Salesforce Platform Architect

About the Role National Energy System Operator (NESO) is transforming its digital, data and technology landscape to support the delivery of a secure, resilient and net-zero energy system. Central to this transformation is a modern enterprise platform ecosystem that enables customer engagement, operational excellence, workforce productivity and data-driven decision making. We are seeking a Salesforce Platform Architect to join NESO as a permanent Manager hire within the Strategy & Architecture team.

This role will be responsible for defining, governing and assuring the architecture of Salesforce and associated applications across NESO, ensuring that all programmes and initiatives using the Salesforce platform are coherent, secure, scalable and aligned to enterprise architecture direction. The Salesforce Platform Architect will act as the design authority for Salesforce platform architecture, working closely with product owners, delivery teams, business stakeholders, security, data, integration and supplier teams.

The role will shape the Salesforce platform roadmap, establish reusable design patterns, assure solution designs and ensure Salesforce-enabled change delivers business value while protecting platform integrity, operational resilience and long-term maintainability. This role can be based from Warwick or Wokingham, and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to flexible working arrangements. This role is designated as requiring a National Security Vetting (NSV) clearance.

The level of clearance associated with the role is Security Check (SC). You will usually need to have been a resident in the UK for the last five years to apply for an SC clearance. We would invite any applicants who do not currently meet this residency requirement to still express an interest in the role.

Define and maintain the architecture vision, principles and target state for NESO's Salesforce platform and associated applications. Develop and maintain the Salesforce platform roadmap, ensuring alignment with NESO's enterprise architecture, digital strategy and business priorities. Ensure all programmes and initiatives fulfilled through Salesforce use the platform appropriately and consistently. Drive platform simplification, reuse, rationalisation and technical debt reduction across Salesforce capabilities.

Act as the design authority for Salesforce platform architecture across NESO. Establish Salesforce reference architectures, standards, guardrails and reusable solution patterns. Define architecture patterns for integration, identity, security, data, automation and user experience across the Salesforce ecosystem. Provide pragmatic architectural direction to delivery teams, balancing strategic platform integrity with delivery priorities. Ensure Salesforce solutions are designed for scalability, maintainability, resilience and operational supportability.

Provide architecture assurance for Salesforce designs through NESO governance forums and delivery assurance processes. Review and assure Salesforce solution designs, integrations, data flows and platform configuration decisions. Ensure Salesforce-enabled initiatives align with enterprise architecture principles, cyber security requirements, data governance and regulatory obligations. Identify and manage architectural risks, design issues, dependencies and technical debt associated with Salesforce and connected applications.

Support major programmes and initiatives that are delivered through Salesforce and associated applications. Shape solution options and architecture recommendations for new Salesforce capabilities, extensions and integrations. Work with product and delivery teams to maximise value from Salesforce while avoiding unnecessary customisation and platform complexity. Ensure Salesforce solutions balance user needs, business outcomes, cost, risk, security and operational resilience.

Provide technical and architectural direction to Salesforce delivery partners, managed service providers and suppliers. Support supplier engagement, estimation, option assessment and delivery planning for Salesforce-enabled change. Ensure suppliers apply NESO architecture standards, platform guardrails and agreed design patterns. Challenge supplier designs where needed to protect platform integrity, value for money and long-term maintainability.

Provide architecture leadership across Salesforce initiatives without requiring direct line management responsibility. Work collaboratively with enterprise, solution, data, integration, security and infrastructure architects to ensure joined-up design decisions. Build trusted relationships with product owners, platform teams, business stakeholders and delivery partners. Contribute to NESO's architecture community of…