ERP Business Systems Architect

Lloyd’s Register is replacing SAP Business ByDesign (ByD) and repositioning the finance platform as a focused core financial and operational processing capability within the wider enterprise architecture. Customer, commercial and contract lifecycle capabilities will move to Salesforce, while service delivery and asset-related capabilities will move to modular workbenches and hubs (known as the Grid). The current platform scope spans the end-to-end processes of Quote to Contract, Project to Invoice, Field Service to Invoice, Invoice to Cash, Procure to Pay and Record to Report.

The ERP Business Systems Architect provides strategic leadership for this change from a CTIO perspective. Working with Finance, Enterprise Architecture and programme leadership, the role defines the target operating model, platform boundaries, design principles and solution roadmap for the future finance platform. This includes shaping how the current scope supports commercial, project, service, billing, purchasing and core finance processes, ensuring the chosen solution delivers control, simplification, scalability and long-term enterprise alignment.

It also owns the technical shape of the solution and works with Enterprise Architecture to define how the finance platform fits the wider architecture and integrates with other platforms.

Programme context

• ByD is being replaced because it is approaching end of life (2030), creating the need for a sustainable, strategically aligned future state.
• Customer, commercial and contract lifecycle capabilities are moving to Salesforce, while service delivery and asset capabilities move to modular workbenches and hubs, requiring clear architectural boundaries and control points across the landscape.

• A structured discovery across FY26/27 will establish the strategic direction for the proposed solution and the wider business systems rationalisation, define the target process and technology model, clarify data and integration strategy, shape sourcing decisions, and establish a phased roadmap into procurement and delivery., Strategic current state assessment

• Lead the assessment of current finance processes, controls, workflows and pain points to identify transformation priorities, control weaknesses, simplification opportunities and the strategic direction for the future solution.
• Establish a clear view of how ByD is used today, including areas where it is supporting capabilities that should sit elsewhere in the target architecture and where wider business systems rationalisation is required.
• Assess the current integration and data landscape to expose dependencies, risks, technical constraints and opportunities for rationalisation across Finance, Salesforce, and adjacent platforms.

Target operating model and process design

• Define target finance processes that are simpler, more standardised and more scalable, drawing on proven practice and strategic design principles rather than replicating legacy ways of working.
• Set the strategic direction for the proposed solution and the future division of responsibilities across the finance platform, Salesforce, and adjacent business systems, including governance, control points, design authority and decision rights.
• Shape the future Lead to Cash and delivery to finance model with Finance and programme stakeholders to ensure the end to end design is coherent, controlled, aligned to business priorities and supports wider business systems rationalisation.

Strategic requirements and design principles

• Translate target operating model decisions and business outcomes into clear, prioritised and platform agnostic requirements for the future finance solution.
• Define the strategic integration model and key business events required between the finance platform, Salesforce and our modular architecture, including time entry, cost and revenue shadowing, and data flows into enterprise reporting and outcomes platforms.
• Establish the core finance data, reporting and analytical requirements, including ownership, control and principles for data integrity across the landscape.

Sourcing strategy and vendor selection

• Shape the sourcing approach by carrying strategic requirements, scope boundaries, architecture principles and evaluation criteria into the RFP process.
• Lead or support the development of the RFP, including decision criteria, vendor questions, assessment framework and required evidence of fit.
• Evaluate submissions, structure vendor demonstrations and test strategic fit against business requirements, target architecture, delivery practicality and long term value.
• Support executive recommendations, business case development and contract decisions with clear analysis of trade offs, risks and implementation implications.

Enterprise solution architecture and roadmap

• Provide architectural leadership for the future finance platform and its role within the wider enterprise landscape, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards and transformation priorities.
• Define the integration approach with Salesforce and the GRID, favouring a small number of robust, business level and data mapped integrations that support scale, control and maintainability.
• Assess solution and delivery options against strategic objectives and architectural constraints, and define a phased multi year roadmap for transition and value realisation.
• Provide design authority through implementation to ensure that strategic intent, architectural integrity and target process outcomes are maintained during delivery.

• Finance platform transformation. Significant experience leading or shaping a finance platform or ERP replacement, ideally from strategic discovery through to implementation and adoption.
• Finance operating model and process knowledge. Strong understanding of core finance processes including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, cash flow, multi entity, multi currency, intercompany, audit and compliance, with the ability to translate this into scalable target state design.
• Transformation design. A track record of assessing current state, challenging legacy complexity, and defining standardised target processes and system boundaries that improve control, efficiency and business value.
• Sourcing and evaluation. Experience shaping requirements, supporting or leading RFP activity, and advising on vendor selection through structured evaluation, trade off analysis and recommendation.
• Solution and enterprise architecture. Strong solution architecture capability with the credibility and technical depth to define, defend and govern key design decisions.
• Integration and data strategy. Experience designing integrations, APIs and data models across finance, CRM and operational systems, with a strong grasp of ownership, control and interoperability.
• Senior stakeholder influence. Able to work effectively with Finance leaders, architects and programme stakeholders, facilitating alignment and guiding decisions across business and technology., * Experience with SAP Business ByDesign or a comparable mid market ERP.
• Familiarity with Salesforce as a CRM and commercial platform within a broader enterprise application landscape.
• Experience in a professional services or asset and inspection oriented business.
• Exposure to enterprise architecture practice, including architecture decision records and capability modelling.
• Experience with cloud and Microsoft or Azure based landscapes.

Technical competencies

• Finance platform and ERP architecture.
• Integration patterns, APIs and event based design.
• Data modelling, data ownership and master data.
• Reporting and analytics architecture.
• Non functional requirements such as throughput, reliability and security.

Ways of working

• Strategic and outcome focused, able to move from ambiguity to evidence based recommendations and clear decisions.
• Credible communicator with senior business and technical stakeholders, able to translate complex issues into clear choices and implications.
• Confident challenging legacy assumptions and guiding stakeholders towards more standard, scalable and value led design choices.
• Comfortable operating across a multi year transformation, balancing strategic direction with practical delivery realities.

We are a leading international technical professional service provider and a leader in classification, compliance, and consultancy services to the marine and offshore industry, a trusted advisor to our customers helping to design, construct and operate their assets to the highest levels of safety and performance. We are shaping the industry’s future through the development of novel and innovative technology for the next generation of assets, while continuing to deliver solutions for our customers every day.

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Lloyd’s Register is wholly owned by the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, a politically and financially independent global charity that aims to engineer a safer world through promoting safety and education. For a thriving ocean economy, Lloyd’s Register colleagues and Lloyd’s Register Foundation work together to fund research, foster industry collaboration and develop action-oriented solutions to make the world a safer place.

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