At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the creation of enterprise architecture and engage with top-tier clients across EMEA.
- Company: Join a cutting-edge AI platform trusted by major enterprises like T-Mobile and OpenAI.
- Benefits: Enjoy start-up equity, health coverage, unlimited PTO, and catered meals.
- Other info: Hybrid role in London with opportunities for travel and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of procurement technology while working with industry leaders.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in solution or enterprise architecture with deep ERP knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 90000 - 120000 £ per year.
About Zip
Zip is the AI platform for enterprise procurement — built for humans and agents working together. By orchestrating procurement across teams, tools, and suppliers with the help of AI agents, companies can secure the resources they need to innovate faster than ever before. The world’s most influential enterprises trust Zip, including T-Mobile, OpenAI, AMD, Mars, Dollar Tree, and more. Together they’ve saved over $8 billion and processed over $500 billion in spend. Zip’s team includes product leaders from Apple, Airbnb, and Meta, as well as former procurement leaders from United Health, Sanofi, MGM Resorts, Discover, and NASA. Backed by Adams Street, Alkeon, BOND, CRV, DST, Tiger Global, and Y Combinator, Zip has raised $371 million, most recently at a $2.2 billion valuation and has been recognized by Forbes Fintech 50, Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, Inc. Best in Business, and LinkedIn Top Startups.
Your Role
This is a founding role. You will be the first Enterprise Architect on the ground in EMEA, standing up the function end-to-end: the playbooks, the reference architectures, the technical discovery motion, and the deal patterns that every future EA will inherit. You’ll personally engage on our most strategic pursuits across the business - Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 prospects with SAP-dominant landscapes, complex multi-entity structures, and e-invoicing mandates that don’t exist in other regions. You’ll work directly with the Global SE leader and partner with Sales, Solution Engineering, Product, and Customer Success leaders. What you build here will shape how Zip sells and delivers across Europe for years. Please note this is a hybrid role out of our London office.
What you’ll do
- Win the deals that define the region: Act as the senior technical voice on strategic pursuits - leading discovery with customer CTOs, CIOs, and Chief Procurement Officers, and closing the architectural gap between their landscape and Zip.
- Build the EA function from zero to one: Create the foundational assets - customer system landscape templates, reference architectures, integration capability matrices, security & compliance packets, objection response libraries - and set the bar for how EA shows up in deals.
- Own the system integration narrative: Lead the technical story on how Zip integrates with SAP (ECC, S/4HANA, Ariba), Oracle, Workday, Netsuite, Coupa, and adjacent systems. You are responsible for translating the customer landscapes into credible integration plans using our proprietary middleware.
- Navigate EMEA-specific complexity: Guide customers through e-invoicing mandates (Peppol, France Chorus Pro, Italy SDI, Germany’s B2B mandate), GDPR, DORA, and multi-entity/multi-currency rollouts.
- Bridge GTM and Product: Translate customer requirements into clear product inputs. Influence roadmap prioritisation with evidence, not opinion.
- Enable the field: Coach Solution Engineers and Account Executives on technical positioning, objection handling, and executive-level architectural conversations.
Qualifications
- 15+ years in solution architecture, enterprise architecture, pre-sales engineering, or product roles at B2B SaaS, iPaaS, or ERP / system-of-record vendors.
- Deep domain knowledge: Knowledgeable about the full intake-to-pay lifecycle and how data moves between systems.
- Strong command of the ERP ecosystem: You understand APIs, data models, and integration patterns across SAP(Ariba, S/4HANA, ECC), Oracle, Workday, Coupa, Ivalua, Jaggaer, and others.
- Hands‑on fluency with integration architecture and middleware: iPaaS (MuleSoft, Boomi, Workato), REST APIs, event‑driven patterns, ETL.
- Proven success selling into or implementing at Fortune 500 / FTSE 100 customers across multiple EMEA geographies.
- TOGAF/Zachman/IBM Certified along with EA.
- Track record of owning RFPs, security reviews, and PoCs at enterprise scale.
- Comfort operating as the senior technical voice in a room with CIOs, CFOs, and CPOs.
Nice to have
- Experience standing up a function, team, or regional practice from the ground up.
- Working knowledge of EMEA e‑invoicing mandates and regulatory regimes (GDPR, DORA).
- Experience at a category‑defining, high‑growth SaaS company or Big 4 Consulting Experience.
- Multilingual - French, German, or Spanish a plus.
Perks & Benefits
At Zip, we’re committed to providing our employees with everything they need to do their best work.
- Start‑up equity
- Health, vision & dental coverage
- Catered lunches & dinners for in‑office employees
- Commuter benefit
- Team building events & happy hours
- Unlimited PTO
- Apple equipment plus home office stipend
- 5% Employer Pension Contribution
Travel
This role requires approximately 30% travel across EMEA to meet with strategic prospects, customers, and partners, and to join key industry events. We're looking to hire Zippers and that means hiring people who take ownership, communicate openly, have an underdog mindset, and are excited to increase the pace of innovation for every business in the world. We encourage all candidates to apply even if your experience doesn't exactly match up to our job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workspace where everyone (regardless of age, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and more) feels like they belong. We look forward to hearing from you!
Founding Enterprise Architect employer: ZipHQ, Inc.
Zip is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London where innovation thrives. As a founding Enterprise Architect, you'll have the unique opportunity to shape the future of procurement technology while enjoying benefits like unlimited PTO, catered meals, and a strong commitment to employee growth and diversity. Join a team of industry leaders and contribute to meaningful projects that drive significant impact across EMEA.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Founding Enterprise Architect
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Zip and its competitors, understand their products, and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Practice common interview questions and think about how you can showcase your expertise in enterprise architecture.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through real-world examples. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, share specific projects where you’ve made an impact. This will help them see how you can contribute to Zip’s success right from the start.
✨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 being part of the Zip team. So, go ahead and hit that apply button!
We think you need these skills to ace Founding Enterprise Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Founding Enterprise Architect role. Highlight your experience with enterprise architecture and integration, especially in relation to SAP and other systems mentioned in the job description.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. Use metrics where possible to show how you’ve contributed to success in enterprise environments.
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We want to see who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your passion for innovation and how you can contribute to Zip’s mission.
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 at Zip!
How to prepare for a job interview at ZipHQ, Inc.
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you have a solid understanding of the ERP ecosystem, especially SAP and its integration capabilities. Brush up on APIs, data models, and integration patterns, as you'll need to discuss these in detail with senior technical leaders during your interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to share specific examples from your 15+ years in solution architecture or enterprise architecture roles. Highlight your successes with Fortune 500 or FTSE 100 customers, particularly any complex projects you've led that involved navigating EMEA-specific regulations like GDPR or e-invoicing mandates.
✨Be the Technical Voice
During the interview, position yourself as the senior technical voice. Practice articulating how you would lead architectural discussions with CTOs and CIOs, and be ready to explain how you can bridge the gap between customer landscapes and Zip's solutions.
✨Cultural Fit Matters
Zip is looking for Zippers who take ownership and communicate openly. Be prepared to discuss how your mindset aligns with their values, and share examples of how you've fostered innovation and collaboration in previous roles.
