Reports to: 

Director of Technology 

 

Location: 

Piccadilly though travel to all sites required on occasion 

 

 

Role Purpose:  

To provide a strategic oversight, planning, governance and direction for complex technology stack in this evolving dynamic business. With an experienced background in strategic technology design you will have the vision to advise and architect technology that fulfils the needs of this diverse business, maximising existing investments and identifying opportunities to utilise new technology that is appropriate for our business.  

 

The role will establish the architecture function, setting up governance processes and procedures for others to follow, utilising TOGAF methodologies.  Working closely with the Director of Technology to create a Technology strategy that is aligned to the business strategy, drawing on the heritage of the brand, to utilising technology to enrich our customer and staff experiences to elevate the brand onto the next stage of its incredible journey.   

 

Collaborating with the business and transformation teams to ensure our technology is constantly evolving and making the most out of industry developments. The role will be responsible for ensuring designs are architected to a high, secure standard. The candidate will have vast experience of producing high level designs across multiple products, with multi-functional assets and will have experience of writing technical system and solution documentation. This role will be responsible for being able to understand the business desires, the existing technology landscape and blending that with, the vision for the future and the opportunities that technology provides to enrich the needs of the business. 

 

 

 

Responsibilities 

Operational  

Define, create and maintain the technology strategy with the Director of Technology in conjunction with business stakeholders 

Create and implement overarching governance to architecture function, to ensure standards upheld 

Translate requirements from the business into technology designs that are commercially astute  

Provide architecture at the inception stage of each project to ensure that design standards are woven into the fabric of each delivery 

Lead architecture governance, creating, implementing and setting standards across the business  

Assist with problem management. Actively engage in identifying issues and subsequent solutions, whilst working collaboratively across teams and classifying and managing associated risks 

Ensure documentation of all solutions are to the correct standard 

Lead the Design Forum, reviewing and approving all designs and collaborating across team 

Have holistic view of the estate to understand ways to consolidate and strengthen technology  

 

People & Collaboration  

Establish the architecture function – provide governance and confidence in the strategy 

Acting as a translator between the non-technical business stakeholders and the technical engineers and vice versa 

Support third parties working for or in conjunction with our overall requirements, ensuring that they meet our standards and ways of working 

Keep up to date with trends and new ways of working and emerging trends within the industry and within the technology stack, actively learning and ensuring that new applications and platforms are explored and understood 

Collaborate with each area of the technology teams to share the technology strategy so it is realised 

Act as an ambassador for the Technology team within the wider business to explain the role of architecture 

Identify potential risks and challenges in the creation and implementation of the strategy and design process and devise mitigation actions to ensure successful adoption 

Imbed security principles into every aspect of the architecture created 

Understand customer journeys and be excited about all parts of the business from logistics to product management, to marketing through to retail and data. It is imperative you are keen to know about all parts of this business 

 

 

Previous Experience (including qualifications where relevant) 

Proven experience of working as an Architect for a minimum of 10 years, preferably within the Retail sector and exhibit passion for technology and data. 

Demonstrable experience of the systems listed below that are identified as Essential to the role 

Leadership experience in setting up an architecture function and bedding into an established business 

Relevant certification in D365 architecture and development and strong knowledge of data implementations 

 

Role Specific Criteria:

Competencies 

Experience in Retail & Hospitality  Leadership experience 

Technologies/ Qualifications 

Microsoft Azure   Microsoft D365  E-commerce / Mobile App experience  Databricks  Integrations platforms  Adobe suite  Adyen  PIM  DAM  Incident and problem management  ITIL  TOGAF  GenAI technologies  Cisco Meraki  Data privacy & data regulations including GDPR & PCIDSS 

Behaviours 

Ability to manage conflicting priorities and customer expectations  Team player  Proactively takes responsibility, owns any issues arising and follows through to resolution  Strong communication skills – written and verbal  Outcomes focused and driving results  Prioritising skills with the ability to manage workload  Works at pace, but with accuracy and attention to detail  Financial astute  Experience of Agile working behaviour 

 

We are committed to developing your career and nurturing your talent, regardless of age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation. We respect and embrace each other's differences, to create a truly inclusive environment.

In the last year alone, our people have been recognised and celebrated, winning awards for their outstanding contributions to Retail, Technology, Global Hospitality & Tourism, Visual Merchandising & Display, Customer Service and Local Community Awards.

 
 

In return, we offer:

A competitive salary A generous store and restaurant discount of up to 40% 25 days holidays (excluded bank holidays) and an extra day off for your birthday A fantastic subsidised staff restaurant which uses Fortnum’s ingredients A range of opportunities to develop and grow personally and professionally Excellent pension scheme