SAP Finance Solution Architect

About NTT DATA Business Solutions:

NTT DATA Business Solutions Group is part of the NTT DATA Corporate Group a top 10 global IT services provider, headquartered in Tokyo, operating in more than 50 countries. We combine a global reach with local intimacy to provide premier professional SAP services from deep industry expertise consulting to applied innovations in digital, cloud, automation, and system development to business IT outsourcing.

As a global SAP Platinum Partner, NTT DATA Business Solutions Group leverages its global expertise to deliver quality outcomes whether you are a multi-national or operate in a single country. With over 15,000 SAP experts across 31 countries, we have the capability and reach to help you solve real problems and seize the next opportunity for growth around your SAP strategy and operations.

Our global award-winning SAP practice, differentiated by innovation is the undisputed leader in SAP S/4HANA. With about 500 SAP HANA clients and more than 300 SAP S/4HANA clients.

Our clients trust our deep experience and proven approaches - all around the world.

Job Summary:

The Finance Solution Architect is a senior client-facing role within the Consulting Practice, responsible for the design and governance of SAP S/4HANA and SAP Business Suite solutions. You will shape and assure end-to-end SAP solution design, ensuring alignment with business objectives, enterprise architecture standards, delivery constraints, compliance requirements and the target operating model.

You will work across business, IT, delivery teams and third-party partners to define solution options, recommend the preferred architecture and support successful implementation and transition into live operations.

Key Accountabilities:

The SAP Solution Architect will be expected to:

• Own end-to-end solution architecture for SAP-led transformation initiatives, covering business processes, applications, integration, data, security, reporting and non-functional requirements.
• Translate business requirements into practical, scalable and supportable solution designs aligned with enterprise standards.
• Provide architectural leadership across programmes, projects and change initiatives involving SAP products and related technologies.
• Advise stakeholders on trade-offs across scope, cost, risk, timelines and technical complexity.
• Promote SAP best practice, standard functionality, standardisation, reuse and clean-core principles.
• Govern solution quality through architecture reviews, design approvals, requirements traceability and management of risks, assumptions, issues and dependencies.
• Support delivery teams in resolving complex design decisions and maintaining alignment with the target architecture.
• Contribute to pre-sales and business development, including solution shaping, client presentations, bid responses, Statements of Work and estimation.
• Drive effective and responsible use of AI to improve solution quality, delivery efficiency and business value.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Solution Architecture and Design

• Lead architecture and high-level design across SAP S/4HANA, SAP BTP, Analytics and relevant LoB solutions such as SuccessFactors, Ariba and Concur.
• Lead workshops to clarify requirements, evaluate options and achieve design decisions.
• Define target-state architecture and transition states where phased delivery is required.
• Produce and maintain architecture artefacts including solution overviews, interface and integration designs, data flows and design decision logs.
• Ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture principles, business roadmaps and platform strategy.
• Collaboratively compile Statements of Work to support sales and deal review processes.

Stakeholder Management

• Engage with business leaders, product and process owners, programme managers, delivery leads, security, infrastructure and support teams.
• Present architecture recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Build credibility as the senior design authority and trusted advisor for SAP-related initiatives.

Governance and Assurance

• Conduct architecture and design reviews at key delivery stages.
• Assess alignment with business requirements, non-functional requirements and compliance obligations.
• Identify and manage architectural risks, technical debt and solution compromises.
• Ensure solution decisions are documented, agreed and controlled through appropriate governance.

Delivery Support

• Work closely with functional consultants, developers, integration specialists, data leads and test managers to ensure a coherent end-to-end solution.
• Provide guidance during build, testing, cutover and hypercare.
• Review defects and change requests for architectural impact.

Practice Activities

• Provide thought leadership through industry forums, seminars, blogs and marketing activities.
• Maintain knowledge of new SAP technologies and industry developments and share expertise across the practice.
• Identify opportunities for repeat and extended business and contribute to the growth of NTT DATA's SAP offering.

AI Expectations within the Role:

AI is a core expectation of the role and should be used responsibly and practically to improve productivity, quality and business value.

The job holder will be expected to:

• Use AI to support requirements analysis, solution artefacts, workshop summaries and document preparation.
• Use AI to identify design options, dependencies, risks, gaps and potential standardisation opportunities.
• Apply AI to architecture knowledge work, including mapping requirements to SAP capabilities and comparing solution patterns.
• Improve stakeholder communication through executive summaries, design narratives and workshop materials.
• Identify opportunities for AI-enabled business solutions, automation, predictive capabilities and process optimisation.
• Ensure AI usage complies with company policy, security, confidentiality, legal and data protection requirements.
• Professionally validate AI-generated outputs and retain human ownership of key architecture decisions and sign-off.
• Share effective AI practices, prompts and quality controls across the wider delivery team.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong background in Finance and Accounting, combined with deep SAP functional and technical expertise, particularly SAP S/4HANA.
• Significant experience in SAP Solution Architecture and complex finance transformations.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality architecture documentation suitable for governance and executive review.
• Experience working across multi-disciplinary, onshore/offshore and partner-led delivery teams.
• Demonstrates gravitas, integrity, commercial awareness and the ability to navigate complex situations while maintaining focus on business objectives.

Personal Profile/Experience:

• Degree-level education or equivalent practical experience.
• At least 15 years' overall industry experience, including a minimum of 10 years in SAP consulting.
• Successful delivery experience across at least 8 full project lifecycles.
• Minimum of 3 successful full-lifecycle projects as a Solution Architect, involving a broad scope of software integration solutions.
• Experience delivering large enterprise, multi-country or global SAP deployment and transformation programmes.

Benefits:

Join our award-winning team at NTT DATA Business Solutions Group and be part of a thriving, innovative culture. With recognition such as the 2024 SAP® Pinnacle Awards and the Top Employer Award 2024, we offer you the chance to make a significant impact while growing your career. Here, you’ll work alongside industry experts on cutting-edge projects, contributing to transformative solutions for our clients. Interested in shaping the future with us? We’d love to hear from you.

We offer a range of benefits designed to support your well-being, career growth, and work-life balance:

• Home-Based Contract: Enjoy the flexibility of a working from home contract subject to operational and project requirements, allowing you to manage your work environment effectively.
• Generous Holiday Allowance: Benefit from 28 days of paid holiday annually (pro-rated for part time employees), providing ample time for relaxation and rejuvenation.
• "Free Fridays" Initiative: Experience the unique perk of "Free Fridays," granting you an additional 12 days off each year. With one Free Friday granted per month, you'll have more time to pursue personal interests, spend quality time with loved ones, or simply recharge. (pro-rated for part time employees)
• Financial Security: Rest assured with our Group Life Assurance offering, providing coverage of 4 times your base salary, ensuring financial protection for you and your loved ones.
• Pension Scheme: Secure your future with our employer pension contribution at a competitive rate of 5%. You have the flexibility to contribute a minimum of 4%, with the option to increase your contribution for added retirement benefits.
• Income Protection: Gain peace of mind with our Group Income Protection plan, safeguarding your income in the event of unexpected circumstances.
• Health and Well-being: Priorities your health with our comprehensive Private group fund provided by WPA. Additional benefits provided include: 24/7 helpline, 1-2-1 Lifestyle coaching, financial and legal support etc.
• Technology and Tools: Receive essential tools for success, including a laptop and mobile phone for both business and personal use, ensuring seamless connectivity and productivity.
• Wellness Initiatives: Take advantage of our cycle to work scheme, promoting active commuting and supporting your well-being with sustainable transportation options.
• Environmental Responsibility: Embrace sustainability with the option to join our Electric Car Leasing scheme, contributing to a greener future while enjoying the benefits of eco-friendly transportation.