SAP Infrastructure Architect

We are seeking an experienced SAP Infrastructure Architect to support and evolve a complex SAP on-premise estate , primarily centred around SAP ECC . This role will focus on maintaining and optimising the current infrastructure environment while contributing to the strategic programme to migrate core financial functions to SAP S/4HANA .

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring the stability, security, and performance of the SAP landscape. They will also help shape improvements in infrastructure processes, particularly around security patching and operational resilience , while operating within a delivery environment largely managed by an external systems integrator.

This is a hands-on architecture role suited to someone comfortable operating in a maintenance-heavy environment , while still identifying opportunities to improve, modernise, and influence the future direction of the platform.

This is an initial 6 month contract with 3 days a week in Paddington, London.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide infrastructure architecture oversight for a large SAP ECC on-premise landscape supporting critical business functions.
• Maintain and optimise the SAP infrastructure estate , ensuring stability, reliability, and performance of the environment.
• Review and improve security patching processes , increasing both effectiveness and patching cadence across the SAP infrastructure stack.
• Work closely with operational teams and third-party suppliers to ensure best practice infrastructure management and governance .
• Operate within a supplier-led delivery model , collaborating with and challenging existing delivery partners where appropriate.
• Identify adjacent improvement opportunities across the SAP platform, including infrastructure optimisation, automation, and resilience enhancements.
• Provide infrastructure input into the programme migrating core finance capabilities from SAP ECC to SAP S/4HANA .
• Ensure SAP infrastructure designs align with enterprise architecture standards, security requirements, and long-term transformation goals .
• Act as a key technical advisor to stakeholders across infrastructure, SAP applications, and programme teams.

Requirements

Required Experience & Skills

• Strong SAP infrastructure architecture experience , ideally supporting SAP ECC environments .
• Deep understanding of SAP on-premise estates , including architecture, hosting, networking, storage, and integration dependencies.
• Demonstrated experience improving infrastructure security patching processes and governance .
• Comfortable operating in complex, operationally heavy environments where stability and maintenance are critical.
• Experience working alongside large systems integrators or managed service providers within enterprise delivery models.
• Ability to influence technical direction while navigating supplier-dominated delivery environments .
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills across technical teams, suppliers, and business leadership.
• Understanding of SAP S/4HANA migration programmes , particularly infrastructure implications.

Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting large-scale SAP landscapes in enterprise organisations .
• Exposure to SAP infrastructure transformation or modernisation initiatives .
• Familiarity with hybrid infrastructure models (on-premise with cloud integration).
• Experience improving automation, operational maturity, or infrastructure governance within SAP estates.

Benefits

• Competitive day rates
• Opportunity to work with a leading British multinational retailer
• Be part of an exciting transformation project