The Solution Architecture Manager is accountable for solutions architecture and the leadership of a team of solution architects that architect, shape, design and propose compelling end to end application solutions that address customer and operational requirements.
The job holder is accountable for the establishment of the solutions architecture standards and ensuring their consistent adoption across all solution architecture initiatives.
The job holder is also accountable for the quality of all solutions delivered by other architects in the function and for standards against which the function delivers.
Additionally, managing team of 10-20 architects and a 2m+ team budget
Key Accountabilities
- Accountable for the Solution Architecture methodology to enable repeatable and standardised architecture for bespoke transport applications, Customer Relationship Management, Asset Management, and Enterprise Resource Planning and ensuring these are consistently transferred into production optimising total cost of operation (TCO)
- Accountable as the final authority on the interpretation of technical standards and for leading on the proof of concept of new architecture solutions to establish effectiveness of requirements and ensuring ability to deliver quickly
- Creating appropriate solutions and processes to govern architecture change including framework standards, libraries and approach to be adopted and ensuring these are keep up-to-date
- Accountable for the creation and maintenance of medium to long term solution road maps to reflect business strategy, direction and requirements and for recommendation of investments across the application portfolio
- Lead, resource, recruit, train, develop and manage all people management aspects of a team of solution architects ensuring best in class architecture services maximising motivation, performance and resource efficiencies across the team
- Accountable for quality assurance of all team outputs, establishing people standards and building a strong technical capability for delivering effective solution architecture
- Accountable for budgeting, estimation and planning objectives for the team of architects following agreed policies and using appropriate techniques and tools
Knowledge
- Expert knowledge of solution (application and data) architecture and elicitation techniques in particular those relating to systems modularisation and factorisation, and leading a team whose responsibility is to deliver solution architectures.
- Expert in systems development technologies and methodologies, in particular agile scrum.
- Detailed knowledge of customer facing and in-house infrastructure and technology trends, particularly those to public transport operations, CRM, asset management, and ERP systems.
- Broad knowledge and understanding of contractual issues in a multi-vendor environment.
- Broad knowledge and understanding of planning and project management tools and techniques
- Broad knowledge and understanding of relevant safety standards and quality legislation, technical standards, company standing orders and risk processes.
- Degree in relevant subject area or TOGAF certification is desirable.
Skills
- Ability to define and manage solution architecture related activities of large, complex distributed systems involving a vast range of technologies.
- Ability to develop and deliver customer facing and back office solutions in large scale and complex environments.
- Strong leadership and people management skills, source of inspiration for team and peers.
- Ability to build effective working relations with people at all levels across the organisation and outside.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills including ability to explain complex information with senior management and directors, produce summary and feasibility reports on complex technical and business issues.
- Ability to influence people at all levels across the organisation and outside, including negotiating and successfully facilitating joint decision making
- Ability to analyse complex systems, spot trends, draw conclusions, and produce solutions and decisions.
