Job Description

Head of Architecture and Engineering

FGH Business Centre 66-70 Vicar Ln, Bradford BD1 5AJ

Hybrid flexibility: 2 full office days per week across Tues/Weds/Thurs

This is a senior leadership and management role, reporting directly into our Director of IT


Aligned to the business strategy and vision, FGH is embarking on a major IT and Digital transformation journey to completely modernise the present technology landscape across the organisation. The technology roadmap that will take the company from its current technology environments to a modern, flexible, modular ecosystem, that can take advantage of the latest developments in Cloud, API, Data, SaaS, AI, and automation.


The role covers the full enterprise landscape of FGH, from digital capability to more traditional Warehouse, Enterprise Resource Planning and Support Centre functions. The role will have accountability for the overall architecture governance, working in an agile way to ensure that the "guard rails" are provided so that change teams on the ground can operate with autonomy within a clear strategic direction of travel. The role is primarily about enabling transformation, rather than control.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Working alongside the Director of IT, the Head of Architecture will lead and develop the architecture team for FGH, covering transformation and end state roadmaps, application maturity assessment, integration, and data strategies The role will have a wide enterprise responsibility for the alignment of the infrastructure and platform architecture with the overall enterprise plan Manage and develop architecture principles, tools, and frameworks to ensure FGH technology is managed and nurtured as a series of value-creating ecosystems Provide the big picture view of the technology landscape, guiding solutions and domain architecture Agree effective ways of working with the key business stakeholders and teams to ensure that the change programmes and projects can be agile and autonomous within the wider technology strategy. Manage and govern light touch architectural governance to ensure all solutions align with the global direction of travel and any near-term exceptions have a route back to the core roadmap Determine the core artefacts, ensuring usability and pragmatism are critical guiding principles Issue standards and policies where required to ensure change teams have clarity on strategic approach Lead the architecture team analysis of the current IT environment to detect critical deficiencies and recommend solutions for improvement. Lead the architecture team analysis of technology industry and market trends to determine their potential impact on the enterprise architecture. Promote the architecture process, outcomes, and results to the organisation, including the enterprise's IT and business leaders. Lead the development and management of an implementation plan for the enterprise architecture based on business requirements and IT strategies. Collaborate with the risk, compliance, audit, and security teams to ensure the architecture accommodates the regulatory compliance and cyber security requirements and commitments of the organisation Oversee the documentation of all architecture design and analysis work. Lead the development and execution of a communication and education plan for the architecture. Assess and communicate the value of the architecture and promote and lead the architecture function Engagement of the FGH leadership team on technology enabled change Influencing Partners to ensure FGH technology landscape enables competitive advantage leveraging new technology whilst pushing the boundaries on efficiency and automation

ABOUT YOU

Deep experience of Architecture in a consumer facing environment, spanning both digital and physical technology Great breadth and some depth in SaaS, applications/software; good experience of integration, data, and infrastructure Great experience of both agile and more traditional change delivery. Proven experience in making the architecture role work well in an agile environment Brilliant communications skills, able to explain complex technology concepts clearly to business stakeholders, and to engage in depth with all FGH and IT Partner technologists Exceptional interpersonal skills, including teamwork, facilitation, and negotiation. Willing to take accountability for things, even without line management control of the resources Demonstrable commitment to developing their own professional skillset, keeping at the cutting edge technically and professionally. Experience in working with third parties to get great service provision and value for money on projects Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, systems analysis or a related field of study, or equivalent experience. Strong leadership skills. Excellent analytical and technical skills.

ABOUT US: FGH DIGITAL

For over 100 years, Freemans has been at the forefront of home shopping, delivering quality products and exceptional service. We've accepted the challenge to transform our business into a modern, digital-first retailer.


With a rich heritage and an eye on the future, we are a forward-thinking, tech-driven online retail business, making fabulous fashion and stylish homewares accessible and affordable for everyone.


Based in West Yorkshire and part of the OTTO group one of the world's largest online retail organisations, Freemans Grattan Holdings (FGH) is the home of familiar brands such as Freemans, Grattan, Kaleidoscope, and Curvissa.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

FLEXIBILITY

We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working options to help you achieve a healthy work life balance. Our full time head office colleagues work a minimum of 2 days per week in the office, allowing the perfect balance between collaborative in-person team work and the flexibility to work from home.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Turning your job into a career is a real passion for us and our development programmes will enable you to grow in role.


We offer clear career pathways that will show you the way, outlining the skills, behaviours and knowledge needed to perform at the next step.


We invest in our colleagues, giving them all the opportunity to progress. Our inspired leadership programme is aimed at equipping our future leaders to coach, develop, manage change and maintain situational awareness.

INCLUSIVITY

As a business, we depend on a fusion of identities, characteristics, backgrounds, and cultures to fully appreciate our people and our customers. Freemans has a long-standing commitment to ensuring fairness and balance.


Our company is an inclusive organisation where everybody can make the most of their talent and abilities. Our pay, reward, and progression approach is based solely on fairness and merit.

BENEFITS

We firmly believe that we should reward our brilliant people with extensive benefits to help them stay healthy, relax and re-energise, have fun, manage the day-to-day and plan for the future. Here are just some of our great benefits:

Competitive salaries and annual bonus scheme 37 days holiday Healthcare cash plan Competitive pension scheme Life assurance Paid paternity and maternity leave Incredible staff discounts Subsidised Canteen

Ready to apply?

If you're excited about this opportunity and want to join FGH, click apply now to send us your application.