Lead Enterprise Architect - Retail

Who we are: Born digital, UST transforms lives through the power of technology. We walk alongside our clients and partners, embedding innovation and agility into everything they do. We help them create transformative experiences and human-centered solutions for a better world. UST is a mission-driven group of over 30,000+ practical problem solvers and creative thinkers in over 30+ countries. Our entrepreneurial teams are empowered to innovate, act nimbly, and create a lasting and sustainable impact for our clients, their customers, and the communities in which we live. With us, you'll create a boundless impact that transforms your career—and the lives of people across the world. Visit us at UST.com.

You Are: We are seeking a dynamic Lead Enterprise Architect to spearhead the end-to-end technology transformation for our retail customers. This role requires a deep understanding of the retail domain, technology modernisation, and the evolving landscape of digital commerce and AI-driven innovation. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership, strategic thinking, and hands-on expertise in shaping and delivering complex transformation programmes that enable retailers to unlock growth, efficiency, and competitive advantage.

Location: We are only considering candidates based in close proximity to the Midlands/South Yorkshire area.

The Opportunity:

• Technology Strategy & Advisory
  • Define and own the technology vision and transformation roadmap for key retail clients, aligned with their business goals.
  • Act as a strategic advisor to C-level executives, shaping digital and technology transformation agendas across commerce, supply chain, merchandising, marketing, and customer experience.
  • Lead assessments of current state architectures and define future-state architectures leveraging modern digital, cloud-native, composable commerce, and AI technologies.
• Transformation Leadership
  • Drive the execution of technology modernisation initiatives including cloud migration, headless commerce adoption, API-first architectures, and microservices transformation.
  • Lead and oversee large-scale digital transformation programmes, ensuring successful delivery across technology, process, and organisational dimensions.
  • Champion agile and product-centric operating models for technology teams within client environments.
• AI & Data-Driven Innovation
  • Identify and lead opportunities to embed AI and machine learning into the retail value chain (e.g., demand forecasting, personalisation, pricing optimisation, customer insights).
  • Shape AI-enabled commerce platforms, search and recommendation systems, and automation-led operational efficiencies.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Build trusted relationships with client stakeholders across business and IT functions.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including solution architects, delivery leads, product managers, and engineering teams.
• Thought Leadership & Growth
  • Represent the company in industry forums, events, and executive briefings as a thought leader in retail technology.
  • Contribute to business development through proposal support, client workshops, and innovation-led pursuits.

What you need:

• 15+ years of experience in Enterprise Architect roles, with a strong focus on retail and consumer domains.
• Proven track record of hands-on involvement as well as leading digital and AI-led transformations for large retailers (online, omnichannel, or traditional).
• Expertise in retail technology stacks including eCommerce platforms (e.g., Fluent commerce, Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Adobe Commerce, Shopify Plus), order management, POS, ERP, CRM, and loyalty systems.
• Demonstrated experience with cloud-native architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP), microservices, APIs, DevOps, and data platforms.
• Familiarity with AI/ML use cases in retail and knowledge of GenAI advancements relevant to customer experience and operations.
• Strong understanding of agile delivery models, product management practices, and enterprise architecture.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage and influence C-suite executives.

Preferred Background:

• Experience working in or with major retailers in Europe and UK.
• Prior consulting or advisory experience within a systems integrator, technology vendor, or strategy firm.
• Ability to balance strategic vision with delivery pragmatism and commercial acumen.

Education:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related fields.
• Certifications in cloud platforms (e.g., AWS/Azure Solutions Architect), TOGAF, or SAFe are a plus.

What we believe: We're proud to embrace the same values that have shaped UST since the beginning. Since day one, we've been building enduring relationships and a culture of integrity. And today, it's those same values that are inspiring us to encourage innovation from everyone, to champion diversity and inclusion, and to place people at the center of everything we do.

• Humility: We will listen, learn, be empathetic and help selflessly in our interactions with everyone.
• Humanity: Through business, we will better the lives of those less fortunate than ourselves.
• Integrity: We honor our commitments and act with responsibility in all our relationships.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: UST is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. UST reserves the right to periodically redefine your roles and responsibilities based on the requirements of the organization and/or your performance.