Solution Architect Practise Lead

Primark Stores Limited; Reading; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company in the United Kingdom seeks a Solution Architecture Practice Lead to define architectural standards and lead a high-performing team. You will mentor solution architects, drive innovation, and ensure compliance with best practices. The ideal candidate has significant experience in technology solutions and strong leadership skills. This role offers a collaborative environment with benefits including healthcare and potential bonuses.

Benefits

Healthcare

Pension

Potential bonus

Fitness centre

Subsidised cafeteria

27 days of leave plus bank holidays

Qualifications

• Significant experience as a senior solution architect or similar leadership role.
• Strong track record of designing and delivering complex technology solutions.
• Deep understanding of modern architectures (microservices, APIs, cloud platforms).

Responsibilities

• Define and enforce architectural standards aligned with technology strategy.
• Provide mentorship to solution architects and oversee solution reviews.
• Drive the development and maintenance of architectural patterns.

Skills

Proven Expertise

Technical Leadership

Influential Communication

Strategic Vision

Industry & Professional Knowledge

Education

Professional certifications such as TOGAF

Job description

Solution Architecture Practice Lead

Because we strive to put people first. Culture, our way.

Technology at Primark

What’s a career at Primark all about? The positive impact you’re making, the experiences you’re having and the people you’re with. You’re our inspiration. Embrace what sets you apart, own your career and develop in ways you never expected. Leave your mark. And do it your way.

Our technology team is actively shaping the next wave of advancements. Engaged with innovative initiatives, your expertise will propel our business into the future. Collaborating with a creative team of tech enthusiasts, you’ll contribute your unique skills to fuel our technological advancements.

What You’ll Do as a Solution Architecture Practice Lead

In your role, you’ll collaborate with different people across a range of skillsets. Here’s a flavour of your day-to-day:

• Lead Solution Architecture Practice: Define and enforce architectural standards, frameworks, and guidelines aligned with Primark’s technology strategy, ensuring consistency and scalability across solutions.
• Strategic Guidance & Governance: Provide mentorship to solution architects, oversee solution reviews, and own architectural risks/issues throughout project lifecycles to ensure compliance with best practices.
• Reusable Architecture Assets: Drive the development and maintenance of architectural patterns, design principles, and reference architectures; promote component re-use within a composable architecture framework.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with business stakeholders, product teams, security, and vendors to align solutions with business goals and security principles, while managing outsourcing relationships.
• Innovation & Industry Alignment: Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends; lead proof‑of‑concepts and recommend technology adoption strategies to deliver business value.

Team Leadership & Development: Build and manage a high‑performing team of solution architects, foster a culture of collaboration and continuous learning, and create talent succession plans aligned with future business needs.

What You’ll Get

People are at the heart of what we do here, so it’s essential we provide you with the right environment to perform at your very best. Let’s talk lifestyle.

Let’s talk lifestyle: Healthcare, pension, and potential bonus. 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more. Because Primark is all about tailoring to you, we offer Tax Saver Tickets, fitness centre, and a subsidised cafeteria.

What You’ll Bring

Here at Primark, we want everyone to feel valued – so please bring your authentic self to work, of course with some other key experience and abilities for this role in particular:

• Proven Expertise: Significant experience as a senior solution architect or similar leadership role, with a strong track record of designing and delivering complex technology solutions.
• Technical Leadership: Deep understanding of modern architectures (microservices, APIs, cloud platforms, data analytics) and solution design principles, supported by strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Influential Communication: Exceptional leadership, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration skills, acting as a trusted advisor across business and technology teams.
• Strategic Vision: Ability to drive innovation, challenge existing paradigms, and align technology strategies with business objectives; experience in shaping and underpinning business strategies.
• Industry & Professional Knowledge: Familiarity with retail or fashion industry technology landscapes and trends; professional certifications such as TOGAF or similar are highly desirable.

Team Development & Resource Management: Demonstrated ability to build and mentor high‑performing teams, manage resource allocation, and foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

Does this sound like you? Great, because we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring. You’ll be supported within a team of equally capable people, celebrating who you are and aiding you reach your potential. At Primark, we’re excited about our future - and we’re excited to develop yours.

About Primark

At Primark, people matter. They’re the beating heart of our business and the reason we’ve grown from our first store in Dublin in 1969 to a £9bn+ turnover business and over 80,000 colleagues and over 440 stores in 17 countries today. Our values run through everything we do. In essence, we’re Caring and always strive to put people first. We’re also Dynamic, bravely pushing the boundaries to stay ahead. And finally, we succeed Together.

If you need any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request, during your recruitment journey, such as extended time or breaks between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, mobility access, or assistive technology please contact your talent acquisition specialist.

All offers of employment are subject to background checks, including right to work, reference education and for some roles criminal, and financial checks. If you have any concerns, please reach out to our talent acquisition team to discuss.

Our fashion isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all and neither is our culture. Primark promotes equal employment opportunity, we strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can be themselves, access opportunities and thrive together.

If you require extra support at any stage of the selection process, please get in touch with our team at [e-mail].

REQ ID: JR-3344