Solution Architect

A leading utilities company working within Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), seek an experienced forward thinking and proactive Senior Solution Architect, ideally with an understanding of Source to Pay, for a large roll out.

Core skills:

• Ideally within Source to Pay initiatives or Coupa (or similar) implementations.
• Need to be senior enough to lead on governance (running DA, documenting and collaborating on decisions).
• Development of target architecture, working with business and Integration partner to determine how we decommission existing and transition to new.
• I would add that Coupa implementation experience is useful (given that's the tool of choice) but not essential, and general Source to Pay experience remains nice to have.

Role Summary for the Senior Solution Architect - Source to Pay contract: The Source to Pay (S2P) Solution Architect is accountable for the end-to-end technical solution design and delivery of a Source to Pay solution.

This includes supporting a Solution Implementation Partner in implementing a SaaS Solution and pre-implementation activities to set the foundation, defining the solution for integration, Data Migration, Decommissioning and supporting future phases of this transformation.

The chosen solution encompasses sourcing, procurement, contract management, supplier management, invoicing, and accounts payable.

This role is responsible for ensuring that the solution aligns with business objectives, enterprise architecture standards, and integrates seamlessly with other systems.

The architect will guide and support technical implementation teams throughout the project life cycle.

The SA is a bridge between business stakeholders and technical teams, translating functional needs into architectural blueprints and ensuring that solutions are scalable, secure, and cost-effective. The role involves determining the overall solution that meets the needs of Procurement and the wider business end-to-end processes, providing governance and leadership of design authorities, and feeding into the longer term roadmap for the Procurement domain., * Works closely with the Domain Architect to understand the technology roadmaps to meet business needs (as well as understanding the organisations guidelines, standards and principles to work within).

• Works closely with the Domain Architect to shape decisions and estimates before work is initiated on the programme.
• As Architecture leader on the programme, provide the following architectural services': High Level Design - Is responsible for writing the end-to-end high-level design, taking all stakeholders with them and taking through QA and governance processes.
• Options Analysis - Provides high level technology options and recommendations to solve problems.
• Stakeholders and Coordination - Works with all digital functions/owners that contribute to the HLD (eg Infra, Security, Data etc).
• Risks - identifies risks/issues from an architectural perspective.
• Governance - ensures all parties (business & digital) are well informed throughout the design phase and seeks formal sign off in the appropriate governance forum.
• Design Assurance - chair Design Authority for the programme, ensuring all decisions are surfaced, assessed and decided with the correct stakeholders engaged.
• Advice & Guidance - being a trusted advisor to the business and tech teams when they have questions.

Detailed Duties and Responsibilities for the Senior Solution Architect - Source to Pay contract: Solution Design & Architecture:

• Lead the design of scalable, secure, and high-performing S2P solutions across the enterprise.
• Translate business requirements into technical architecture and integration designs.
• Define and maintain the S2P solution blueprint, including data flows, interfaces, and system interactions.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise architecture principles and procurement best practices.

Technical Leadership:

• Provide technical oversight and guidance to implementation teams, including developers, integration specialists, and third-party vendors.
• Review and approve technical deliverables, including solution configurations, custom developments, and integration components.
• Act as the escalation point for technical issues and risks during implementation.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with business stakeholders, procurement leads, finance teams, and IT to understand requirements and ensure solution fit.
• Communicate complex technical concepts in a clear and business-friendly manner.
• Work closely with project managers to ensure timely delivery of solution components.

Governance & Standards:

• Ensure compliance with data security, privacy, and regulatory requirements.
• Define and enforce standards for configuration, customization, and integration.
• Maintain documentation of architecture decisions, solution designs, and technical specifications.

Continuous Improvement:

• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in S2P.
• Recommend improvements to existing systems and processes to enhance efficiency and user experience.
• Support post-implementation reviews and optimization efforts.

Technical Expertise: Min 3 years of experience. Proven experience in designing and implementing Source to Pay solutions.. Strong understanding of procurement processes, supplier life cycle management, and accounts payable. Experience with system integration (eg, ERP, finance systems, supplier networks, e-invoicing platforms). Knowledge of data modelling, APIs, Middleware, and workflow automation. Experience of government and/or utilities (esp water) desirable but not necessary. Proficiency in systems design, integration, and architecture principles. Ability to assess complex business and technical requirements and identify both options & recommended solutions. Capacity to design scalable, sustainable, and future-proof architectures, end-to-end. Ability to produce clear and detailed architectural documentation. Has worked in both a waterfall and agile environment. Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Leadership & Communication: Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical teams. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Collaborative in approach, especially across domains and digital functions Strong problem-solving and analytical capabilities.

Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field. TOGAF certification would be a plus. Certifications in relevant platforms are a plus. Agile and/or ITIL certifications desirable. Preferred Attributes: Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Passionate about delivering high-quality solutions that drive business value.