Two Circles is a leading sports marketing agency that helps sports organizations improve customer experience, increase revenue, and enhance their partner proposition. We work with top sports organisations such as the NFL, Premier League, UEFA, Wimbledon, and Formula 1. With a team of over 600 professionals across three global regions and eight global offices, we are dedicated to connecting fans with sport properties using data-driven solutions.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Solution Architect to join our dynamic consultancy team. As a Senior Solution Architect, you will play a pivotal role in driving digital transformation initiatives for our clients. You will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of innovative solutions, leveraging your expertise in technology, architecture, and business strategy. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in solution architecture, strong client-facing skills, and a passion for delivering value through digital innovation.

This will be a 6 month contract.

Requirements

• Client Engagement: Engage with clients to understand their business objectives, challenges, and technology requirements. Collaborate with stakeholders to define project scope, goals, and success criteria. Build and maintain strong client relationships through effective communication and delivery excellence.
• Solution Design: Lead the design and development of end-to-end solutions that address client needs and align with business goals. Develop architectural blueprints, reference architectures, and technical specifications. Ensure solutions are scalable, resilient, and future-proof, leveraging industry best practices and emerging technologies.
• Data Architecture: Design and implement robust data architectures that support the collection, storage, processing, and analysis of data from various sources. Ensure data integrity, quality, and governance across the data ecosystem including usage within AI/ML models .
• Technology Assessment: Evaluate client's existing systems, infrastructure, and processes to identify opportunities for improvement and optimization. Assess technology trends, platforms, and tools to recommend innovative solutions that drive business value and competitive advantage.
• Architecture Governance: Establish architecture governance frameworks and best practices to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance across client projects. Define standards, guidelines, and templates for solution architecture artifacts, reviews, and approvals.
• Scalability and Performance: Design highly scalable and performant architectures that can handle spikes in demand and deliver optimal user experiences under varying workloads.
• Security and Compliance: Implement robust security controls and compliance measures to protect sensitive assets and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, industry standards, and best practices. Including the  ethical use of AI technologies and transparency in algorithmic decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaborate with cross-functional teams including developers, engineers, data scientists, business analysts, and project managers to translate architectural designs into actionable plans and deliverables. Foster a culture of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks, issues, and dependencies associated with solution architecture and project delivery. Develop risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans to address challenges and ensure project success.
• Client Education: Educate clients on the benefits, implications, and trade-offs of different architectural options and technology decisions. Provide guidance and recommendations to help clients make informed choices that align with their strategic objectives and budget constraints.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct architecture reviews, code reviews, and quality assurance checks to ensure adherence to architectural principles, design patterns, and coding standards. Monitor project progress and performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and optimization.

Skills we'd love to see:

• Proven experience (8+ years) as a Solution Architect, Technical Lead, or Consultant, preferably in a digital consultancy or professional services environment.
• Strong expertise in solution architecture principles, patterns, and practices, with experience designing and delivering complex, enterprise-scale solutions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and creatively to solve complex business challenges.
• Proficiency in a wide range of technologies and platforms, including cloud computing, software development frameworks, data analytics, AI/ML and Martech.
• Excellent understanding of software development methodologies, DevOps practices, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Excellent client-facing skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels of the organization. Experience in leading workshops, presentations, and executive briefings.
• Leadership qualities, including the ability to inspire and motivate cross-functional teams, drive consensus, and lead change in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Nice to Have's:

• Relevant certifications such as TOGAF, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, or Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Understanding of machine learning algorithms, statistical modeling techniques, and data mining concepts.
• Proficiency in cloud-based AI services, such as Amazon SageMaker, Azure Machine Learning, or Google AI Platform.
• Understanding of data architecture principles, database technologies (SQL, NoSQL), customer data platforms (CDPs),  data modeling, ETL processes, and data warehousing concepts.
• Experience with marketing analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics), business intelligence tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI), and data visualization techniques.
• Knowledge of marketing automation platforms (e.g. Braze, Iterable, insider )