SAP Solution Architect

EY Technology Consulting South Africa is strengthening its SAP capability to support large transformation programmes across Financial Services and asset-heavy industries. Clients are modernising core platforms, moving to S/4HANA, adopting SAP BTP and reassessing cloud-based SAP operating models. 

This Senior Manager role is a senior SAP architecture leadership position responsible for end-to-end SAP solution architecture across complex transformation programmes. The successful candidate will act as SAP design authority across S/4HANA, SAP BTP, integration, analytics, data and surrounding enterprise ecosystems while contributing to delivery quality, client trust and SAP practice growth. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Own the overall SAP solution architecture across large, complex SAP transformation programmes. 

• Lead target-state architecture design covering S/4HANA, SAP BTP, analytics, integrations, data and cloud deployment considerations. 

• Advise senior client stakeholders on deployment models, transformation roadmaps, architectural trade-offs and SAP-enabled operating models. 

• Govern design decisions across functional and technical SAP workstreams, ensuring integration across process, data, security and technology domains. 

• Support RISE with SAP and GROW with SAP programmes and cloud-based SAP operating model discussions. 

• Lead SAP architecture input into major pursuits, proposals, estimates, assumptions and delivery approaches. 

• Mentor SAP architects and senior consultants while contributing to SAP practice capability and EY alliance value. 

Key Deliverables (6-12 months): 

• SAP target-state architecture and transformation roadmap for priority client engagements or pursuits. 

• Architecture blueprints covering S/4HANA, SAP BTP, integration, analytics, data migration, security and cloud operating model implications. 

• Design authority cadence, architecture decision framework and governance across SAP functional and technical workstreams. 

• Architecture input into SAP pursuits, including estimates, solution scope, delivery assumptions and risk profile. 

• Improved SAP architectural integrity and delivery success across active transformation programmes. 

• Reusable SAP architecture assets, methods and mentoring interventions to build local practice capability. 

Technical Skills: 

• SAP solution and enterprise architecture across large SAP transformation programmes. 

• Strong understanding of SAP S/4HANA, SAP BTP, SAP analytics, integration patterns and SAP ecosystem architecture. 

• Experience with greenfield, brownfield and hybrid SAP S/4HANA transformation approaches. 

• Knowledge of SAP cloud deployment models, RISE with SAP, GROW with SAP and cloud-based SAP operating models. 

• SAP integration experience across API, event, middleware, SAP Integration Suite / CPI, PI / PO or equivalent integration landscapes. 

• Understanding of data migration, master data, analytics, security, controls and regulated-industry architecture requirements. 

Leadership Skills: 

• Trusted-advisor credibility with CIO, CFO, COO, programme sponsors and senior technology stakeholders. 

• Ability to govern SAP design decisions across process, functional, technical, data, security and integration workstreams. 

• Strong commercial contribution across pursuits, proposal development, estimation and delivery model design. 

• Ability to explain SAP architecture trade-offs, cost, risk and transformation implications to executive audiences. 

• Leadership of multidisciplinary SAP teams across client, EY, SAP vendor and global delivery environments. 

• Coaching and mentoring capability for SAP architects, senior consultants and practice teams. 

Minimum Requirements: 

• 12+ years of SAP delivery and architecture experience. 

• Proven experience as an SAP Solution Architect or SAP Enterprise Architect on large transformation programmes. 

• Strong understanding of S/4HANA, SAP BTP and integration patterns. 

• Senior client-facing advisory capability with experience engaging executive stakeholders. 

• Financial Services, asset-heavy or regulated-industry experience preferred for complex enterprise landscapes. 

• Demonstrated accountability for SAP architectural integrity and delivery success. 

Preferred Requirements: 

• SAP certifications or equivalent experience across S/4HANA, SAP BTP, SAP Integration Suite or related SAP domains. 

• Experience with RISE with SAP, GROW with SAP, SAP cloud migration or SAP platform consolidation programmes. 

• Experience in SAP-enabled core finance, operating model transformation, platform consolidation or integration-heavy SAP landscapes. 

• Prior consulting experience in a Big Four, systems integrator or major SAP advisory environment. 

• Knowledge of the South African SAP market and regulated-industry transformation context. 

Stakeholders (Internal/External): 

• External: CIO, CFO, COO, programme sponsors, process owners, enterprise architecture, SAP CoE, information security, risk and compliance, SAP and ecosystem vendors, implementation partners and business executives. 

• Internal: EY SAP Partners and Directors, Technology Consulting leadership, SAP alliance teams, engagement teams, commercial and pursuit teams, global delivery teams, risk and quality teams, Talent and local practice leadership. 

Key Challenges: 

• Balancing standard SAP capability, business process requirements, regulatory obligations and legacy integration constraints. 

• Maintaining end-to-end SAP architectural integrity across large functional, technical, data and integration workstreams. 

• Advising clients on complex trade-offs across greenfield, brownfield, hybrid, RISE / GROW and cloud operating models. 

• Managing transformation risk across data migration, integration, cutover, controls, resilience and stakeholder adoption. 

Strategic Importance: 

• Critical to EY Technology Consulting South Africa growth in SAP transformation and SAP-enabled operating model change. 

• Strengthens EY credibility with clients undertaking S/4HANA, BTP, cloud and integration-heavy SAP programmes. 

• Supports SAP pipeline growth, proposal quality, delivery assurance and EY alliance value. 

• Builds local SAP architecture capability and reusable assets for future transformation engagements.