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- Tasks: Lead transformative tech initiatives for major retail brands, shaping digital strategies and architectures.
- Company: Join a global leader in digital transformation, driving innovation across cloud, AI, and cybersecurity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model with flexibility, plus opportunities for travel and professional growth.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of retail transformation, influencing major brands and shaping the future of commerce.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in enterprise architecture, with expertise in retail and digital commerce environments required.
- Other info: Ideal for strategic thinkers who thrive in collaborative, innovative environments.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Job description
Lead Solutions Architect – Major Retail Transformation
Location & Flexibility:
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Hybrid role with an expectation of 3 days per week onsite in the Midlands.
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Occasional UK travel may be required based on client engagements.
About:
We’re hiring on behalf of a global digital transformation powerhouse renowned for driving innovation through cutting-edge solutions in cloud, AI, engineering, and cybersecurity. With a strong footprint across industries, they help clients unlock measurable value by architecting scalable, future-ready technology landscapes.
This is an opportunity for an influential technology leader to guide large-scale transformation programmes across the retail sector. You’ll serve as the principal architect and strategic partner to executive teams, crafting future-facing digital strategies that enable agility, intelligence, and growth in an AI-accelerated world.
The Role:
This role is perfect for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategic advisory and hands-on transformation leadership. You’ll lead enterprise-scale change initiatives across commerce, supply chain, marketing, and customer experience for some of the largest and most ambitious retail brands.
What You’ll Be Doing:
Strategic Technology Leadership
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Define and shape long-term digital transformation roadmaps aligned with clients’ commercial objectives and operational goals.
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Advise senior executives on leveraging emerging technologies to transform customer engagement, operational agility, and revenue growth.
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Lead current-state evaluations and design forward-looking enterprise architectures powered by composable commerce, cloud- platforms, and AI.
Transformation Programme Execution
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Architect and drive complex technology initiatives, including migrations to modern cloud infrastructures, microservices-based systems, and API-led integrations.
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Oversee full-scale transformation programmes — not just from a technical standpoint, but across people, processes, and performance.
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Promote agile delivery and a product-led mindset across engineering and technology teams.
AI & Data Enablement
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Identify innovative ways to integrate AI, machine learning, and automation into the retail technology stack — from personalisation engines to pricing algorithms and customer insights.
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Support the development of intelligent commerce platforms, smart recommendations, and predictive systems.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
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Build trusted partnerships with stakeholders across IT, product, and business functions.
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Collaborate with diverse delivery teams — from architects and engineers to product owners and consultants — to bring complex visions to life.
Thought Leadership & Innovation
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Represent the organisation at industry forums and executive briefings, positioning yourself as a leading voice in digital retail transformation.
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Contribute to business growth by shaping proposals, leading discovery workshops, and driving innovation-led conversations.
What You’ll Bring:
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Extensive experience
(15+ years) in enterprise architecture, with a focus on retail, consumer, or digital commerce environments.
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A proven background
in leading enterprise-scale transformations for major retailers — including omnichannel, eCommerce, and traditional.
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Deep technical knowledge
of retail platforms such as order management, eCommerce (Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Adobe Commerce, Fluent, Shopify Plus), CRM, POS, ERP (preferably Dynamics), and loyalty systems.
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Cloud and integration expertise , including experience with AWS, Azure or GCP, plus API design, microservices, DevOps tooling, and modern data ecosystems.
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Strong awareness
of retail-specific AI and GenAI opportunities — from operational optimisation to customer-facing enhancements.
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Proficiency in agile frameworks , modern product management principles, and large-scale architectural design.
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Excellent communication and influence skills , with the ability to advise and challenge at CxO level.
Bonus If You Have:
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Experience partnering with or working within leading UK/EU retail brands.
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A background in technology consulting or advisory roles with SIs or digital agencies.
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A balance of strategic foresight and hands-on delivery acumen, knowing when to inspire and when to execute.
If you’re excited about reshaping the future of retail through strategic tech leadership, we’d love to hear from you!
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Lead Solutions Architect employer: Vallum Associates
Contact Detail:
Vallum Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Solutions Architect
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the retail and technology sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or meetups to connect with potential colleagues and decision-makers who can provide insights into the company culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 2
Stay updated on the latest trends in digital transformation, particularly in retail. Familiarise yourself with emerging technologies like AI and cloud solutions that are shaping the industry, as this knowledge will be crucial during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in leading large-scale transformations. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully implemented technology solutions that align with business objectives in a retail context.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your thought leadership by engaging in discussions on platforms like LinkedIn. Share articles or insights related to digital retail transformation, showcasing your expertise and passion for the field to attract attention from recruiters.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Solutions Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive experience in enterprise architecture, particularly within retail and digital commerce environments. Emphasise your leadership in enterprise-scale transformations and your technical knowledge of relevant platforms.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for digital transformation in the retail sector. Discuss specific examples of how you've successfully led technology initiatives and collaborated with cross-functional teams to drive innovation.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Clearly outline your expertise in cloud technologies, integration, and AI applications within retail. Mention your proficiency in agile frameworks and your ability to communicate effectively with CxO level executives.
Showcase Thought Leadership: If you have experience representing organisations at industry forums or leading workshops, be sure to include this. It demonstrates your capability as a thought leader in digital retail transformation, which is crucial for this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vallum Associates
✨Showcase Your Strategic Vision
As a Lead Solutions Architect, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to define and shape long-term digital transformation roadmaps. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've aligned technology initiatives with commercial objectives in previous roles.
✨Highlight Your Technical Expertise
Make sure to emphasise your deep technical knowledge of retail platforms and cloud technologies. Be ready to discuss your experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or GCP, and how you've implemented these in past projects.
✨Demonstrate Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires building trusted partnerships across various teams. Prepare to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated with IT, product, and business functions to drive complex technology initiatives.
✨Exhibit Thought Leadership
You'll be expected to represent the organisation at industry forums. Think about how you can position yourself as a thought leader in digital retail transformation, and be ready to discuss any relevant experiences or insights you've gained in this area.
