Solution Architect Global Grade 13

Core purpose of the role

The Solutions Architect is responsible for designing and leading the implementation of solutions and capability architecture for specific business capabilities or user journeys, aligning with the overall digital vision and target architecture. This role involves guiding business service teams, researching existing systems, devising compatible solutions, and engaging directly with clients to demonstrate solutions, clarify capabilities, and resolve issues during business development.

Key deliverables and outputs

1. Translate digital vision into solution designs and change requirements
2. Design end-to-end solutions, including cross-domain integration and APIs
3. Define non-functional, operational, and quality requirements
4. Create technical stories to enable business capabilities, promoting reuse and accepting features post-demo
5. Plan release of technical stories collaboratively
6. Develop RFI/RFP/RFQ/Engagement proposals and design documents
7. Guide delivery teams to ensure alignment
8. Ensure solutions comply with security, privacy, and regulatory standards
9. Manage technical debt and obsolescence at the solution level
10. Advocate for adopting new technologies
11. Define application and technical architecture structures aligned with business needs and performance goals
12. Lead architecture analysis, design, and implementation to meet requirements
13. Transform functional requirements into technical specifications considering security, performance, and maintainability
14. Collaborate with other architects for optimal component integration
15. Review architecture deliverables throughout SDLC for quality and traceability
16. Develop roadmaps for future changes
17. Deliver documentation, diagrams, and other architectural artifacts
18. Assist with deployment, backup, disaster recovery, and system performance in production support

Internal customers

• IT Management and executives
• Business management/executives

External stakeholders

• External customers

Qualification, Experience, and Competencies

Minimum required qualification

• Degree in Computer Science or Information Systems
• Relevant Post Graduate Degree
• TOGAF Certification or equivalent

Work Experience

• 5-10 years in Information Technology
• At least 5 years in an IT Architecture role with complex initiatives
• Proven development of technical and application architecture
• Experience with Salesforce CRM (Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, Marketing Cloud)
• Proficiency in Salesforce Apex, LWC, Visual Force, Flow
• Deep understanding of Salesforce Data Model and security
• Experience integrating Salesforce with ERP systems like SAP or Microsoft Dynamics
• Salesforce DevOps experience

Knowledge

• Knowledge of architecture frameworks like Zachman or SAFE
• Understanding of business ecosystems, IaaS, SaaS, PaaS, SOA, APIs
• Knowledge of information management and IT Service Management practices
• Awareness of emerging technologies and digital business strategies
• Knowledge of ITIL

Skills

• Ability to work sensitively in political environments and with senior leadership
• Exceptional communication skills
• Customer expectation management
• Blend of business, IT, financial, and communication skills
• Salesforce CRM expertise

Personal Attributes

• Focus on execution and change agility
• Strategic translation into action
• Clear communication and decision ownership
• Proactive action orientation
• Customer-centric mindset
• Resilience under stress

Advantages

• Relationship-building orientation
• Passion for business performance
• Problem-solving focus
• Alignment with best practices
• Practical thinking
• Persuasiveness
• Teamwork preference