SAP Solution Architect

Our Technology team is looking for an experienced SAP Solution Architect to join us permanently in our London office. This role is offered on a hybrid working basis (2 days per week in the office).

In this key role, you'll translate complex business needs into smart, scalable solutions; creating the blueprint for how we solve problems across our business. Working closely with both our SAP Functional and Technical teams, you'll design and guide end-to-end processes that keep our systems robust, sustainable, and aligned with our overall enterprise architecture.

As part of our ERP Centre of Excellence, you'll act as a trusted expert and collaborator, connecting with teams across the business to shape the future of our SAP landscape. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on partnership, brings clarity to complexity, and enjoys turning technology into something that truly enables people to do their best work.

About the team

The Technology team provides expertise and effective solutions to Penguin Random House. We integrate flexibility and agility which supports our consistent way of working. We set ourselves up for success by holding ourselves accountable and welcoming change. Each member of the Technology team brings skill and initiative to their role; we take personal ownership within a one team culture, working collaboratively to meet expectations from our stakeholders who trust us to deliver.

The role

Key responsibilities:

• Partner with SAP Functional and Technical teams to develop strategies and standards for the SAP and Finance Centre of Excellence.
• Research and understand technical requirements, trends, and strategies for SAP.
• Assess project information to understand the scope, the current IT and business environment, objectives and priorities.
• Define and document the proposed, high-level solution.
• Work with the Technical Architects to analyse technical risks and advise on risk mitigation strategies.
• Work with the Project Manager, Functional Analyst and Business Analyst to develop a high-level project schedule, resource plan for projects, and project costs.
• Responsible for the solution architecture and design.
• Accountable for the solution as specified (by requirements and architecture).
• Analyse available assets (frameworks, reference architectures, etc) to bridge the gap between the as-is architecture and the to-be architecture.
• Evaluate non-functional requirements for testability and technical acceptance criteria.
• Create high-level models that guide solution architecture. Including component, data-flow, data, deployment and integration viewpoints.
• Create transitional architecture views as part of solution design.
• Define and document the actions needed to close solution gaps in support of business objectives.
• Participate in reviews of the designs, prototypes and other technical deliverables to ensure they fulfil requirements and meet standards.
• Collaborate and partner with Project Leadership and teams, Developers, and Enterprise Architecture to ensure the best possible architecture is implemented.
• Keep up to date with current technology and trends that may be of use/benefit to Penguin Random House.

What you'll bring

Essential criteria:

• Knowledge of Application architecture, Design methodologies across multiple platforms.
• Deep functional expertise in one or more of the following: S&L, FICO, Procurement, BTP, Integration across modules with non-SAP systems.
• Experience working in complex and highly integrated application environments.
• Strong understanding of back office business processes including Customer Services, Credit Services, Accounts Payable, and core Finance.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (facilitation, negotiation, conflict resolution) at all levels.
• Ability to translate architecture ideas/designs to multiple audiences, including Executives.
• Thorough understanding of and experience with multiple SDLC methods.
• Awareness of SAP best practices.
• Experience of architecture and solution designing for end to end business processes.
• Team player with a proven ability to work effectively within a large, matrixed organisation.
• Ability to communicate trade-offs and transactional states with technical and business teams.

Preferred criteria:

• Previous experience in a SAP Development role would be highly advantageous.
• Relevant certificates such as TOGAF, SAP Certificates (Solution Architect and other SAP Streams etc). 
• Be capable of making strategic business decisions, considering relevant risks, long term implications, commercial realities and manage stakeholder needs.
• Ability to quickly assimilate complex information and use judgement to draw conclusions and make recommendations.

Application instructions

Please apply with your CV by 23:59 on Sunday 30th November.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the advert may close at any time. We would encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Please note we are looking for someone to join the team as soon as possible, but we are also happy to accommodate a reasonable notice period for the right candidate.

Here at Penguin, we believe in the power of authenticity and human creativity. When you apply for a position, we want to encourage you to showcase your unique voice. Throughout our recruitment process, please share your own thoughts, experiences, and skills. This helps us get a true sense of who you are and what you might bring to our team.

We celebrate creativity and diverse perspectives, so please be yourself While we recognise AI tools can be helpful, we recommend using them thoughtfully to ensure your responses reflect you.

Salary

The salary for this opportunity is c.£85,000, depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus a generous bonus scheme and benefits.

Hybrid working

While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we expect that you will work from the Embassy Gardens office in London 2 days per week, with a willingness to travel to our site in Frating, Colchester on occasion.

The recruitment process: You can read about our recruitment process at

As a Disability Confident Committed organisation, we're part of the offer an interview scheme. This is where disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role can opt in to get to the next recruitment stage. There may be some situations where volume of applicants means we can't take all eligible candidates to interview.

We encourage you to tell us about any reasonable adjustments you may need by emailing  Remember, you only need to share what you are comfortable to for us to support your request.

Please note, we are not able to accept agency CVs for this role. Any CVs sent speculatively will not be eligible for a fee.

 Company: The Random House Group Limited | Job ID: 283492