Solutions Architect

We're looking for a Solution Architect to join us here at N Brown, where you'll be responsible for aligning technology strategy with business goals, and for the delivery of high-quality, governed solution designs. You'll play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of the technology strategy and shaping of our future technology footprint. Our ambition is to migrate legacy retail and logistics capabilities away from our mainframe platform to modern, robust and scalable solutions.

Working alongside engineering technical leads and System Integrators, you will be accountable for architecting and governing cost-efficient, scalable solutions within the domain. You'll be the authority and trusted advisor for all solutions in this area, ensuring any proposed changes to the estate are aligned with the wider enterprise technology direction and concepts. You'll be responsible for the application of necessary solution governance and quality assurance, including proactive contribution to both our Technology Design Authority and Architecture Chapter community of practice.

What will you do as a Solution Architect at N Brown?

• Develop and articulate current state physical and logical architectures.
• Evangelise the adoption of future state technology architectures becoming the authority in this space.
• Work with the Product teams to coordinate the assessment of new technologies and how they can be effectively introduced to the enterprise.
• Work closely with stakeholders across functions, becoming a strong partner to the business and influencing outcomes from ideation through to implementation.
• Cultivate relationships with all levels of technical stakeholders to ensure architectural governance is applied in a uniform fashion.
• Influence technology direction and strategy.
• Govern system designs to ensure that appropriate patterns and standards are applied effectively.
• Question the status quo to drive better outcomes across the enterprise.
• Work with the rest of the Architecture community and business stakeholders to build transformation roadmaps.
• Participate in the creation of RFI/RFP documentation and assessment of bid responses from external technology vendors.
• Represent the wider Architecture function.
• Work with IT stakeholders and contribute to the evolution and delivery of our IT strategy.

What skills and experience will you have?

• Proven experience in an architecture or senior developer/engineer role within a Product/Retail environment.
• Excellent communication skills and a proven ability to influence outcomes - strong interpersonal skills are essential.
• An understanding of the end-to-end Retail Product process, with a particular focus on E-Commerce.
• Flexibility and a desire to learn.
• Awareness of IT industry trends and being vendor and technology neutral to enable best-fit solutions to be found.
• The ability to plan and rationalise project goals working from limited information and ending in a holistic design.
• Decisiveness - be capable of presenting proposed solutions with confidence, providing clear guidance for outcomes.

Although not essential, it would be great if you had any of the below experience:

• Experience with AWS, preferably holding or working towards AWS Certified Solution Architect certification.
• Experience performing a Solution Architecture role during large scale transformation programmes.
• Experience with integration and eventing platform technologies.
• Experience of business activity around areas such as financial, commercial, procurement, human resources, security, and logistics operating models.
• A broad understanding of current techniques and tooling including API-first design, Cloud Native, Containerisation and PaaS on AWS, Azure or GCP.
• Experience of working with Product or Agile teams at the same time, effectively governing architectural designs to enable continuous delivery.

What's in it for you?

• Hybrid working.
• 24 days holiday (+ 8 bank holidays) with the option to buy an additional 10 days.
• Annual bonus scheme.
• Enhanced maternity and adoption leave.
• Access to Apricity, a self-funding IVF benefit at a reduced rate.
• Company pension with up to 8% N Brown contribution.
• Mental Health support both internally and externally, including access to our wellbeing champions and counselling services.
• A range of financial wellbeing support.
• Colleague discount across all N Brown brands.
• Onsite café with subsidised rates and local restaurant discounts!
• Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance.
• Paid volunteer time - all our colleagues can take a full day paid to volunteer for a charity of their choice.

N Brown - who we are and why work for us?

At N Brown, we're committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment that values equality for all. Our vision is that by 'championing inclusion, we'll become the most loved and trusted fashion retailer'. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are, therefore, at the heart of our culture.

We're a forward-thinking digital retailer with a financial services proposition to be proud of. We're customer-obsessed, serving them through three core brands: JD Williams, Simply Be, and Jacamo. We're experienced, with over 160 years of trading under our belt. We're inclusive, as we believe in fashion without boundaries; and we're sustainable, striving to make as little impact on the planet as possible.

In May 2024 we were delighted to be named one of The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. We work hard to create a happy and inclusive culture for everyone and we're so proud to have made this list - as voted for by our very own colleagues!

Ways of Working

We offer hybrid working which varies across the business depending on the role you're in. Our Head Office is located in the Northern Quarter in Manchester City Centre. So if you are travelling by train, tram or bus we're perfectly located, plus we're surrounded by cool cafes, trendy bars and the best places to eat!

Our working hours are 36.17 per week and our core working hours are between 10am - 4pm. Given we don't have strict working hours you can find the working pattern that's right for you.

Our promise to you:

We're an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

What happens when you apply to a role at N Brown?

As soon as we receive your application, we'll send you an email to let you know. We always aim to come back to you as soon as possible with an update and we really appreciate you taking the time to apply for a role with us. Good luck!