The purpose of this role is to create solution architectures for systems and platforms ensuring all relevant options are explored for time, cost and compliance to the company’s standards, policies and practices whilst meeting the business’ requirements. The role will oversee the work of other architects and delivery of the solution for clients both internal and external, shepherding it through the relevant governance.

Job Title:

Lead Solutions Architect

Job Description:

Introduction

Dentsu is the network designed for what’s next, helping clients predict and plan for disruptive future opportunities and create new paths to growth in the sustainable economy. Taking a people-centered approach to business transformation, we use insights to connect brand, content, commerce, and experience, underpinned by modern creativity.

Dentsu International is a global leader that specialises in Sales, Marketing, Customer Experience, and Retention to enable clients to keep “winning” whilst ensuring customer growth and experience is at the very forefront for their businesses.

We’re currently hiring aSolution Architectas part of our Business Platforms team, the role isopen to applicants across Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Purpose of the Role

The Solution Architect will own solution delivery in EMEA from initial consultancy with the business, exploring options with the Business, providing advice and production of relevant solution architecture artefacts. 

Working with finance and project management to advice on best delivery methods, accurate estimation (cost, time and resource), solution roadmap and implementation of each transition stage of the transformation. 

The Architect will be part of a multiskilled team responsible for surveying and designing the transformation programme needed for each market, to enable the transformation programmes to be properly scoped, costed, and efficiently delivered. Will need to roll sleeves up by leading on business, data, integration, application and technology architecture to ensure the project deliveries on time. 

The Solution Architect will be expected to fully explore the current state architecture in a given market, cluster or wider EMEA region and “break trail” for the delivery programme to transform the market by understanding the functionality across existing systems, impact of replacement of elements with strategic platforms, local integrations, customisations and developments needed, and potential data impacts. 

Key Responsibilities 

Analysis and documentation of current system and data landscape in each market using relevant TOGAF aligned methods and artefacts, collecting existing material, interviewing key stakeholders, and researching system capabilities. Design and documentation of agreed transition states, and tactical developments / system impacts at each stage. Gaining agreement from the business on in scope change, often managing conflicting demand and needs whilst being mindful of dentsu guardrails and Target architecture. Creating solutions that are accepted by dentsu Security Architecture – though not afraid to challenge out dated ideas. Alignment and utilisation of the core enterprise technology stacks and integration capabilities throughout the transition states. Provision of technical and functional support for key architecture decisions and ensure the necessary liaison and approval from the relevant governance and decision bodies. Running rapid Proof of Concepts when needed. Providing innovation and bleeding edge technical solutions to our customers which deliver exceptional results. Own, develop and maintain for each impacted market: 

1. Current systems architecture (enterprise, application, integration, data, and infrastructure) 

2. Transition planning and other architecture models to be able to support the ongoing functional agenda, including identifying and enabling the function to seize technology opportunities 

3. Contribution to the global target systems architecture (enterprise, application, integration, data, and infrastructure) where appropriate 

Person Specification 

We are looking for a broad blend of skills and experience so don't be put off if you don't have all of the attributes listed below. 

Experience:  

B.A./B.S. degree (or comparable knowledge) in computer science (or a related field) 10+ years experience comprising a blend of systems analysis, solution architecture, integration and data architecture. 5+ years Experience working in a consultancy style organisation. Working in a complex matrixed, international and cross-cultural organisation. Broad technical expertise combined with strong leadership and communication capabilities to drive innovation and change.. Experience running projects, business architecture, infrastructure and solution architecture. 

Other key Competencies: 

Proven system design and analytics skills, including data modelling, integration design, and functional analysis. Experience of estimating development effort, and working with established teams to validate and create costings to design, deliver and operate solutions. Experience of investigating, assembling, validating and documentation of architectures in a structured manner. Experience working with major SaaS platforms, PowerApps, integration and data analytics platforms, Experience designing and planning migration of existing solutions onto SaaS and cloud platforms. Proven architectural and technical (application, integration, data management and infrastructure) competence and knowledge, in a cross-cultural, multinational environment. Experience of using TOGAF, ITIL, Archimate. Knowledge of Azure / AWS components and IAM model. 

What we offer

This is a permanent role and can be based at any of our locations acrossEurope, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). As well as a competitive salary, you’ll enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs which includes: 

Competitive Salary  Company-provided Medical Healthcare  Generous Pension provisions  Health and Wellness benefits  Volunteering days Life Assurance  Working in diverse teams where you can make a real impact.  Exciting and rewarding environment. Varied work across industries 

Inclusion and Diversity

Our diverse and inclusive culture enables our employees to bring their whole selves to work and be proud of doing so. For us, this is the foundation for great innovation which, in turn, generates better outcomes for our people, partners and communities. This is why we encourage applications from people with disabilities, and of all ages, nationalities, backgrounds and cultures.

We are happy to discuss flexible and agile approaches to working for all our roles – we can’t promise we will be able to offer you everything you want or need but we do promise to discuss it with you openly and honestly. If you have any reasonable adjustment needs arising from a disability or medical condition to fully participate in the recruitment process, please discuss this with our recruitment teams.