Enterprise Architect

HSO
Manchester
5 months ago
Create job alert

HSO Success and Ambition

HSO has grown organically to have more than 400 people throughout the UK and we expect to continue to grow significantly in the next five years. We are a leading member of the Microsoft Dynamics Inner Circle, founded in 1987, and specialize in sectors such as Retail, Manufacturing, Professional Services, Financial Services and Local Government. We’ve won several prestigious awards over the last few years including being voted in the UK’s top 10 Best Large companies to work for the last 3 years running. This year we are also proud to have been named the D365 Finance Microsoft Partner of the Year Award and Finalist for D365 Sales & Marketing.

HSO is the place to work for those in the Microsoft Dynamics channel. People join and stay because we care; about adding value to our customers, about delivering what we say we will, striving to improve ourselves, being inclusive and having fun.

The core values that enable us to work so well together, also mean our customers want to work with us. We choose to be different to other Microsoft Partners. Caring about our people, customers and quality of work differentiates us. We always support our people and customers to achieve shared, agreed goals.

Job Purpose:

HSO’s Enterprise Architect will engage with the customer at the highest business level, understanding the vision and translating that vision into a technology strategy which will be executed via the HSO Consulting teams as an effective and controlled program of work.

The enterprise architect will work in 3 major phases across client engagements:

1. Analysis & definition

Provide the supporting detail to the vision in terms of business required capabilities, and how these come together to meet the business vision. Understand the environment in which the business operates and the constraints or opportunities of the legacy landscape. Help in the development of the capabilities and requirements by bringing in best practice and technical innovation and showing how it can be used.

2. Architecture design & program planning

Matching up the technology to the requirements. Taking the requirements and strategies and picking the right technologies and approaches to deliver them effectively into the business. This will be documented as you produce the Architecture design, roadmap and definition documents that project services can plan and estimate against.

3. Governance & Architectural change management

Governance. With the program in full flight there will be ongoing work to ensure it is sticking to the principles, and delivering the values, identified in the earlier stages. As part of the Design Authority you help provide the escalation point for projects, and the control point for the business to be able to re-direct elements of the program in response to business change.

This role covers the process from pre-sales to initial engagements through to the validation of work completed. As such the Enterprise Architect is the key consultant for the customer in the overall definition and implementation of their business systems. This is a highly visible role, both internally and externally.

While the primary focus of this role is in the provision of services to the customer, the Enterprise Architect will also be responsible for contributing to internal process and approach for architectural designs and decisions together with the creation of internal tools and for growing and disseminating the key learnings from new technologies or project experience.

Our model for Enterprise Architecture relies on individuals with the capabilities to lead, directing the engagement from a technology perspective, drawing in specialists and supporting teams to put together the right answers for our customers, and to help us win in a competitive market.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the customer engagement for architectural requirements gathering, design and governance Be able to inform and inspire the business debate on technology and digital transformation Facilitate discussions on business transformation through ideation and envisioning sessions Work with prospects and customer to determine the scope of work, and technology approaches, to create an overall enterprise architecture Understand the full breadth of the landscape in which the customer operates (business, geography, regulatory, etc.) and be able to use this in the definition and validation of the architecture Manage the enterprise architecture throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring it continues to deliver on the business vision, and delivers value to the customer Understand the direction of change of business and technology to create a long-term strategic roadmap Be able to assess the feasibility of new processes or technologies within a business Optimise and change business process to enable more efficient working practices and more effective technology deployments Define and lead the stakeholder engagement from an architectural and solution standpoint Make appropriate technology choices for the customer to support the architectural requirements and principles Provide the link between the initial engagement, business community and consulting teams across all elements of the program Oversee the Solution Architects working on a program of work, ensuring that their designs conform to the standards defined in the enterprise architecture Support key roles within the project by creating the framework and principles for them to work within. This could be change management, cloud solution architect, advanced data analytics, etc. Produce enterprise architecture and design documentation to agreed standards Understand the HSO project delivery methodology and recommend the implementation approach for new solutions Work closely with project teams and act as a point of reference/escalation during the implementation of a solution, closely aligned with the Program Manager Undertake Business Process design/mapping and documentation Create the space for agile, innovative projects running in parallel to the main program Participate in pre-sales activities, orchestrating and leading demonstrations Represent HSO in a professional and positive manner at all times Adhere to health and safety policy and other requirements relating to care of equipment. Ensure that all Certifications and Accreditations required to fulfil this Role within HSO are met

Deliverables

The following elements are typical of an Enterprise Architecture blueprint and delivery of these would be the responsibility of the Enterprise Architect:

Capability Maps Business Architecture Application Architecture Data Architecture Integration Architecture Intelligence Architecture Security Architecture Platform Architecture Roadmap

Key Competencies

Vision and thought leadership in technology Commercial and budget awareness Client facing at CxO level Critical thinking and problem-solving skills Planning and organising Decision-making Leadership Communication skills to be credible at every level Business influencing and leading Conflict management

Requirements

Experience and Skills

The Enterprise Architect will have senior working-level capabilities and experience with many business, functional (application) and infrastructure (operational) products, technologies, processes and services. While often relying on specialists for the construction, implementation and operation aspects of solution delivery in many of these areas, the Architect must have enough capabilities and experience across them to be able to successfully architect appropriate solutions of heterogeneous components.


Essential:

6+ years of hands-on software implementation experience across a variety of roles, with at least 3 major projects or 3+ years in a solution architect or leading project role Previous experience as an Enterprise or Senior Solution Architect, having been responsible for shaping previous systems and complex programs of work Adept at Business Requirement Analysis and able to demonstrate a wide understanding of one or more of HSO’s key markets of Retail, Distribution, Manufacturing and Technical Services. Pre-sales experience Excellent presentation and demonstration skills Project Management awareness Good written and verbal communication skills Strong understanding of the concepts of modern technology Expert level in at least one core area of Dynamics 365 Broad understanding of all the elements of the Microsoft technology platform Awareness and understanding of key players and technologies in the business applications market ( Forecasting software, HR packages, middleware, etc.) Good understanding of implementation methodology or demonstrate understanding of the implementation process for ERP systems TOGAF qualification, Foundation essential, Practitioner preferred

Desirable:

Educated to degree level in Computer Science or technical subject, or equivalent experience, with further qualifications in Microsoft technologies and industry qualifications TOGAF Senior business leadership experience (Finance Director, IT Director, etc.) Working knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365, Azure services and Microsoft 365 At least one implementation with documentation in the role of Enterprise Architect Experience implementing solutions for manufacturing, retail and professional services companies Worked in a solution delivery from consultancy side

Benefits

Parking and close to Public transport at Office locations

Holidays

Pension

Healthcare

Dental

Life Insurance

Tonic Wellbeing

HSO Perkz

Related Jobs

View all jobs

Enterprise Architect - Enabling Functions

Enterprise Architect, Europe

Enterprise Applications Architect

Senior Enterprise Architect

Principal Data Architect

Principal Data Enterprise Architect

Get the latest insights and jobs direct. Sign up for our newsletter.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.

Industry Insights

Discover insightful articles, industry insights, expert tips, and curated resources.

Global vs. Local: Comparing the UK Data Science Job Market to International Landscapes

How to evaluate salaries, opportunities, and work culture in data science across the UK, the US, Europe, and Asia Data science has proven to be more than a passing trend; it is now a foundational pillar of modern decision-making in virtually every industry—from healthcare and finance to retail and entertainment. As the volume of data grows exponentially, organisations urgently need professionals who can transform raw information into actionable insights. This high demand has sparked a wave of new opportunities for data scientists worldwide. In this article, we’ll compare the UK data science job market to those in the United States, Europe, and Asia. We’ll explore hiring trends, salary benchmarks, and cultural nuances to help you decide whether to focus your career locally or consider opportunities overseas or in fully remote roles. Whether you’re a fresh graduate looking for your first data science position, an experienced data professional pivoting from analytics, or a software engineer eager to break into machine learning, understanding the global data science landscape can be a game-changer. By the end of this overview, you’ll be better equipped to navigate the expanding world of data science—knowing which skills and certifications matter most, how salaries differ between regions, and what to expect from distinct work cultures. Let’s dive in.

Data Science Leadership for Managers: Strategies to Motivate, Mentor, and Set Realistic Goals in Data-Driven Teams

Data science has become a linchpin in modern business, transforming oceans of raw data into actionable insights that guide strategy, product development, and personalised customer experiences. With this surge in data-centric operations, the need for effective data science leadership has never been more critical. Guiding a team of data scientists, analysts, and machine learning engineers requires not only technical acumen but also the ability to foster collaboration, champion ethical practices, and align complex modelling efforts with overarching business goals. This article provides practical guidance for managers and aspiring leaders aiming to excel in data-driven environments. By exploring strategies to motivate data science professionals, develop mentoring frameworks, and set achievable milestones, you will be better prepared to steer your team towards meaningful, evidence-based outcomes.

10 Essential Books to Read to Nail Your Data Science Career in the UK

Data science continues to be one of the most exciting and rapidly evolving fields in tech. With industries across the UK—ranging from finance and healthcare to e-commerce and government—embracing data-driven decision-making, the demand for skilled data scientists has soared. Whether you're a recent graduate looking for your first role or a professional aiming to advance your career, staying updated through books is crucial. In this article, we explore ten essential books every data science job seeker in the UK should read. Each book provides valuable insights into core concepts, practical applications, and industry-standard tools, helping you build skills employers are actively looking for.