Overview

Penguin Random House UK are looking for an experienced SAP Solution Architect to join the Technology team on a permanent basis in London. Reporting to the ERP Enterprise Architect, you will convert complex business requirements into a robust and sustainable design that becomes the blueprint for resolutions to business problems. The SAP Solution Architect will work with both SAP Functional and Technical teams to define end-to-end processes, ensuring detailed design and implemented solutions are consistent with the overall architecture. You will collaborate with wider teams and act as a subject matter expert on various projects, with strong relationship-building, analytical, and pragmatic approaches.

We’re the UK’s largest publisher, made up of around 2,000 people, publishing over 1,500 books each year. We value flexibility and a collaborative one-team culture.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with SAP Functional and Technical teams to develop strategies and standards for the SAP and Finance Centre of Excellence.
• Research and understand technical requirements, trends, and strategies for SAP.
• Assess project information to understand scope, current IT and business environment, objectives and priorities.
• Define and document the proposed high-level solution.
• Work with Technical Architects to analyse technical risks and advise on risk mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate with Project Manager, Functional Analyst and Business Analyst to develop a high-level project schedule, resource plan, and project costs.
• Responsible for the solution architecture and design; accountable for the solution as specified by requirements and architecture.
• Analyse available assets to bridge the gap between as-is and to-be architecture.
• Evaluate non-functional requirements for testability and technical acceptance criteria.
• Create high-level models that guide solution architecture (component, data-flow, data, deployment and integration viewpoints).
• Create transitional architecture views as part of solution design.
• Define actions to close solution gaps in support of business objectives.
• Participate in reviews of designs, prototypes and other technical deliverables to ensure they fulfil requirements and standards.
• Collaborate with Project Leadership, Developers, and Enterprise Architecture to implement the best architecture.
• Keep up to date with current technology and trends that may benefit Penguin Random House.

What you’ll bring

• Knowledge of application architecture and design methodologies across multiple platforms.
• Experience in complex and highly integrated application environments.
• Strong understanding of back office business processes including Customer Services, Credit Services, Accounts Payable, and core Finance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution) at all levels.
• Ability to translate architecture ideas/designs to multiple audiences, including Executives.
• Thorough understanding of and experience with multiple SDLC methods.
• Team player with a proven ability to work effectively within a large, matrixed organisation.
• Ability to communicate trade-offs and transactional states with technical and business teams.

Preferred criteria

• Be capable of making strategic business decisions, considering risks, long-term implications, and stakeholder needs.
• Able to thrive in fast-paced and high-pressure environments, finding timely solutions.
• Ability to assimilate complex information and draw conclusions to make recommendations.
• Ability to work with ambiguity and drive deliverables forward.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the advert may close at any time. We are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate.

Salary: c.£85,000, depending on skills and experience, plus a generous bonus scheme and benefits.

Location & flexibility: Office in London (Embassy Gardens) 2 days per week; travel to Frating, Colchester may be required occasionally. We recognise flexibility around where you work.