At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape technology strategies for HR, Finance, and Supply Chain at Virgin Media O₂.
- Company: Join Virgin Media O₂, a leader in connectivity and employee satisfaction.
- Benefits: Enjoy Bupa healthcare, generous holiday, and exclusive discounts on services.
- Other info: Flexible-first culture with a focus on diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by influencing change and driving innovation.
- Qualifications: Extensive enterprise architecture experience and strong stakeholder influence skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
As a Principal Enterprise Architect, you’ll play a critical role in shaping how Virgin Media O₂ uses technology to deliver meaningful business outcomes across HR, Finance and Supply Chain. Working at the intersection of strategy, architecture and delivery, you’ll help define the future-state enterprise architecture and guide investment decisions that enable simplification, resilience and long-term value. You’ll act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, bringing clarity to complex landscapes and influencing change at scale.
In this role, you’ll lead the development of capability roadmaps and target architectures across multiple sub-domains, many with shared or fragmented ownership. You’ll balance innovation with governance, ensuring solutions align to enterprise standards while remaining pragmatic and outcome-focused. By collaborating closely with business leaders, delivery teams and external partners, you’ll help create cohesive, integrated solutions that support VMO2’s strategic ambitions and evolving operating model.
We’re a flexible‑first organisation, because we know people do their best work when they have choice and clarity. To support meaningful collaboration, we ask everyone to spend at least eight days a month connecting with each other in person. That doesn’t just mean time in the office – it could be team meetings, offsites, volunteering days, cross‑functional projects, or away days. What matters is making those moments count – so when we come together, it benefits everyone.
We believe a better tomorrow starts with the choices we make today. That means moving the dial on diversity, building equity into everything we do and putting inclusion at the heart of our business. Virgin Media O₂ is an equal opportunities employer and we work hard to remove bias and barriers. We want every person who joins us – and everyone thinking about joining us - to feel seen, heard and supported. When you work with us, you’ll have access to our award‑winning employee network groups. These communities bring people together, champion allyship and create uplifting spaces where you can learn, share and feel part of something bigger. They play a big role in helping people feel connected from day one.
The must haves:
- Extensive experience providing enterprise architecture leadership across large, complex technology environments
- Deep understanding of at least two corporate sub‑domains, such as HR, Finance or Supply Chain, with strong wider business context
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and govern architectural decision‑making
- Experience shaping and maintaining target architectures, principles and multi‑year roadmaps
The other stuff we are looking for:
- Experience working across federated or fragmented technology ownership models
- Exposure to major transformation programmes within corporate systems landscapes
- Experience partnering with consultancies, suppliers and industry analysts
- Track record of driving enterprise architecture maturity and simplification
- Experience supporting RFI and RFP processes
What's in it for you:
We know life isn’t just about work, so our benefits are built to support you in the moments that matter. You’ll get Bupa healthcare, wellbeing support, life cover, a pension and generous holiday –plus your birthday off. And there’s more. Enjoy some extra perks on us, with optional electric vehicle lease and Cycle2Work schemes, dental insurance, neurodiversity assessments, and brilliant discounts on broadband, TV and mobile. You’ll even get access to the Virgin Family platform and the O₂ Priority app, with exclusive rewards, experiences and chances to attend events at The O₂ and beyond.
Next steps:
If this feels like a place where you can belong, we’d love to see what you can do. Once you apply, the next steps might include a call with a recruiter, a video interview, an interview with the hiring manager and a task or assessment. We’ll also ask about any adjustments you might need, and we’ll do our best to make them happen. We review applications and interview throughout the advert window, so it’s worth applying sooner rather than later. If you’re offered the role, the offer will be subject to background checks, including a criminal record check and, for some roles, a financial background check.
Principal Enterprise Architect – HR, Finance and Supply Chain employer: Virgin Media O2
At Virgin Media O₂, we pride ourselves on being a top employer, recognised for our commitment to employee satisfaction and growth. Our flexible-first work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, allowing you to thrive in your role as a Principal Enterprise Architect while enjoying comprehensive benefits like Bupa healthcare, generous holiday, and unique perks such as discounts on services and access to exclusive events. Join us to be part of a diverse and inclusive team that values your contributions and supports your professional journey.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Enterprise Architect – HR, Finance and Supply Chain
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how you can contribute to their goals, especially in HR, Finance, and Supply Chain.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Bring examples of your past work that align with the role. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced change and simplified processes in previous positions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Enterprise Architect – HR, Finance and Supply Chain
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in enterprise architecture, especially in HR, Finance, and Supply Chain. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past roles, focus on the outcomes you achieved. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive architectural decisions. We love seeing how you've made a difference!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key achievements stand out. Remember, less is often more when it comes to written applications!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Virgin Media O2
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of enterprise architecture, especially in HR, Finance, and Supply Chain. Brush up on the latest trends and technologies in these areas, as well as how they can drive business outcomes. This will help you speak confidently about how you can influence change at scale.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to influence senior stakeholders. Think about times when you've successfully navigated complex landscapes or made architectural decisions that aligned with business goals. Being able to articulate these experiences will show that you can be a trusted advisor.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Roadmaps
Familiarise yourself with the concept of capability roadmaps and target architectures. Be prepared to discuss how you would approach developing these for Virgin Media O₂, considering their strategic ambitions. This shows that you’re not just thinking about the present but also about long-term value.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with various teams and external partners, highlight your collaborative experiences. Share specific instances where you’ve created integrated solutions through teamwork. This will demonstrate that you understand the importance of cohesion in achieving business objectives.
