SAP Architect

As part of the wider Business Led and Technology Enabled digital transformation, Business Services function, within QinetiQ, is looking to establish an SAP CoE (Centre of Excellence) to define, own and support future state corporate systems - primarily focused on SAP estate globally. SAP (experienced) Enterprise Architect is a brand-new role, to support organisation's expansion and strategic initiatives (e.g. GIBSS) by developing QinetiQ's back office (SAP ERP) architecture. Working closely with suppliers, partners and internal teams - especially EA function of Group IT: monitor, manage, and ensure continuous improvement of QinetiQ's Enterprise Architecture, based on industry best practice, to deliver highly-available solutions efficiently and effectively. Effectively use QinetiQ's various external partners to add external independent guidance to support the Architecture Roadmap Reporting to Head of Business Change and working with GIBSS team, Group IT, systems integrators and other partners and the individual functional owners and stakeholders: 1) Contribute to 5 year Enterprise Business Architecture Roadmap in the context of business applications 2) Develop QinetiQ's Future State Business Architecture (Infrastructure, Applications, Processes, Information Governance and Security) ensuring it is flexible and able to support QinetiQ's growth, anticipating required investment to support that growth; and 3) Contribute to developing a robust, available, reliable and resilient IT infrastructure and capable of meeting service delivery goals 4) Support the development of GIBSS' interim and end state architectures and contribute to the detailed design of the interim and end solutions, and interfaces 5) Define KPIs for availability, reliability, customer service, and performance; and to ensure that the architecture in all its aspects is capable of meeting the agreed KPIs 6) Meeting changing business needs quickly and cost effectively. Ensure that SLA's and KPI's are met. Deliver consistent high quality customer service. Key Accountabilities • Alignment of business systems' strategy and planning with company's business goals with strategic responsibility for the SAP systems and services • Define and own the SAP focused architecture roadmap aligned to business objectives • Contributes to required Business Architecture (Infrastructure, Applications, Processes, Information Governance and Security) in collaboration with key stakeholders • Develop and own GIBSS' interim and future state architectures and contribute to design of interim and future solutions, and interfaces; work with Solutions Architect(s) and Business Analysts to sponsor/assure their designs and provide a consensus based solution that is scalable, adaptable and in synchronisation with business needs • Investigate, evaluate and propose the right mix of technologies to provide effective solution to business problems • Articulate and express various solutions in their micro and big picture form to the stakeholders • Validate the designs and implementations following the laid-out principles and able to escalate the same to right stakeholders • Identify and lead optimisation initiatives from time to time • Maintains effective relationships with respective suppliers and other key partners • Develops disaster recovery and business continuity solutions • Maximise use of 3rd party and cloud solutions to deliver scalability and unit priced computing Communication • Assist in the facilitation of team and business meetings. • Deliver informative, well-organised, structured documentation • Deliver output, both oral and written, that is clear and structured • Capable of influencing key personnel to adopt the best solution Supplier Management • Manages suppliers to meet their commitments and SLAs (where appropriate) • Collaborates with supplier's technical staff to develop the most appropriate and effective solutions • Develop effective partnerships with key suppliers Internal Stakeholder Management • Develop relationships with key personnel that foster collaborative working • Continually focus on results and the internal stakeholders' expectations - puts customer's first • Consistently deliver high quality service • Manage expectations effectively. Key Capabilities/Knowledge Enterprise and business architecture development: Captures and prioritises market and environmental trends, business strategies and objectives, and identifies the business benefits of alternative strategies. Establishes the contribution that technology can make to business objectives, conducting feasibility studies, producing high-level business models, and preparing business cases. Leads the creation and review of a systems capability strategy that meets the strategic requirements of the business. Develops enterprise-wide architecture and processes that ensure that the strategic application of change is embedded in the management of the organisation, ensuring the buy-in of all stakeholders. Develops and presents business cases, for high-level initiatives, for approval, funding and prioritisation. Ensures compliance between business strategies, enterprise transformation activities and technology directions, setting strategies, policies, standards and practices Consultancy: Manages provision of consultancy services, and/or management of a team of consultants. In own areas of expertise, provides advice and guidance to consultants and/or the client through involvement in the delivery of consultancy services. Engages with clients and maintains client relationships. Establishes agreements/contracts and manages completion and disengagement Information systems coordination: Maintains an awareness of the global needs of the organisation, and promotes the benefits that a common approach to systems deployment will bring to the business as a whole, among information systems and business management. Coordinates the promotion, development, acquisition and implementation of information systems and services in close liaison with those responsible for management and strategy Emerging technology monitoring: Co-ordinates the identification and assessment of new and emerging technologies, products, methods and techniques. Evaluates likely relevance of these for the organisation. Provides regular briefings to staff and management Shapes strategic thinking: Understands the organisation's objectives and aligns operational activities accordingly. Considers the ramifications of issues and longer-term impact of own work and work area. Achieves results: Values specialist expertise and capitalises on the expert knowledge and skills of others. Contributes own expertise to achieve outcomes for the business unit. Cultivates productive working relationships: Involves people, encourages their contribution. Consults and shares information and ensures others are kept informed of issues. Works collaboratively and operates as an effective team member. Exemplifies personal drive and integrity: Adopts a principled approach and adheres to QinetiQ values and Code of Conduct. Acts professionally at all times and operates within the boundaries of organisational processes and legal and public policy constraints. Operates as an effective representative of the organisation in public and internal forums. Communicates with influence: Seeks to understand the audience and tailors communication style and message accordingly. Listens carefully to others and checks to ensure their views have been understood. Checks own understanding of others' comments and do not allow misunderstandings to linger. Experience & Qualifications • Preferably Degree qualified or equivalent experience • Strong experience as an Enterprise Architect or Principal/Senior Solutions Architect • Ideally TOGAF or Zachman certified • Strong ERP knowledge, ideally SAP ECC6 and/or SAP S/4 HANA • Experience of leading a business' technical architecture to a subscription based ERP • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal. • Extensive experience in managing the design of secure solutions in a complex IT environment • Understanding of Back Office processes knowledge including Finance, Assets, Procurement, etc. • Minimum of BPSS security clearance will be required, capability to achieve SC is desirable