Overview

At AO, we’re all about making things better - smarter, faster, and more customer-focused. That’s why we’re on the lookout for a brilliant Data Solutions Architect to help shape the future of our data landscape. In this role, you’ll be at the heart of designing the platforms and architecture that power our data engineering, analytics, and data science teams. You’ll lead the charge in moving from legacy systems to modern, scalable platforms - building a solid integration framework that sets us up for long-term success. We’re not just looking for technical know-how - we want someone who can bring clarity, direction, and energy to our strategic roadmap. You’ll help us make smart decisions using frameworks like PACE (Performance, Agility, Cost, Experience) and TIME (Technology, Infrastructure, Market, Efficiency), ensuring every move we make is grounded in insight and impact.

Responsibilities

• You’re a natural when it comes to leading the technical design of data solutions. You know how to cut through complexity, turning conflicting requirements into simple, smart designs that just work.
• You’re confident working with senior stakeholders - influencing decisions, setting direction, and inspiring your team to deliver bold, forward-thinking solutions. You’ve got a solid track record of knowing when to build and when to buy, making the most of existing tech while shaping the future of our architecture.
• You’re great at building strong relationships across the business, translating opportunities into clear technical requirements. You’ve worked with third-party vendors and suppliers, and you know how to get the best out of those partnerships to deliver high-impact designs.
• A Few Things About You: Bring proven experience as a Data Solutions Architect in a fast-paced, ever-evolving environment.

Capabilities & Approach

• Work with business analysts to gather requirements and translate them into smart, scalable data designs.
• Recommend modern, agile solutions across Data Science, Engineering, Platform, and Analytics.
• Champion a balanced buy vs. build approach - tailored to each case.
• Align designs with AO’s wider business, tech, and data strategies.
• Set and maintain data standards - from approved tech lists to modelling principles and vendor management.
• Create high-level designs that guide Data teams on what to build and how to build it.
• Collaborate with vendors to assess third-party solutions and design seamless integrations.
• Partner with business and tech leads to ensure architecture is secure, compliant, effective, and cost-efficient.
• Keep an eye on emerging data innovations and spot opportunities to embed them into AO projects.
• Act as a subject matter expert - consulting across AO’s business and tech teams.

Benefits

• Holidays; 25 days, plus bank holidays (increasing to 27 days after 2 years with us!)
• Pension; Contribute 5% of your annual salary and we'll do the same, giving you a little extra support for the future.
• Be a VIP at the AO Arena; we have loads of opportunities to win free tickets and pre-sale access!
• Health & wellbeing; discounted gym membership, an onsite spa and our Help @ Hand scheme giving you access to virtual GP’s, Mental Health support and much more.
• Discounts; exclusive discounts across our product range.
• Family leave; Enhanced Maternity, Paternity and Adoption leave.
• Making a difference; 2 fully paid days a year to donate your time to any charity of your choice.
• On site perks; start your day with free on site parking, grabbing a complimentary breakfast and a coffee at our subsidised Starbucks!

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Engineering and Information Technology

Industries

• Retail

To see all our benefits and perks, visit our AO Benefits page.