Boots is looking for an IT Solution Architect to join our team in Nottingham. In this critical design role, you will be responsible for architecting creative solutions across our International Retail, Commercial and Supply Chain business areas, working on some of the most significant transformational IT projects in Europe.

What You'll Do

Deliver high-quality solution designs for projects.
Provide an open communication link between the Solution Delivery team, IT partners, and the wider business to develop quality architecture deliverables.
Support the development of roadmaps for the business and technology.
Develop & maintain a deep understanding of the organisation's IT strategy, technology frameworks, and overall Enterprise Architecture roadmap.
Ensure design governance at the Enterprise and Solution levels are adhered to within retail and supply chain.
Liaise and form good working relationships with other Architects.
Assist in the production and validation of estimates for Roadmaps and Projects.
Provide advice on key design decisions driving high cost/complexity versus business value.
Support the Lead Architect through the creation and maintenance of Architecture Standards, Patterns, and Solution Building Blocks.
Support RFI/RFP tenders with suppliers as the technical SME.
Produce Outline Solution Architectures ensuring all key design decisions are identified and prioritised.
Be accountable for the technical delivery of projects by taking ownership for the end-to-end design.
Review detailed designs and the solution at key points during the project.
Oversee and perform peer reviews of designs produced by peers, partners, and third parties.
Architect, design, govern, and support projects from an end-to-end perspective for the entire project lifecycle.

What We're Looking For

Extensive experience of Solution architecture (minimum of 5 years active).
Experience of using architecture using modelling languages such as ArchiMate.
Experience of a TOGAF aligned framework for architectural designs.
Experience of using case tools like Alfabet, Aris or Sparx Enterprise Architect.
Understanding of different architecture building blocks and integration patterns.
Experience working with and leading a cross functional team of SAs and other SMEs (Integration, Infrastructure, Security).
Experience working with Test teams, service introduction teams, data governance teams.
Experience collaborating with other roles; Product Owners, Business Analysts, Testers, Security and Service Introduction teams.
Experience collaborating with Enterprise Architects and contributing to transitional architecture.
In-depth experience of design and development of IT Solutions ideally Cloud Hosting (Microsoft Azure), Web Services & Micro Services with an understanding of Security such as PCI & GDPR and customer facing technologies.

Nice to Have

Experience in solution design preferably including Azure technology stack, Java EE or Microsoft .NET.
Ideally experience with integration technologies such as Talend, Software AG, WMQ, Azure stack, MuleSoft.
Ideally experience of designing and recommending azure infrastructure capabilities to meet architectural needs; however, experience of other cloud technologies would be acceptable.

Technical Stack

Azure technology stack, Java EE, Microsoft .NET
ArchiMate, Alfabet, Aris, Sparx Enterprise Architect
Talend, Software AG, WMQ, Azure stack, MuleSoft

Team & Environment

You will work with the Solution Delivery team, IT partners, a Lead Architect, other Architects, and cross-functional teams.

Benefits & Compensation

Boots Retirement Savings Plan
Discretionary annual bonus
Generous employee discounts
Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay and gift card
Flexible benefits scheme including option to buy additional holiday, discounted gym membership, life assurance, activity passes
Access to free, 24/7 counselling and support through TELUS Health Employee Assistance Programme.

Work Mode

This role is onsite at our Nottingham (NG90) location.

At Boots, we foster a working environment where consideration and inclusivity help everyone to be themselves and reach their full potential. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, passionate about embracing the diversity of our colleagues and providing a positive and inclusive working environment for all.