Program Architect

Position Overview

As the Programme Architect, you will serve as the principal client-side technical authority operating at the critical intersection of our client’s largest transformation initiatives:

• A comprehensive Point-of-Sale (POS) and retail back-office overhaul
• A major enterprise wide ERP modernisation
• The deployment of next-generation Payroll and Workforce Management systems

Sitting within the core Architecture practice, this role leads the Common Design Phase a structured, high impact window before independent stream delivery begins. Your mandate is to establish the binding integration patterns, cross programme data architectures, master data strategies, and end-to-end process designs that will allow multiple independent delivery streams to build and deploy simultaneously without friction, conflict, or downstream technical debt.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture & Intersectional Design

• Unified Strategy: Lead the development of consolidated current-state and target-state architectures spanning application, integration, data, and process layers across all core programs.
• Integration Frameworks: Define the enterprise integration fabric, establishing API contracts, event-driven architecture, and real-time data flows, alongside the transition and coexistence mechanics required to decouple parallel workstreams.
• Data & MDM Blueprint: Formulate the overarching enterprise data architecture, master data management (MDM) strategy, and single-source-of-truth frameworks across shared domains.
• End-to-End Processes: Map and design intersecting business processes, determining exactly how workflows will seamlessly operate across the modernised technology landscape.
• Coexistence Planning: Architect transitionary phases and legacy-to-modern coexistence strategies (e.g., managing the bridge between incumbent retail/ERP estates and new platforms) to allow independent release schedules.

Governance & Cross-Programme Orchestration

• Phase Leadership: Drive the Common Design phase to deliver clear, binding cross-programme architectural decisions and alignment maps within the established timeline.
• Boundary Definition: Establish explicit domain, scope, and ownership boundaries between streams, actively identifying and resolving any functional gaps or "orphan" scopes.
• Sequencing Analysis: Provide data-backed portfolio sequencing recommendations to the Design Authority, evaluating integration complexity, transition overheads, and change impacts.
• Design Authority Leadership: Surface, frame, and steer the resolution of critical cross-programme design decisions, maintaining a comprehensive architectural decision log.
• Shared Functions & Interdependencies: Define the architectural approach for overlapping environments, release schedules, and testing frameworks, acts as the escalation point for intersectional technical risks.

Candidate Profile

Essential Experience

• Scale & Seniority: Circa 12+ years of experience in enterprise or solution architecture, featuring a proven track record as a lead or principal client-side architect on complex, multi-stream enterprise transformations.
• Advanced Integration: Deep expertise in API-led and event-driven architecture, real-time data streaming, and hands-on experience navigating enterprise integration platforms (e.g., SAP Integration Suite, IBM App Connect, or market equivalents) to modernise legacy environments.
• Enterprise Data & Process Design: Strong mastery of target-state data modelling, MDM strategies, cloud data platforms (e.g., Snowflake), and cross-functional business process design spanning multiple complex applications.
• Decoupling & Coexistence: Proven ability to define domain boundaries, transition states, and architectural contracts that allow parallel programmes to build and deploy independently.
• Packaged Application Ecosystems: Technical depth across major ERP platforms (such as SAP S/4HANA or ECC) and enterprise retail POS ecosystems.
• Governance & Influence: Demonstrated experience operating within formal technical design authorities and governing major Systems Integrators, paired with the communication skills required to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical executive stakeholders.
• Experience operating within heavily regulated, multi-brand environments such as wholesale, retail, pharmacy, or healthcare.
• Familiarity with major retail POS, store, or dispensary technologies (e.g., NCR/Voyix or similar).

At Randstad, we are passionate about providing equal employment opportunities and embracing diversity to the benefit of all. We actively encourage applications from any background.