Platform Architect

About the role: The Business Platform Architect for Field Services owns the definition, governance, and roadmap for the platform requirements specific for Thames Water that provide support to our Field Service teams. Thames Water is looking for a highly experienced and capable architect with extensive experience of Field Service solution from within similar size, scale and complexity as Thames Water ideally a utility organisation. Our Field Service Platform enables us to respond to the predictive and reactive needs of our core Water and Waste Assets. Managing the Co-ordination, Scheduling, and Recording of activities and Field Service teams. This role will work closely with our Asset Architect to provide solutions for staff in mobile and field-based roles including the capabilities to intelligently schedule and manage work on a proactive and reactive basis. The Business Platform Architect for Field Services is the overall end to end solution owner of the applications, systems, and platform for enterprise-wide requirements and manages the technical relationship with suppliers. The Business Platform Architect works across multiple programmes and projects to ensure business change is delivered in a coordinated and efficient way with the successful delivery of technology initiatives. The Business Platform Architect for Field Services needs to have experience in Enterprise Field solutions ideally Salesforce, Click Software, SAP and/or Microsoft Field-based solutions. Additionally, the Platform Architect will have a strong development background in App-based solutions and microservices design principles where we may choose augment and/or integrate COTS-based solutions with internally developed applications. Key Accountabilities: Technology Strategy & Roadmap Responsible for defining the Technology Roadmap and Reference Architectures for the Field Services requirements and the overall Technology Strategy for these. Identify opportunities and drive the reduction of TCO across the Field Services areas. Define and govern capacity and financial forecasts across the domain for Base Case initiatives to ensure long term financial planning aligns with the technology roadmaps. Governance & Design Authority Inform and influence technical decisions made at governance boards and design authorities. Perform Architecture Impact Assessments for technology within the domain, to help size and shape ideas and initiatives and an early stage. Ensure roadmaps provide specified levels of software versions across the domain. Assure throughout the project delivery lifecycle that individual solutions are fit for purpose in their application of technology and align with the overall strategy. Contribute to the definition of Architecture Principles and Policies. Define Standards and Patterns applicable to the domain. Technical Owner Expert for the evolution of systems and platforms within Field Services. Understand the business, operational and technical context. Manages the architectural relationship with domain suppliers and provide guidance on the technical direction for the domain. Attend Service Reviews. Provide points of view on specific topics Working within Agile based programmes to oversee the development and delivery of Products. Leadership Demonstrate thought leadership on specific topics and promote knowledge sharing across the architecture community. Collaborate with other Platform Architects to ensure the overall integrity of domain roadmaps. Understand industry best practices and engage. with strategic partners to align capabilities and influence product roadmaps. Mentoring and supporting other members of the CTO organisation and the wider architecture community. To be successful you will have the following skills and experience: Preferred educated to degree level. Knowledge & experience in Field solutions (Salesforce, Dynamics); Scheduling solutions (ideally Click Schedule); Mobile applications (development and deployment); Asset management within SAP. Significant experience as a Technical, Product, Solution Architect or System Design Authority. Strong knowledge of architecture methodologies, principles, and frameworks, ideally TOGAF. Preferred previous experience within the utility industry or large, complex enterprises. Practical experience of defining technology domain roadmaps. Experience in working with 3rd party delivery partners Has excellent interpersonal skills and is fully experienced in dealing with stakeholders. Proficient and effective communicator. Experience of different IT delivery approaches (waterfall, agile, lean…). What’s in it for you? Our competitive salary and package include a competitive bonus (up to 20%), car allowance, private healthcare, an excellent contributory pension and 26 days holiday. There is also a wider benefits scheme which includes an annual pay review, season ticket loans and loyalty awards for continuous service plus discounts at a wide range of retailers via Benefits on Taps. We’re proud to be here for our local community, offering all of our teams two days paid volunteer leave a year, as well as proudly supporting a lot of local events and charities. About us: Thames Water is the UK’s largest water and wastewater company. We make a daily difference to millions of customers by supplying 2.7 billion litres of world-class water to around 10 million homes. As our world changes, the need to take care of our most precious resource is greater than ever, both locally and globally. That’s why, at Thames Water, every one of our actions, big and small, matters every day. Water is essential to daily life, and that means our business is always open. We’re passionate about providing world-class tap water, now and for the future. We’re also turning waste into power, self-generating 20% of the energy we use and, in turn, doing our bit for the planet. We’re reducing plastic waste by celebrating our tap water and rolling out an ambitious water fountain project. We’re using our voice to lobby for change and partnering with WaterAid to provide clean water to the world’s poorest communities. Together, we’re building a better future for our customers, our region and our planet. Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work. If you join our team, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and unparalleled benefits. We’re also proud to be an equal opportunity employer, Stonewall Diversity Champion and Disability Confident Leader, welcoming individuals from all walks of life and leading the way with award-winning mental health and well-being strategy. This job was originally posted as www.totaljobs.com/job/89940215