Head of Solution Architecture & Design

DS Smith; City of Westminster; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading packaging firm in the UK is seeking a Head of Solution Architecture & Design to serve as the design authority for its IT landscape. This role ensures that every technology decision aligns with the company's transformation goals while balancing innovation and standardisation. The ideal candidate will develop multi-year technology roadmaps and oversee the creation of high-level designs, leading a high-performing team to drive successful implementation across infrastructure and security projects.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of infrastructure, cloud, and security architectures.
• Track record in defining and governing architecture frameworks.
• Experience leading design assurance for large transformation programs.
• Deep experience in balancing innovation and standardisation.
• Excellent understanding of hybrid infrastructure and cloud principles.
• Strategic communicator able to translate technical architecture.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the solution design authority for infrastructure projects.
• Develop and maintain multi-year technology roadmaps.
• Oversee the creation and approval of High-Level Designs for projects.
• Own the solution architecture governance framework.
• Build and lead a high-performing team of solution architects.

Skills

Understanding of infrastructure architectures

Experience in cloud architectures

Strong communication skills

Leadership abilities

Stakeholder engagement

Knowledge of architectural frameworks

Job description

Design Authority Leadership

The Head of Solution Architecture & Design acts as the design authority for DS Smith's IT landscape – ensuring all solutions, infrastructure and security architectures follow one coherent blueprint. This role balances innovation with standardisation, ensuring every technology decision aligns with DS Smith's Target Operating Model and long-term transformation goals. The function enables DS Smith to scale securely and efficiently by connecting enterprise architecture principles to practical delivery.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the solution design authority for DS Smith's Infrastructure & Security projects and transformation programmes.
• Define and maintain architectural standards, guardrails, and reference models that ensure consistency across domains.
• Represent IS&S at the Technical Design Authority Board, providing governance and oversight across all infrastructure solution designs.

Architecture Integration & Alignment

• Lead a federated team of domain architects spanning Infrastructure, Workplace, and Security disciplines.
• Ensure architectural alignment between IT, OT, and business systems to deliver an integrated enterprise design.
• Drive coherence across network, hosting, workplace, and security architectures to enable standardisation and reuse.

Roadmaps & Platform Evolution

• Develop and maintain multi-year technology roadmaps covering infrastructure, security, and digital workplace platforms.
• Partner with product and service owners to align investment priorities with architectural direction.
• Influence strategic vendor roadmaps to ensure compatibility and long-term sustainability of DS Smith's platforms.

Solution Design & Assurance

• Oversee the creation and approval of High-Level Designs (HLDs) for projects and initiatives.
• Ensure all designs comply with architecture principles, information security requirements, and operational support models.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure solutions are built "right first time" and remain maintainable in operation.

Governance & Standards

• Own the solution architecture governance framework and ensure adherence through stage-gate and design review processes.
• Partner with Enterprise Architecture and PMO to ensure solution design supports both business capability needs and cost efficiency.
• Define design patterns and technical standards for re-use across delivery teams.

Collaboration & Cross‑functional Partnership

• Partner closely with the Heads of Security Engineering, Infrastructure & Core Platforms, and Digital Workplace to ensure design translates seamlessly into build.
• Support the Director of Infrastructure, Security & Services with technical input into strategic sourcing, TOM design, and transformation planning.
• Act as the escalation point for architectural issues and risks during project delivery.

Leadership & People Development

• Build and lead a small, high‑performing team of solution and domain architects.
• Foster an open, collaborative culture that values pragmatism, accountability, and innovation.
• Develop internal talent through mentoring, certification support, and exposure to transformation programmes.
• Proven experience leading multi‑domain architecture teams in a complex enterprise or shared services environment.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of infrastructure, cloud, and security architectures and how they interconnect.
• Track record in defining and governing architecture frameworks across multiple delivery partners.
• Experience leading design assurance for large transformation or integration programmes.
• Deep experience in balancing innovation, cost, and standardisation through pragmatic architecture.
• Strong grasp of architectural frameworks (TOGAF, SABSA, ITIL alignment).
• Excellent understanding of hybrid infrastructure, workplace technologies, and cloud architecture principles.
• Strategic communicator – able to translate technical architecture into clear business language.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement and influencing across executive and technical levels.
• Comfortable operating in federated and multi‑sourced delivery environments.