Mirai Lead Enterprise Architect

Please Note: The deadline for applying is 23.59 the day before the job posting end date. Job Title: Mirai Lead Enterprise Architect Location: Kingston Head Office Work-Level: 2C We need to simplify the Unilever technology landscape by reducing the number of applications. The separation of Ice Cream will remove a layer complexity within the organisation, whilst segmenting our markets will enable standardisation of Business Processes and eliminate further complexity. Furthermore, the end-of-life imperative to upgrade our ERP solution presents the opportunity for a fundamental technology transformation at Unilever. Mirai is the Business Transformation Programme that will deliver a simplified IT estate across both ERP and our core business critical applications. This is needed to fully deliver the ambition set out under the Productivity Programme. There are three key drivers behind the timing for Mirai: Separation of the Ice Cream Business Productivity Programme (savings of €800m over three years), including segmentation into Business Group led (BG-led) & One Unilever (1UL) Markets, & move to Hubs. All four Unilever ERP instances operate on SAP ECC, which is approaching End-Of-Life (EOL) in 2027/30. Mirai is a critical enabler for all of the changes being delivered by the new Operating Model. New and refreshed technology is required to maximise productivity savings from the redesigned organisation and enable the move to standardised processes. JOB PURPOSE The Enterprise Architecture (EA) team partners Unilever Digital and Technology teams to Select technologies and Architects them to fit within the enterprise environment; provides the Enterprise Architecture Standards for IT to work to; works with Unilever IT Vendor partners to understand and drive their future Technology Roadmaps; and maintains the overall Unilever Reference Architecture of all technologies 'as-is' and 'to-be' to support Unilever required business capabilities. This architect will be entirely dedicated to working across the Mirai programme. The role will work across functional teams and engage lead EAs to develop the reference architecture across the Mirai Transformation initiatives. They lead, prioritize, and develop the overall enterprise architecture approach for this remit, and communicate architectural direction. An effective Enterprise Architect will be responsible for taking a practical approach to supporting the business. This starts and ends with a focus on delivering signature-ready, actionable recommendations to business leaders, so they can adjust policies and projects to achieve target business outcomes. The enterprise architect is responsible for helping business leaders enable their future-state business capabilities that, in turn, drive the organization's targeted business outcomes through the choice of programs, projects and initiatives the organization chooses to invest in. Lead enterprise architects must be capable of practically applying existing, new and emerging technologies to new and evolving business and operating models. Conversely, they must be able to understand, monetize and operationalize new technologies. Enterprise architects guide and coordinate all aspects of the EA program, including: (1) business architecture, which is focused on guiding people, process and organizational change; (2) information architecture, which is focused on the consistent sharing of information across the enterprise; (3) solutions architecture, which is focused on developing a direction for managing the portfolio of to-be solutions; (4) technical architecture, which is focused on evolving the technical infrastructure; and (5) security architecture, which is focused on managing IT risk through the exchange of information between people, systems and things inside and outside the organization. RESPONSIBILITIES Lead and Influence Lead the evolution of the enterprise architecture function within Mirai. Highlight and investigate areas of architecture opportunity to standardize and simplify the technology landscape. Work across platforms and solution architecture teams to drive architecture outcomes for Lean ERP, Application Rationalization, and Artificial Intelligence Engage with Market architects and CDIO teams to ensure they are connected to Mirai initiatives. Cut through issues to determine where genuine differences exist to pull out complexity. Determine and Help Orchestrate the Delivery of Business Outcomes Guide and advise stakeholders about areas of complexity and opportunities to consolidate. Identify solutions to opportunities using principles such as consolidation, automation, and AI. Develop diagnostic and actionable deliverables that help business guide investment decisions in support of executing Mirai. Lead analysis of the IT environment to detect opportunities and recommend solutions for improvement. Provide perspective on the readiness to deliver. Develop and own architecture activities plan for Mirai. Oversee Mirai initiatives and align across architecture teams. ALL ABOUT YOU Experience and qualifications required: (Detail essential and desirable experience, including number of years) Skills Understanding of Enterprise platforms and their architecture. Understanding of Unilever platforms and teams at a holistic level Familiarity with information management practices, system development life cycle management, IT services management, infrastructure and operations, and EA and ITIL frameworks Knowledge of business ecosystems, SaaS, infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), SOA, APIs, open data, microservices, event-driven IT and predictive analytics Exposure and understanding of existing, new and emerging technologies, and processing environments. Exceptional soft and interpersonal skills, including teamwork, facilitation and negotiation. Strong leadership skills Excellent analytical and technical skills Excellent written, verbal, communication, and presentation skills. Ability to story tell and simplify complexity for non-technical audiences. Excellent planning and organizational skills Knowledge of all components of holistic enterprise architecture Competencies Organizationally savvy, understanding of the political climate of the enterprise and how to navigate obstacles and politics. Ability to balance the long-term ("big picture") and short-term implications of individual decisions. Ability to translate business needs into EA requirements. Ability to estimate the financial impact of EA alternatives. Ability to apply multiple solutions to business problems. Ability to rapidly comprehend the functions and capabilities of new technologies. Ready to think, behave and act in an innovative consulting manner to drive the organization's digital business strategies. Understand and speak the language of the business. Influential in the organization and a team player Effective at driving short-term actions that are consistent with long-term goals. Characteristics Trusted and respected as a thought leader who can influence and persuade business and IT leaders. Comfortable, experienced, and accomplished at working with business executives, and able to push back in a professional and diplomatic way. Highly collaborative and supportive of business and of its ideals and strategies Vendor- and technology-neutral — more interested in business outcomes than in personal, or those business and IT leaders with vested personal preferences. Unflappable in the face of opposition to architectural ideals Practical in approach to decision making and problem solving that is principle-based and data driven. NOTES Please apply via this portal as e-mail applications may not be processed and include your Future Fit Plan if possible. By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.   Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner Tobi Taiwo on Tobi.taiwo@unilever.com  What we offer Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all. Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (unilever.com). Location  In June 2020 we announced our plan to consolidate a number of Unilever offices across the South East of England into a new Unilever campus in Kingston-upon-Thames in or around early 2025. However, on the 08 August 2024 we announced to our existing staff our proposal to retain our central Head Office in London, 100 Victoria Embankment (“100VE”) until our lease expires in 2027. As a result of this new proposal, we will be consulting with our existing staff, and new joiners who join during this period of consultation at 100VE, on the proposal made in August 2024. During consultation we will clarify the future location of each team and function. This means your role will either be based in 100VE until 2027 or in Kingston-Upon-Thames from early 2025. As we are yet to commence consultation on the proposal you agree, until such a time when consultation has concluded, your normal place of work as set out in the enclosed Statement of Terms & Conditions will be 100VE. You agree that on the conclusion of the consultation your place of work will be 100VE or 100VE until early 2025 and then Kingston-upon-Thames ("the locations") and you will be notified of which of the locations will be your place of work after that consultation ends. Relocation to the UK Please be aware if you are applying for this role from outside the UK, if successful, your application will be treated as a self-initiated Change Location Outside of Country (CLOC) transfer. This means any relocation costs must be self-funded with the potential to reclaim some specific pre-approved expenses up to £5,000. Please speak to your Talent Partner if you have any questions. We are one of the world largest consumer goods companies with amazing brands, dynamic people and a sustainable vision. We meet everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care with brands that help people feel good, look good and get more out of life. If you are ambitious, keen to learn and want lo lead, you have come to the right place. Explore our website and apply to be part of a company with more than 400 brands used by over two billion people everyday.