Solution Architect Team Manager

We're looking for an experienced Solution Architect Team Manager to join our award-winning Technology team on a permanent basis and play a pivotal role in shaping the technology solutions that support one of the UK's largest hospitality businesses. Leading a team of Solution Architects, you'll ensure technology solutions are designed to deliver business value while balancing security, risk, cost, supportability and long-term strategic fit. As both a people leader and hands-on architect, you'll be responsible for ensuring architecture resources are prioritised against the initiatives that matter most to Mitchells & Butlers. Working closely with Enterprise Architecture, Information Security and delivery teams, you'll provide direction, challenge and governance to ensure solutions align with our technology standards, architecture principles and commercial objectives. You'll help shape the future technology landscape at M&B, developing architecture roadmaps that support business growth, simplify our IT estate and manage technology lifecycles effectively. Alongside leading the function, you'll remain actively involved in solution design, using your expertise to identify and recommend technologies that deliver the right balance of value, resilience and operational sustainability. This is a fantastic opportunity to build and develop a high-performing team, fostering a collaborative and problem-solving culture while creating clear development and progression opportunities for your architects. The role holder will also take ownership of solution architecture activity on key projects and programmes, providing both strategic leadership and hands-on architectural expertise.,

• Perform a dual role of Lead Solution Architect and Solution Architecture Team Manager.
• Lead, coach and develop the Solution Architecture team.
• Build and maintain career development and progression plans for direct reports.
• Proactively manage architecture resource allocation across projects, programmes, strategic initiatives and options papers.
• Act as the point of escalation for Solution Architects and projects where a Solution Architect is assigned.
• Chair and facilitate Design Forum activities, promoting constructive challenge and continuous improvement.
• Lead the evaluation, selection and recommendation of solution options to support business requirements.
• Present architecture recommendations, risks, assumptions and exceptions to Architecture Governance forums.
• Assure solution designs against security, resilience, supportability, integration, service, operational and licensing requirements.
• Work with suppliers and internal stakeholders to develop technology roadmaps and understand emerging capabilities.
• Maintain awareness of market trends, suppliers and technology developments relevant to M&B.
• Identify opportunities to rationalise, modernise or decommission legacy systems.
• Maintain current-state architecture documentation across application, data, infrastructure and licensing domains.
  
  Strong stakeholder management, communication and relationship building skills
• Communicate architecture decisions effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrable understanding of architecture methodologies
• ITIL foundation - Appreciation of ITIL and Service Design techniques - Desirable
• Demonstrable experience of working within an Agile environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to influence key stakeholders and work together to make change happen
• Knowledge and understanding of corporate policy and business strategy
• The ability to produce, manipulate, implement or enhance all architecture concepts, roadmaps, principles or effective strategies
• The ability to think laterally and constructively question established processes
• Ability to work in a fast paced environment and handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Proven experience of managing third party companies
Key Experience
• Solution Architecture, Architecture Management or Technology Leadership roles within complex organisations.
• Leading, developing and managing Solution Architects and technical architecture teams.
• Defining, governing and assuring end-to-end solution architectures across multiple technology domains.
• Operating architecture governance, design authorities, assurance processes, standards and exception management.
• Maintaining architecture documentation, decision records and governance artefacts within complex technology estates., IT based degree or equivalent
• Five years experience in a similar architecture role
• Solution's Architecture certification
  
  At M&B we value the unique perspectives each person brings. We believe that by fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and allyship, we create a sense of belonging, engagement and teamwork which are essential to delivering great guest experiences.
Join us and be a part of a great team!

Salary Competitive Salary 1. Hours Full Time,
• 33% discount across all M&B brands.
• 20% Friends & Family discount for up to five people.
• Annual bonus scheme.
• Option to buy up to two additional weeks of holiday.
• Matched pension contributions (up to 1.5x your contribution).
• Private healthcare and dental plan.
• Cycle to Work and wellbeing schemes.
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Hybrid working and flexible approach.