Lead Software Architect
Location: London, UK (Hybrid - 2 days per week in office)
Start Date: ASAP
Salary: £110,000 - £120,000
About the Role
We are seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Lead Software Architect to join our dynamic team, driving the architectural vision for two major projects: a replatforming initiative and a CRM/CDP implementation. This role will play a pivotal part in shaping our technology landscape, ensuring best practices, and delivering critical projects with a go-live planned for next year.
You will work closely with cross-functional teams, manage third-party agencies, and document complex systems while bridging knowledge gaps in a fast-paced e-commerce environment. The successful candidate will be a team player with strong technical expertise, excellent stakeholder management skills, and a commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive team culture.
Key Responsibilities
- Architecture Design & Documentation: Lead the design and documentation of our current and future architecture, addressing legacy gaps and creating clear, detailed artefacts.
- Major Projects:
- Replatforming Project: Oversee the migration from a headless CMS stack to Aloki and Contempor, collaborating with agency partners to ensure seamless integration.
- CRM/CDP Project: Provide architectural input, manage third-party contributions, and ensure best practices in system design and implementation.
- Code Analysis: Dive into the codebase to understand system intricacies, address knowledge gaps, and ensure robust solutions.
- Stakeholder Management: Engage with business stakeholders to gather requirements, define needs (e.g., CDP specifications), and guide decision-making.
- Third-Party Collaboration: Challenge and validate agency inputs/outputs to maintain high architectural standards.
- Team Collaboration: Act as a collaborative team player, championing best practices while fostering a positive, inclusive environment.
What We’re Looking For
- Experience:
- Proven e-commerce experience, with a deep understanding of architectural integration in retail or e-commerce contexts.
- Strong ability to articulate architectural decisions, including pros, cons, and rationale for chosen approaches.
- Experience working with third-party agencies and managing complex, cross-functional projects.
- Technical Skills:
- Comfortable digging into code to uncover system intricacies and bridge knowledge gaps.
- Broad understanding of e-commerce technologies (e.g., ERP systems, commerce engines like Magento, front-end technologies). Specific stack experience is not mandatory.
- Ability to document and design complex architectures with clarity and precision.
- Soft Skills:
- Exceptional team player with no ego, able to absorb knowledge and collaborate effectively without causing friction.
- Strong stakeholder management and requirements-gathering skills, with the ability to guide business decisions.
- Cultural compatibility is critical—candidates must demonstrate humility, inclusivity, and a commitment to positive team dynamics.
- Availability: Ability to start ASAP to support a smooth handover and meet project timelines (delivery by December, go-live next year).
Working Arrangements
- Hybrid Role: 2 days per week in our London office, with flexibility based on candidate needs and company arrangements.
- Project Timeline: Immediate start to support critical project delivery by December, with go-live planned for next year.
Recruitment Process
- CV Review: Submit your CV for initial screening.
- Phone Chat: 30-minute call with the Head of Architecture.
- Technical Exercise: Complete a practical technical exercise.
- Technical Interview: 1.5-hour discussion on your experience and the technical exercise.
- Cultural Chat: 1-hour interview to assess cultural fit and team alignment.
- Final Chat: 30-minute conversation with the CTO.
Why Join Us?
- Work on high-impact, transformative projects in a dynamic e-commerce environment.
- Collaborate with a passionate, inclusive team dedicated to innovation and excellence.
- Flexible hybrid working model with opportunities to shape our architectural future.
