Solution Architect

Location: Basingstoke (Hybrid working, 3 office days per week)

Employment Type: Permanent, Full Time

Why Join Us?

• Annual bonus, cash car allowance and private medical insurance
• Shape and embed The AA’s critical data governance operating model across a large, complex organisation
• Build a meaningful Group wide capability with strong executive sponsorship and the opportunity to influence how data is governed from an early stage
• Play a key role in ensuring trusted, high-quality data supports better decision making, customer outcomes and our growing Data and AI ambitions

For over a century, The AA has been keeping Britain moving. Today, millions of drivers trust us to be there when it matters most, and we're equally committed to supporting the people who make that possible. With a 4.5-star Glassdoor rating, we've built a culture where colleagues are empowered to grow, collaborate and make a real impact for our customers on every journey. Which has been recognised by Sunday Times “Best Places to Work” for the last two years.

Job Description

This is the Job

As a Solution Architect , you’ll play a senior role within major transformation programmes, owning solution direction from early discovery through to delivery. You’ll turn complex business requirements and outcomes into coherent, scalable and secure architectures, with a particular focus on solutions involving Microsoft Dynamics 365 and its integration across our wider technology landscape.

Working across Business, Architecture, Product, Engineering, Delivery and Operations, you’ll provide the architectural direction needed to turn ambition into deliverable solutions. You’ll evaluate options and trade-offs, own High Level Designs and take solutions through architecture governance, providing engineering teams with clear decisions, principles and guardrails for detailed design and implementation.

This is a highly visible role where you’ll bring structure to complex transformation challenges and influence decisions at senior level. You’ll work closely with Programme Directors, Business Owners and technology leadership, communicating architectural options, risks and recommendations in clear business language while remaining engaged throughout Agile delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end solution architecture for large, complex transformation initiatives, from early discovery and requirements through governance, engineering handover and delivery
• Architect solutions involving Microsoft Dynamics 365, ensuring effective integration with enterprise applications, data platforms, digital channels and legacy technologies
• Translate business capabilities and outcomes into coherent architectures spanning applications, integration, data, security, resilience, nonfunctional requirements and operational considerations
• Produce Solution Options Papers and High-Level Designs, assessing technology, business, commercial, delivery and operational trade-offs and setting clear architectural direction and guardrails
• Lead solutions through formal architecture governance, including design reviews, Architecture Decision Records and governance boards, responding to challenge and ensuring decisions and actions are progressed
• Partner with Product, Engineering and Delivery teams throughout Agile transformation delivery, providing effective handover into detailed design while remaining engaged to resolve architectural issues, risks and dependencies

What Do I Need?

You’ll Bring

• Proven experience operating as a Solution Architect within large, complex transformation programmes, owning solution direction from discovery through to delivery
• Strong Microsoft Dynamics 365 architecture experience, including designing its integration with wider enterprise platforms, data, digital channels and legacy systems
• Strong end to end solution design capability across applications, integration, data, security, resilience, operational requirements and nonfunctional requirements
• Demonstrable experience producing Solution Options Papers and High-Level Designs, evaluating complex trade-offs and providing clear recommendations and architectural guardrails for engineering teams
• Experience navigating formal architecture governance and working within Agile or product led delivery environments, evolving architecture iteratively alongside Product, Engineering and Delivery
• Strong senior stakeholder leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to operate autonomously, navigate ambiguity and communicate complex architecture, options and risks clearly to stakeholders up to SteerCo and executive level

Nice to Have

• TOGAF, BCS or another relevant architecture qualification
• Experience using enterprise architecture modelling tools such as Orbus, Abacus or MEGA
• Experience architecting customer facing digital, CRM or customer experience platforms

Additional Information

Belonging at The AA

At The AA, we value the unique perspectives, experiences and ideas that our people bring. We've nurtured a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to do their best work.

Through our employee communities and inclusion initiatives, we’ve created opportunities for people to connect, share experiences and influence positive change across the business. This is a place where your voice matters and where you can belong, grow and succeed.

Driven by People, Rewarded by Benefits

We believe in rewarding our people. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package including;

• 25 days' annual leave plus bank holidays, the option to buy additional holiday
• Up to 7% employer pension contribution
• Free AA breakdown membership from Day One with 50% discount for family and friends, discounts on AA products including car and home insurance
• 24/7 GP access and wellbeing support for you and your family
• A wide range of employee discounts, including our popular car salary sacrifice scheme

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