Head of Solution Architecture & Design

The Head of Solution Architecture & Design acts as the design authority for DS Smith's IT landscape - ensuring all solutions, infrastructure and security architectures follow one coherent blueprint.

This role balances innovation with standardisation, ensuring every technology decision aligns with DS Smith's Target Operating Model and long-term transformation goals. The function enables DS Smith to scale securely and efficiently by connecting enterprise architecture principles to practical delivery., Design Authority Leadership

• Serve as the solution design authority for DS Smith's Infrastructure & Security projects and transformation programmes.
• Define and maintain architectural standards, guardrails, and reference models that ensure consistency across domains.
• Represent IS&S at the Technical Design Authority Board, providing governance and oversight across all infrastructure solution designs.

Architecture Integration & Alignment

• Lead a federated team of domain architects spanning Infrastructure, Workplace, and Security disciplines.
• Ensure architectural alignment between IT, OT, and business systems to deliver an integrated enterprise design.
• Drive coherence across network, hosting, workplace, and security architectures to enable standardisation and reuse.

Roadmaps & Platform Evolution

• Develop and maintain multi-year technology roadmaps covering infrastructure, security, and digital workplace platforms.
• Partner with product and service owners to align investment priorities with architectural direction.
• Influence strategic vendor roadmaps to ensure compatibility and long-term sustainability of DS Smith's platforms.

Solution Design & Assurance

• Oversee the creation and approval of High-Level Designs (HLDs) for projects and initiatives.
• Ensure all designs comply with architecture principles, information security requirements, and operational support models.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure solutions are built "right first time" and remain maintainable in operation.

Governance & Standards

• Own the solution architecture governance framework and ensure adherence through stage-gate and design review processes.
• Partner with Enterprise Architecture and PMO to ensure solution design supports both business capability needs and cost efficiency.
• Define design patterns and technical standards for re-use across delivery teams.

Collaboration & Cross-functional Partnership

• Partner closely with the Heads of Security Engineering, Infrastructure & Core Platforms, and Digital Workplace to ensure design translates seamlessly into build.
• Support the Director of Infrastructure, Security & Services with technical input into strategic sourcing, TOM design, and transformation planning.
• Act as the escalation point for architectural issues and risks during project delivery.

Leadership & People Development

• Build and lead a small, high-performing team of solution and domain architects
• Foster an open, collaborative culture that values pragmatism, accountability, and innovation.
• Develop internal talent through mentoring, certification support, and exposure to transformation programmes

• Proven experience leading multi-domain architecture teams in a complex enterprise or shared services environment.
• Strong understanding of infrastructure, cloud, and security architectures and how they interconnect.
• Track record in defining and governing architecture frameworks across multiple delivery partners.
• Experience leading design assurance for large transformation or integration programmes.
• Deep experience in balancing innovation, cost, and standardisation through pragmatic architecture.
• Strong grasp of architectural frameworks (TOGAF, SABSA, ITIL alignment).
• Excellent understanding of hybrid infrastructure, workplace technologies, and cloud architecture principles.
• Strategic communicator - able to translate technical architecture into clear business language.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement and influencing across executive and technical levels.
• Comfortable operating in federated and multi-sourced delivery environments.