Senior Manager - Solution Architect

ABOUT SQUARCLE / THE TEAM

Squarcle is a growing strategy, operations and digital consultancy dedicated to driving the performance of our clients. We are people-orientated and pride ourselves on our people-first culture. Unlike many consultancies, Squarcle is as equally dedicated to delivery as it is to design. 

The Digital Capability is responsible for providing expert technology and digitisation strategy and design, operational optimisation, and analysis advice to clients operating within a fast-moving global environment. The holistic architecture team comprises Subject Matter Experts (Enterprise, Solution, Business, and Technical Architects) who work to deliver the client and internal Squarcle mandate. Working together but often independently, each team member will be expected to work onsite and remotely with the client on complex, enterprise-scale technology challenges.

Squarcle is committed to equality and diversity, and our aim is to build a diverse, dedicated, and high-performing team of subject matter experts to help our clients achieve resilient supply chain, asset management, and operational excellence.

JOB OVERVIEW / INTRODUCTION

We are seeking a Senior Manager Solution Architect to play a critical leadership role within the Digital Capability. Reporting directly to the Chief Enterprise Architect, you will act as a senior technical authority and trusted advisor, helping to lead the holistic architectural capability across the business. You will be responsible for overseeing multiple complex client engagements and the provision of independent expert advice to help identify and solve technical challenges, increase value, and maximise business efficiency and profitability.

Using established processes, whilst working with the client's senior leadership and support staff, you will assist in the creation of digital strategies, process optimisation, and identifying technology solutions to meet client needs. As a Senior Manager, you will not only design and govern enterprise-grade solutions across various industries and sectors, but you will also lead and mentor a team of manager level consultants and below.

You will also play a pivotal role in practice development - assisting the Chief Enterprise Architect in building Squarcle's multi-disciplined architecture capability, driving business development, leading pre-sales architecture, and shaping Squarcle's internal product and thought-leadership offerings.

Squarcle consultants work across project delivery, business development, and product development:

• Delivery: Squarcle consultants work to supply solutions to the client’s changing business needs. The scope of engagements is highly variable and can include core strategy development, large-scale implementation, process optimisation, change management, data analysis, data modelling, solution development, and innovative technology introduction.
• Business development: Squarcle places an emphasis on leading sector thinking in the development of the latest ideas. This can include producing white papers and internal research on relevant changes occurring in the sector and the impact on the general economy.
• Product Development. Squarcle is passionate about investing in and developing its own products. This can include conceptualising, designing, and creating cutting-edge products that align with the business's strategic vision, meet customer needs, and drive sustainable growth in the market.

Consultants will have the opportunity to work across four broad subject areas:

• Strategy: Strategy consultants provide clients with guidance in various spheres of business, including corporate strategy, business transformation, and digital and innovation capabilities.
• Operations: Operations consultants provide clients with guidance about business process optimisations to improve operational business capabilities.
• Data and Digital: Data and digital consultants specify and implement technological, data and digital solutions with the client to realise the value of their data.
• Human Capital: Human capital consultants provide clients with solutions for change management and aide with any organisational changes that may affect the employees.

PRIMARY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Primary and secondary duties can be viewed as interchangeable because they are both roles or responsibilities within a particular context, and their importance or priority can vary depending on the circumstances or perspectives involved. The interchangeability of primary and secondary duties acknowledges that roles and responsibilities are not fixed, but can adapt to the ever-changing demands of various situations. This perspective encourages flexibility, adaptability, and a more holistic approach to fulfilling responsibilities.

Primary Duties of the Senior Manager – Solution Architect are to:

• Portfolio & Engagement Leadership: Oversee architectural delivery across multiple concurrent client engagements. Act as the primary technical escalation point for manager level consultants and below.
• Strategic & Solution Architecture Design: Develop and implement holistic technical and enterprise architectures that meet complex business needs, ensure interoperability, and adhere to TOGAF standards. This includes designing scalable data architectures, data models, schemas, and API integrations for real-time and batch processing.
• Senior Leadership Advisory & Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with client executives, product managers, and business stakeholders to translate strategic business visions and requirements into robust, cost-effective technical roadmaps.
• Practice Building & Capability Development: Assist the Chief Enterprise Architect and Head of Digital in developing Squarcle’s digital capabilities and maturing the holistic architectural team (spanning EAs, SAs, BAs, and TAs).
• Governance, Standards & Security: Define and enforce technical governance. Design secure architectures based on relevant Security Architecture principles, e.g. TOGAF. Ensure all solutions comply with enterprise policies, security, data protection, and relevant government standards (e.g., GDS, DDAT).
• Business Development & Innovation: Actively participate in pre-sales, bid writing, and technical proposal development. Stay abreast of emerging technologies, design patterns, and best practices to continuously improve and innovate solutions.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Line manage, mentor, and conduct performance reviews for manager level consultants and below. Share knowledge on emerging technologies and cultivate an inclusive, high-performing team culture.
• Risk Management & System Integration: Identify potential technical risks and design mitigation strategies across portfolios. Oversee integration between various systems and platforms, ensuring compatibility, security, and efficiency.
• Documentation & Communication: Produce clear, comprehensive technical documentation and communicate architecture decisions effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

SECONDARY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Secondary Duties of the Senior Manager – Solution Architect are:

• Deputise for Leadership: Deputise for the Chief Enterprise Architect and Manager across client delivery, internal governance boards, and management meetings during periods of absence.
• Thought Leadership: Produce white papers and lead internal research on emerging technologies, ERP trends, and supply chain resilience to elevate Squarcle's market positioning.
• Continuous Improvement: Commit to continuous development by supporting the organisation of team events, leading training sessions, and actively driving recruitment for the architecture capability.
• Other Duties: Carry out other duties as specified by the Director.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

• TOGAF Certification & Architecture Frameworks: Extensive proven experience applying architecture frameworks (Business, Data, Application, Security, and Technology) aligned to TOGAF's ADM phases to solve business problems and create scalable, efficient solutions.
• Senior Delivery Experience: A proven track record of operating at a Senior Manager/Lead Architect level, overseeing multiple project teams and managing multi-million-pound technology transformations.
• Supply Chain Acumen: Deep understanding and consultative experience designing resilient, modern supply chain architectures.
• Cloud Architecture: Extensive experience with cloud platforms (Azure primarily, AWS, GCP) and the design of scalable, secure, cloud-native architectures.
• Executive Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills (written and verbal) with the proven ability to translate complex technical paradigms to non-technical executives and influence strategic decision-making.
• Governance & Assurance: Strong understanding of architecture governance processes, design authorities, and compliance standards aligned with DDAT and GDS.
• Agile/DevOps Leadership: Experience embedding architectural governance within scaled Agile and DevOps delivery environments to align architecture with delivery roadmaps.
• Leadership & Mentoring: Demonstrable experience line-managing senior consultants, building multi-disciplinary inclusive teams, and conducting formal performance appraisals.
• Security & Risk Management: In-depth understanding of secure system design, encryption, authentication, and strong risk identification/mitigation skills utilising industry-standard risk management methodologies.
• Data & Analysis: Strong data modelling and analysis skills.

DESIRABLE

• Asset Management Expertise: Experience with enterprise Asset Management systems and principles (e.g., alignment with the Institute of Asset Management standards).
• ERP Acumen: Deep, holistic understanding of major ERP ecosystems (e.g., IFS, SAP S/4HANA, Oracle).
• Public Sector / Defence Experience: Familiarity with UK MOD frameworks, practical experience leading public sector digital transformations, Government Digital Service (GDS) service design principles, and DDAT capability frameworks.
• Advanced Certifications: Cloud provider architectural certifications (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect Expert, AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional) or additional frameworks like ITIL or COBIT to complement TOGAF experience.
• Microservices Design: Experience in designing microservices-based architectures and APIs, aligning with Application Architecture principles for modular and scalable systems.
• Obsolescence Management: Understanding of technology obsolescence management within large-scale, long-lifecycle estates.

What we offer

We believe great work deserves great rewards. Here’s what you can expect as part of the team:

• Generous leave package
  • 26 days of annual leave (including your birthday!) plus UK bank holidays - increasing to 27 days after three years, and 28 after seven years
  • You’ll also get five extra days for your five and 10-year anniversaries
  • Additional leave for members of the Reserve Forces and CFAV.
• Private medical insurance
  • Provided once you’ve completed your probation.
• Recognition and rewards
  • £1,000 referral bonus for successful hires
  • Performance-related awards
  • Milestone and life-event hampers to celebrate life’s big moments
• Development & learning
  • Annual training week abroad
  • Funding for qualifications that benefit both you and the business
• Travel & wellbeing
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Discounted travel through funded railcards
• Pension
  • Our pension provider is NOW Pensions, pension contributions are 3% employer and 5% employee

We review our benefits regularly to ensure they stay competitive and meaningful - so this list may evolve as we grow.

Our working hours are 8:30 am – 5:30 pm (with an hour for lunch), Monday – Friday.

Apply now and take the next step toward doing work that matters, with a team that’s shaping the future of supply chain consulting.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 6 months. If you hold dual citizenship or nationality from another country, please make us aware of this during the application phase. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship.

Privacy Policy - Squarcle Consulting Ltd

We’re committed to creating a diverse environment. We embrace differences and hire based on merit, giving equal consideration to all applications, regardless of gender, background, and race.