of how you've influenced decisions across technical and business audiences in past projects.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to shape our Martech ecosystem!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Vanguard Group
✨Know Your Martech Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and technologies in the Martech space. Brush up on your knowledge of cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP, and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
This role requires working closely with various teams. Prepare examples that highlight your experience in collaborating with product teams, engineers, and business stakeholders. Be ready to discuss how you’ve driven alignment and delivered customer-centric solutions.
✨Demonstrate Your Technical Authority
As a Lead Solutions Architect, you’ll need to guide teams through complex design decisions. Think of scenarios where you’ve acted as a technical authority, and be prepared to explain your approach to risk mitigation and solution optimisation.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making process. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you evaluated new technologies or made build vs. buy decisions, and how those choices impacted the organisation.
