Solution Architect (Commerce) in London

WPP Enterprise Solutions designs, builds, and operates the growth systems that competitive businesses rely on. In a world where AI is reshaping how companies drive growth, we lead clients in business transformation and marketing modernization, connecting strategy directly to execution. Our 12,000 experts in engineering and platforms, commerce, consulting, content transformation, CRM, and CX work within a unified global operating unit across 40+ markets.

The opportunity: A Solution Architect is required for a high-profile role giving the successful applicant the chance to lead the solution architecture for some of the world’s largest online brands and retailers and be an integral part of our talented and expanding Solution Architecture team. You will be responsible for creating and assuring solution architecture using a wide range of technologies, from SaaS eCommerce platforms through to client-specific cloud solutions. You’ll develop relationships with key client-side stakeholders in charge of IT and digital strategy and architecture, and you’ll work closely with our internal delivery teams to ensure your architecture vision is realised.

What you’ll be doing:

• Working on large-scale digital transformation programmes with global clients, designing solutions for all the opportunity and complexity this brings.
• Own the solution architecture, document it, and communicate that architecture to a wide range of audiences.
• See out and develop relationships with key client stakeholders responsible for digital and architecture strategy.
• Orchestrate and run design workshops, and translate business strategy and requirements into solution architecture.
• Ensure your architecture vision is realised by our teams, across all phases of programme delivery.
• Understand common problems, design patterns and considerations for a distributed eCommerce architecture and apply this knowledge to your solutions.
• Understand the level at which solution architecture applies, and help transition your solutions to application and cloud architects and technical leads.
• Make and justify key architectural decisions considering all relevant constraints.
• Follow the principles and guidance set out by the Solution Architecture team.
• Contribute to the initiatives of our Solution Architecture team, including developing common patterns for new technologies and developing PoCs against industry trends.

What we want from you:

• Core understanding of the capabilities of a wide range of technologies typically found within an eCommerce landscape, including enterprise eCommerce platforms and components.
• Proven experience of solution ownership.
• Experience delivering solution transformations, roadmaps and (or) integration strategies.
• Understand the capabilities of public cloud platforms and be an advocate of cloud-native solutions.
• Proven experience designing quality solutions, often large scale and transactional in nature, for global enterprise clients.
• Be client and delivery focused, able to adapt a solution to meet additional requirements and constraints and apply pragmatism when required.
• Prior experience running design workshops.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Have excellent communication, presentation and documentation skills.

If you know some of this, even better:

• Experience with OMS.
• Experience with PIM.
• Specific Solution Architecture experience with the following technologies: React, Next.js, GraphQL (incl. federated), Salesforce Commerce Cloud, Sanity.io, GCP.

What we can offer you: Alongside the opportunity to work with some of the most exciting brands around the world, we’ll also prioritise your career development and help you grow your skills. We’ll empower you to make a difference, allow you to be yourself, and respect who you are. Permanent only: We offer a great benefits package including a discretionary bonus scheme, training opportunities, competitive pension, medical insurance, life assurance, social events, opportunities to buy and sell holidays, family friendly policies, discounts with hundreds of retailers and much more.

Our personality and behaviours: We believe that we are what we do, not just what we say. Our shared values and behaviours show how to bring the VML Enterprise Solutions culture to life through the actions we all take every day: Connect Meaningfully, Inspire Creatively, Include Purposefully, Approach Positively.

Our brilliant, talented people are what makes VML Enterprise Solutions what we are. That’s why we look for people who go beyond and always push our thinking to be better than yesterday.

About VML Enterprise Solutions: Welcome to VML Enterprise Solutions, a multi-award-winning powerhouse of innovation, creativity and growth through technology in an ever-evolving world. Over 7,000 employees across VML’s global offices support VML Enterprise Solutions by helping to create and deliver digital transformations, Artificial Intelligence applications and technology solutions that introduce new operational efficiencies to organisations around the world.

Our mission is to inspire global audiences to embrace and advance the world of online and offline shopping through seamless digital experiences and tech innovation. To achieve this, we work with many of the most exciting brands, such as The Coca-Cola Company, Ford, DFS, Dr. Martens, Johnson & Johnson, Mars, Nestlé, Sainsbury’s, Selfridges and Unilever.

If you need reasonable adjustments at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. At VML, we are committed to fostering an all-inclusive work environment that is both rewarding and career-forward.

Our Inclusion, Equity & Belonging initiatives, alongside the VML Foundation, reflect our dedication to giving back and making a positive impact in our communities and beyond. Our people are the heartbeat of our organization—creators, doers, innovators, makers, and thinkers—who drive not just marketing, but meaningful experiences that resonate in every action and interaction.

VML is a WPP Agency.