OUR PURPOSE OUR VISION BRING JOY, CREATE CONNECTIONS, AND MAKE MEMORIES TO BE THE GLOBAL LEADER IN BRANDED ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATIONS AND THE GREATEST PLACE TO WORK & PLAY. ROLE DETAILS

Role Solution Architect

Division Merlin Technology

Career Level B1

Location London – Arbor

Reports to SVP Strategy & Architecture

ROLE SUMMARY

To define, maintain and ensure the integrity and consistency of end-to-end technology solutions to satisfy project (or programme requirements and the wider enterprise strategy. As an ambassador for your architectural domains, you will help to create and drive technology strategy and solutions for the enterprise's benefit. Ensure architectures are documented and knowledge at logical and physical levels is maintained, available, understood and communicated. Converting the strategic intent of the domains into the wider enterprise strategy is a key responsibility of this role.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Architecture & Enterprise Alignment

• Convert the strategic intent of the domains into enterprise considerations, ensuring alignment with current and future technical capabilities.

• Communicate and drive the value of architecture within domains, creating a narrative that links technology to business outcomes.

• Maintain the connection between the “why” of our business and the “what” of technology delivery, ensuring alignment over time.

• Articulate and promote understanding of solution gaps so they can be road-mapped, accelerating speed to market and reducing costs.

• Collaborate with CTO, Architecture Domain Leads, Roadmap & Innovation Lead, Engineering, Security, and other leaders to establish standards, patterns, practices, and roadmap contributions. Solution Development & Governance

• Provide proactive technology solution support in analysis, design, planning, and governance of programmes, projects, and change initiatives.

• Drive architectures and governance to produce high-quality assets that maximise reuse, add flexibility, and reduce total cost of ownership (TCO).

• Define solution boundaries and establish reusable runbooks to enable consistent solutions.

• Oversee solution development as the bridge between business, projects, and application development/maintenance, ensuring fit-for-purpose outcomes.

• Ensure all solutions meet business requirements, adhere to quality standards, and comply with regulatory obligations. Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Work closely with business stakeholders to capture requirements, concerns, and priorities for application architecture.

• Facilitate investigations and decision-making to ensure stakeholder views are considered, verified, and validated.

• Identify and agree requirements/features and ensure prioritisation supports business objectives.

• Communicate architectural intent, educating others on change mechanics, best use of technology, and solution reuse.

• Lobby and influence for the adoption of architecture standards and ensure alignment across domains. Innovation & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor external market and vendor landscape for insights, direction, and solution opportunities.

• Develop solution recommendations by applying knowledge of emerging technologies and “art of the possible” approaches.

• Identify and implement opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement in the application of technology.

• Promote and improve the value of the Merlin brand through innovative and forward-looking solutions.

Leadership & People Management

• As mainly a single contributor, your specialism will require you to lead people outside your team to align and support

• Inspire and guide the team to create domain vision and contribute to enterprise-wide architecture.

• Foster behaviours aligned with Merlin’s values, creating a high-performing, collaborative, and innovative culture.

• Support capability development across the architecture community, building shared knowledge and best practice.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• 50% Strategic leadership of wider Global Leadership and business. Within this 25% managing, coaching and personal development of Merlin Technology leaders (including Developers, Junior Architects and/or Apprentices)- Working closely with EVP’s, SVP’s and VPs of course however, not hierarchical in bringing all leaders and employees of Merlin on the journey of Customer, Growth and Data strategies/architectures.

• 50% Domain Level Strategy, Roadmap, enterprise alignment and documented understanding of the current and future domain (s). Working closely with a small group of new and existing Architects.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, STEM, or a related field, with professional certifications in solution architecture or agile (e.g. TOGAF, Certified Agile Leader, SAFe Agilist) preferred but not essential. Experience is key.

• Significant experience in designing and implementing complex enterprise solutions across various domains, including cloud, infrastructure, and applications.

• Proven track record in a technology leadership role and driving the strategic direction of solution architecture, aligning business goals with technology initiatives, and ensuring the architecture supports business agility and innovation.

• Strong background in working with multiple departments in a matrix organisation, including Technology, Development, and Business Units, to integrate solutions that address both technical and business needs.

• Extensive experience leading solution design in organisations transitioning to agile methodologies, with a solid understanding of agile frameworks such as Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe.

• Experience in managing relationships with key technology vendors, partners, and stakeholders to ensure the successful delivery of solutions aligned with organisational goals.

MERLIN VALUES

We Care

• Go above and beyond for both guests and colleagues, showing thoughtfulness in every interaction.

• Uphold uncompromising standards of safety, security, and welfare, prioritising the well-being of everyone.

• Actively contribute to making a positive impact on the environment and local communities, demonstrating social responsibility in all decisions.

Own Your Craft

• Continuously sharpen your expertise, seek personal growth, and help others to develop in their roles.

• Actively listen to feedback and integrate it into improving performance.

• Stay curious and draw inspiration from both the industry and the broader world to keep at the cutting edge of entertainment.

Drive and Discover

• Take ownership of your work, delivering excellence by seeing tasks through to completion.

• Prioritise tasks that have the greatest impact, focusing on quality over quantity.

• Proactively explore new opportunities to improve guest experiences, taking calculated risks to drive innovation.

Go Together

• Foster strong, trusting relationships by collaborating with colleagues across teams, locations, and cultures.

• Work together to solve problems, leveraging diverse perspectives to find the best solutions.

• Commit to decisions once made, and act swiftly to drive progress and deliver results.

Enjoy the Ride

• Bring a sense of fun, positivity, and energy to the workplace, creating a joyful environment.

• Support and encourage others during challenges, viewing setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.

• Cultivate a welcoming atmosphere where people feel valued, included, and like they belong.

HEALTH & SAFETY Employees are responsible for the safety of themselves, their colleagues and guests (where appropriate), in line with the Group Policy (HS001) and the law. In particular, they must ensure that they follow safe working procedures for all work activities that they undertake, and they must not use any tools or equipment for which they have not been trained. Where incidents do occur, they must ensure that they are reported to their line manager and must cooperate with any investigation as appropriate.