Junior Solution Architect Worcestershire 2022

As one of our Junior Solution Architects you'll learn all aspects of IT solution architecture through academic learning, mentoring, coaching and on job experience, refining skills and specialisms with a view to become a fully-fledged IT Solution Architect.

With guidance and support of the Lead Architect and mentor:

• be responsible for creating architecture visions, high level solution designs and architectural designs for assigned projects or internal architecture tasks
• Look at the end-to-end solution delivery as well as to the broader IT landscape to ensure that where possible the solution options are compliant with the IT Strategy and Architecture Principles for the organisation
• be responsible for assuring that the solution will technically deliver and meet the needs of the project and business goals. To be the design authority on projects ensuring adherence to standards and the Target Architecture
• Add detail to user stories for features and job stories for integrations in scrum-led projects.
• To develop the relevant subject matter expertise or identify and utilise individuals with relevant expertise to assist
• Be involved in high-profile, large-scale complex technology projects and programmes
• Be aligned with feature team or value stream cross-functional scrum teams

Key responsibilities

1. Planning

• Responsible for prioritising and managing own workload, and others as required
• Support the development of the project planning including phasing, milestone planning and task management.

2. Financial Responsibilities

• Supports the budget development process for a solution to maximise the business case

3. Operational Responsibilities

• Understand Halfords as a commercial enterprise, and places consideration for the needs of the customer and our colleagues at the heart of designs
• Provides direction and guidance on projects ensuring adherence to standards and the Target Architecture
• Works with the project stakeholders in understanding and shaping business requirements ahead of the design phase
• Supports the Business Analysts in determining and defining non-functional requirements
• Creates solution options and architecture designs, Indicating pros, cons, risks and a recommended option of the best fit to the business requirements and technology strategy.
• Produce high level solution design, including ‘as is’, ‘to be’ and transition states as well as views for components, interaction flows, interfaces, technology, design decisions, non-functional requirements and compliance.
• Assess and understand technical debt implications of solutions, creating dispensation and remediation plans
• Responsible for orchestrating the low-level designs from vendors and internal technical teams closely collaborating with with system engineers ensuring they align to the high-level design and fulfil functional and non-functional requirements.
• Responsible for the low-level integration design and integration patterns required for assigned projects. Including C4 diagrams, Domain Data Models, Detailed
• Behaviours, Observable States, Integration Events and Story Maps
• Provide advice and guidance on the appropriate approach to the solution throughout the project escalating to the Lead Solution Architect or Enterprise Architects when required
• Owns technical risks and issues escalating to the Lead Solution Architect or Enterprise Architects when required
  Performs the design authority role on projects ensuring that the detailed designs and solutions delivered align to the solution architecture, manages and resolves any design issues as they arise
• Uses commercial awareness to ensure that all investments made best support the requirements of the organisation
• Works with experts to design security policies, define principles, security controls and measures and design to prevent security threats, mitigate security risks and vulnerabilities
• Maintains an up-to-date understanding of the main technology base, and a general understanding of the other technology bases which together form the overall technical direction
• Keeps abreast with developments in the IT industry and related market space to ensure that the architectures are kept in line with industry standard and only deviate for commercial benefit
• Promotes and encourages enterprise and innovation throughout the team, in looking for new answers and delivery of a fresh approach
• Contributes to continual improvements of ways of working, business process and technology innovation
• Creates technical documentation for service transition

4. Stakeholders

• Works with external suppliers to ensure that the appropriate technology direction is set with respect to systems, data and technical infrastructure
• Works and effectively communicates with a wide range of stakeholders in developing a solution that meets the needs of the business
• Sets up and maintains strong relationships with stakeholders by effectively managing expectations and inspiring confidence in delivery

5.Leadership and People Management (or Teamwork)

• Motivates, energises and inspires fellow team members
• Leads by example to promote best practice across IT and the wider organisation
• Work with other architects to co-ordinate the identification and assessment of new and emerging technologies and promote awareness among staff and business management to enhance the solution architecture
• Oversee the quality and appropriateness of the work performed to ensure it delivers measurable business benefits
• Use depth and breadth of industry knowledge to co-ordinate the identification and assessment of new and emerging technologies and promote awareness among staff and business management to enhance the solution architecture
• Continually looks for and recommends improved ways of working, embracing and advocating change
• Promotes collaboration across teams

The following skills would be desirable

• Platforms (Microsoft Azure, Salesforce, SAP, EPOS)
• Database Technologies
• Tooling (Postman, Swagger, VS Code)

Key skills/experience

A good foundational understanding of IT and the role it plays in a commercial enterprise.  Experience of the retail or similar sector with a strong desire to learn, roll up their sleeves and explore and learn.  Some exposure to using, supporting or analysing IT systems.

• Good analytical and negotiation skills
• Base understanding of strategy vs. tactical
• Driving clarity and action against business goals, putting the customer at the heart of everything we do
• Commercial awareness
• Able to articulate and summarise findings clearly and succinctly
• Great stakeholder engagement and cross-functional working skills with internal stakeholders and external partners

Flexible work from home options available but some travel will be required to our support centre in Redditch Worcestershire.