Lead Solution Architect (Ecommerce)

Primark; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 129,000 - 185,000; Part time

Job summary

Primark is seeking a Lead Solution Architect to steer the global ecommerce expansion from Reading. You will provide architectural leadership across large-scale digital commerce initiatives, shaping strategy and delivery across new markets and omnichannel capabilities.

You will drive API-first, cloud-native architectures and govern essential artefacts while collaborating with senior stakeholders to align with enterprise standards and business objectives.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering large-scale enterprise programmes.
• Experience with ecommerce ecosystems and integrations.
• Strong API-led, event-driven, and cloud-native architectures.
• Knowledge of TOGAF or equivalent frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Lead solution architecture across ecommerce storefront, product and checkout.
• Define architecture roadmaps and transition strategies for international growth.
• Produce architecture artefacts including blueprints and designs.
• Collaborate across Digital, Supply Chain, Finance and Data teams.
• Drive API-first, event-driven approaches across the ecommerce landscape.
• Govern architectural standards and risk management across workstreams.

Skills

Lead Solution Architect

Enterprise architecture

Ecommerce

API-led architecture

Cloud-native architecture

Stakeholder management

Leadership of distributed teams

Tools

TOGAF

Job description

Lead Solution Architect - Ecommerce Expansion

Duration: Initial 6 Months

Location: Reading (Hybrid)

Job Type: Inside IR35 Day Rate Contract

We're looking for an experienced Lead Solution Architect to play a critical role in shaping and delivering Primark's global ecommerce expansion strategy.

This is an exciting opportunity to provide architectural leadership across large-scale digital commerce initiatives, helping to drive growth across new markets, fulfilment models, customer journeys and operational capabilities. You will work closely with business and technology stakeholders to design secure, scalable and resilient solutions that support Primark's ambitious ecommerce roadmap.

What you'll be doing

• Leading solution architecture across ecommerce storefront, product, pricing, checkout, payments, order management, fulfilment, delivery and returns capabilities
• Defining solution vision, architecture roadmaps and transition strategies to support international ecommerce growth
• Producing and governing architecture artefacts including solution blueprints, integration designs, capability maps and target-state architectures
• Collaborating across Digital, Supply Chain, Merchandising, Finance, Data, Security and Engineering teams to deliver cohesive end-to-end solutions
• Driving API-first, event-driven and cloud-native architecture approaches across the ecommerce landscape
• Identifying and managing architectural risks, dependencies and impacts across multiple concurrent workstreams
• Supporting vendor assessments, technology selection activities and architecture governance forums
• Providing architecture assurance throughout the delivery lifecycle, ensuring alignment to enterprise standards and business objectives
• Supporting strategic decision-making around ecommerce platform evolution, integrations and operational capabilities
• Working closely with senior business and technology stakeholders to shape future digital commerce capabilities

What we're looking for

• Proven experience as a Lead Solution Architect delivering large-scale enterprise technology programmes
• Strong architecture experience within ecommerce, omnichannel retail and digital transformation environments
• Excellent knowledge of ecommerce ecosystems including storefronts, order management, fulfilment, payments and customer journeys
• Experience designing complex integrations across enterprise applications and third-party platforms
• Strong understanding of API-led, event-driven and cloud-native architecture patterns
• Experience defining solution roadmaps, architecture blueprints and target-state designs
• Deep understanding of architecture governance, standards and best practices including TOGAF or equivalent methodologies
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence technical and non-technical audiences at all levels
• Strong leadership skills with experience guiding distributed teams across multiple workstreams
• Previous retail or ecommerce experience would be highly advantageous
• Extensive technology and architecture experience delivering enterprise-scale solutions

This is a fantastic opportunity to join Primark's global technology transformation journey, helping shape the future of ecommerce and digital customer experiences across multiple international markets.