Digital Solution Architect

Inside IR35

Remote working – Ad hoc travel

Main Purpose of Job

Performs the leadership, facilitation, analysis and design tasks required to develop the solution architecture for SSE value streams and products. Focuses across more than one product at a time, while providing solution architecture on individual solutions. Create high level solution models and solution architectures, including solution patterns/blueprints, to guide solution decisions for the enterprise for assigned value streams and products aligned to business requirements. Adopt agile practices where Architecture visions can be produced, further defined into Architecture Intent and the development of Architecture Runways if required. Governing them accordingly as the design emerges and ensuring adherence to the stated guardrails, guideline, standards and policies. Collaborating closely with the Product Owner and Delivery lead to build and deliver product roadmaps with the focus on business outcomes.

Key Accountabilities

Contributes to the Target Architecture, through the development of Architecture Deliverables (Vision, Intent, Runway, Decisions) and definition and maintenance of standards (the Technical Reference Model) by supporting Enterprise Architecture

Maintain the Business Unit Architecture Baseline following releases of new solutions and products.
Supports the development of the product planning including ensuring the phases are appropriate. For example, development of an architecture runway, key dependencies etc.
Supports the budget development process for a solution to maximise the business case
Delivers high-level solution models and solution architectures in line with business requirements, organisation and industry standards.
Ensures compliance of all high-level solution models and solution architectures to the Target Architecture, roadmaps, guardrails, IT principles and standards
Ensures that their solution architectures maintain integrity within the context of the relevant product architecture.
Assesses the impact of changes to Product Backlogs against the existing architecture vision, intent and runway, and support the prioritisation of these changes.
Provides direction and guidance across the product lifecycle ensuring adherence to Architecture and Design standards and the Target Architecture, including management and repayment of technical debt.
Works with relevant stakeholders to understand the business requirements so that recommended solution options provide the best fit against requirements and budget.
Supports the Product Analyst to determine high-level functional requirements, maximising the use of standard or out-of-the-box features and capability.
Creates solution options and solution architectures, ensuring any deviations to the standards are handled through the Architecture Governance process.
Ensures solutions are secure by design and are built within defined security guidelines and guardrails.
Be accountable for the viability of proposed solutions and provides direction, advice and guidance on the appropriate approach to the solution throughout the product lifecycle.
Performs the technical design authority role throughout delivery ensuring that the detailed designs and solutions delivered align to the solution architecture, managing and resolving any design issues as they arise.
Uses commercial awareness to ensure that all investments made maximise the value of our IT investment.
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 of developments from strategic partners to ensure that the architectures are kept in line with standards and only deviate for commercial benefit.
Promotes and encourages enterprise and innovation throughout the delivery team, to look for new answers and delivery of a fresh approach.
Identifies the commercial impacts of decisions involving architecture and engage the appropriate people in coming to a sound commercial outcome.
Works with external suppliers to ensure that the appropriate technology direction is set with respect to systems, data and technical infrastructure.
Works and effectively communicate 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.
Develops, coaches, motivates, energises and inspires fellow team members
Business Knowledge

Ability to understand the long-term ("big picture") business strategy and goals, along with short-term perspectives of situations

Exposure to multiple, diverse technologies and processing environments.
Ability to estimate the financial impact of Enterprise Solution Architecture and individual solution architecture alternatives.
Ability to define multiple solution options to business problems.
Ability to quickly comprehend the functions and capabilities of new technologies.
Knowledge of all aspects of enterprise architecture.
Basic knowledge of business process re-engineering principles and processes.

Essential Functional / Technical Skills

Knowledge in a minimum of two of the following technical disciplines:

Cloud Services covering Infrastructure, Platform and Software (…..as a service)
Application development, DevOps, CI/CD
Network design
Middleware
Servers and storage
Database management
OperationsKnowledge of technology and platforms used, this includes specifics such as:

Azure Cloud Services in general
Azure Synapse
Web Content Management platforms, Headless CMS
Oracle Eloqua
Oracle Databases
Oracle Data Integrator
A demonstrable understanding of SSE's business areas, the Energy industry and IT, gained from past experience as well as through social/professional networking.

A strong understanding of the business needs that drive the team's activities.
An understanding of the team's area(s) of responsibility
Knowledge of key aspects of the business
Understanding of the enterprise's political climate and how to respond to the political challenges.
Ability to translate business needs into solution architecture requirements.
Strong understanding of network and data centre architecture, as well as application development methodologies
Ability to quickly comprehend the functions and capabilities of new technologies.
Understanding of APIs, Web services, Microservices, Serverless compute and other Modern cloud native application architectures
High level knowledge of development processes, including but not limited to DevOps, Scrum, Kanban and lean development.

ersg are an equal opportunities employer; we are committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all job applicants. We do not discriminate against applicants on the basis of age, sex, race, disability, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or religious background; all decisions are based on merit