Group Director, Solution Architecture & Technical Validation

Wunderman Thompson (DBA VML); Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

WPP Enterprise Solutions seeks a Group Director of Solution Architecture and Technical Validation to lead pre-sales technical validation for complex ES opportunities, with preferred hubs in New York, Chicago or London.

You will translate client needs into architecture, assemble SMEs, and shape credible, deliverable solutions while ensuring feasibility and governance throughout the pursuit.

Qualifications

• Group Director-level solution architect or technology transformation leader.
• Strong understanding of martech, data, AI, customer engagement, content, commerce and enterprise ecosystems.
• Ability to communicate technical complexity to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Validate technical feasibility and solution shape for complex ES opportunities.
• Translate client needs into technical requirements and delivery implications.
• Pull in ES technical SMEs and Pillar Leads when specialist depth is required.
• Support pursuit teams with technical credibility in client conversations, proposals and workshops.
• Identify delivery risk, dependency gaps and architecture assumptions early in the pursuit process.
• Create reusable solution architecture patterns for recurring ES opportunity types.
• Partner with Commercial Architecture to ensure proposed solutions can be priced and governed appropriately.

Skills

Solution architecture

Technical validation

Martech & data

Executive communication

Commercial awareness

Job description

Group Director, Solution Architecture & Technical Validation

WPP Enterprise Solutions designs, builds, and operates the growth systems that competitive businesses rely on. In a world where Al is reshaping how companies drive growth, we lead clients in business transformation and marketing modernization, connecting strategy directly to execution. Our 12,000 experts in engineering and platforms, commerce, consulting, content transformation, CRM, and CX work within a unified global operating unit across 40+ markets. WPP Enterprise Solutions works alongside best-in-class partners including Adobe, AWS, Braze, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Shopify, as well as innovators in AI, to deliver growth solutions tailored to the needs of our clients' businesses. VML, part of WPP, supports WPP Enterprise Solutions by helping brands activate transformation through creativity and experience.

Group Director, Solution Architecture & Technical Validation

Function

Reports to

Level

Group Director

Location / hub

New York, Chicago or London preferred;

Remit

Global role focused on pre-sales solution architecture and technical validation.

ROLE MANDATE

Provide pre-sales solution architecture and technical validation for complex ES opportunities before they move into formal proposal or delivery.

WHY THIS ROLE EXISTS

Growth Architecture needs credible technical support that can quickly test feasibility, shape the right solution path and prevent pursuits from becoming over-promised or under-defined.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Validate technical feasibility and solution shape for complex ES opportunities.
• Translate client needs into clear technical requirements, solution components and delivery implications.
• Pull in the right ES technical SMEs and Pillar Leads when specialist depth is required.
• Support pursuit teams with technical credibility in client conversations, proposals and workshops.
• Identify delivery risk, dependency gaps and architecture assumptions early in the pursuit process.
• Create reusable solution architecture patterns for recurring ES opportunity types.
• Partner with Commercial Architecture to ensure proposed solutions can be priced and governed appropriately.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Group Director-level solution architect, technical consultant or technology transformation leader.
• Strong understanding of martech, data, AI, customer engagement, content, commerce and enterprise platform ecosystems.
• Able to communicate technical complexity clearly to non-technical senior stakeholders.
• Commercially aware and practical; able to balance ambition with feasibility.
• Comfortable operating before all requirements are fully defined.
• Collaborative and able to orchestrate specialist SMEs without becoming the delivery owner.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Head of Growth Architecture & Enterprise Sales and wider Growth leadership.
• WPP Network Growth for WPP-sourced opportunities that require architecture depth.
• ES Pillar Leads, technical SMEs, Consulting / Advisory, Alliances and Pursuit Excellence.
• Growth Operations, Finance, Legal and commercial leadership for pursuit governance.
• Enterprise client stakeholders and senior WPP leaders where direct or complex pursuits are active.

SUCCESS MEASURES

• Quality of technical validation and solution-shaping inputs.
• Reduced solution risk before proposal or delivery handoff.
• Speed of SME identification and technical input into pursuits.
• Reusable solution architecture patterns created.
• Stakeholder confidence in feasibility and credibility of proposed ES solutions.

FIRST 90-DAY FOCUS

• Define a lightweight technical validation checklist for complex opportunities.
• Map core ES technical SME network and escalation routes.
• Support priority live pursuits requiring technical validation.
• Create initial reusable solution patterns for common opportunity types.

The base salary range for this position at the time of this posting is indicated below. Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including location, business needs, level of responsibility, experience, and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package, for more details.

$100,000 — $230,000 USD

About WPP

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world's leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence and world-class partnerships - all united by our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open - we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. For more information, visit WPP.com .

WPP (VML/WPP Enterprise Solutions) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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