Head of Solution Architecture & Design

Head of Solution Architecture & Design ISS

Location - UK

Subject to Consultation

About the role

The Head of Solution Architecture & Design acts as the design authority for DS Smiths IT landscape ensuring all solutions infrastructure and security architectures follow one coherent blueprint.

This role balances innovation with standardisation ensuring every technology decision aligns with DS Smiths Target Operating Model and long-term transformation goals. The function enables DS Smith to scale securely and efficiently by connecting enterprise architecture principles to practical delivery.

Key responsibilities for the Head of Solution Architecture & Design are:

Design Authority Leadership

• Serve as the solution design authority for DS Smiths Infrastructure & Security projects and transformation programmes.

• Define andmaintainarchitectural standards guardrails and reference models that ensure consistency across domains.

• RepresentIS&S at the TechnicalDesign Authority Board providing governance and oversight across all infrastructure solution designs.

Architecture Integration & Alignment

• Lead a federated team of domain architects spanning Infrastructure Workplace and Security disciplines.

• Ensure architectural alignment between IT OT and business systems to deliver an integrated enterprise design.

• Drive coherence across network hosting workplace and security architectures to enable standardisation and reuse.

Roadmaps & Platform Evolution

• Develop andmaintainmulti-year technology roadmaps covering infrastructure security and digital workplace platforms.

• Partner with product and service owners to align investment priorities with architectural direction.

• Influence strategic vendor roadmaps to ensure compatibility and long-term sustainability of DS Smiths platforms.

Solution Design & Assurance

• Oversee the creation and approval of High-Level Designs (HLDs) for projects and initiatives.

• Ensure all designscomply witharchitecture principles information security requirements and operational support models.

• Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure solutions are built right first time and remain maintainable in operation.

Governance & Standards

• Own the solution architecture governance framework and ensure adherence through stage-gate and design review processes.

• Partner with Enterprise Architecture and PMO to ensure solution design supports both business capability needs and cost efficiency.

• Define design patterns and technical standards for re-use across delivery teams.

Collaboration & Cross-functional Partnership

• Partner closely with the Heads of Security Engineering Infrastructure & Core Platforms and Digital Workplace to ensure design translates seamlessly into build.

• Support the Director of Infrastructure Security & Services with technical input into strategic sourcing TOM design and transformation planning.

• Act as the escalation point for architectural issues and risks during project delivery.

Leadership & People Development

• Build and lead a small high-performing team of solution and domain architects

• Foster an open collaborative culture that values pragmatism accountability and innovation.

• Develop internal talent through mentoring certification support and exposure to transformation programmes

About you

• Proven experience leading multi-domain architecture teams in a complex enterprise or shared services environment.

• Strong understanding of infrastructure cloud and security architectures and how they interconnect.

• Track recordin defining and governing architecture frameworks across multiple delivery partners.

• Experience leading design assurance for large transformation or integration programmes.

• Deep experience in balancing innovation cost and standardisation through pragmatic architecture.

• Strong grasp of architectural frameworks (TOGAF SABSA ITIL alignment).

• Excellent understanding of hybrid infrastructure workplace technologies and cloud architecture principles.

• Strategic communicator able to translate technical architecture into clear business language.

• Skilled in stakeholder engagement and influencing across executive and technical levels.

• Comfortable operating in federated and multi-sourced delivery environments.