Group Director, Solution Architecture & Technical Validation

Vmlenterprisesolutions; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

WPP Enterprise Solutions seeks a Group Director, Solution Architecture & Technical Validation to lead pre-sales architecture and validation for complex ES opportunities. Location: New York, Chicago or London preferred, with global scope.

You will translate client needs into clear technical requirements, assemble the right SMEs, support pursuit teams, and define reusable architecture patterns. Deep knowledge of martech, data, AI, and enterprise ecosystems is essential.

Qualifications

• Group Director-level experience in solution architecture and pre-sales for complex opportunities.
• Deep knowledge of martech, data, AI, customer engagement, content and commerce ecosystems.
• Ability to translate client needs into clear technical requirements and delivery implications.
• Strong capability to orchestrate SMEs and manage senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Validate technical feasibility and shape solutions for complex ES deals.
• Translate client needs into technical requirements, components and delivery impacts.
• Pull in ES technical SMEs and Pillar Leads when depth is required.
• Support pursuit teams with technical credibility in client conversations and workshops.
• Identify delivery risk, gaps and assumptions early in pursuits.
• Create reusable solution-architecture patterns for recurring types.
• Partner with Commercial Architecture to ensure pricing and governance fit.

Skills

Group Director-level

Solution architecture

Technical validation

Martech & AI

Stakeholder management

Job description

Who We Are

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 Growth Architecture & Enterprise Sales

Reports to Executive Director, Growth Architecture & Enterprise Sales / relevant Managing Director

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, $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.