SAP SuccessFactors Solution Architect/Team Lead

Job description

Overview Westrocon stands as a distinguished SAP Platinum Partner and a valued member of the United VARs, a testament to its strong alliance with SAP and its expansive global reach. This esteemed partnership underscores Westrocon's credibility and access to a broad international network. The company's core expertise lies in delivering SAP ERP software and comprehensive implementation services, with a dedicated focus on achieving Continuous Business Improvement for its clients. Westrocon offers an extensive portfolio of products and services, encompassing consulting, robust infrastructure solutions, seamless implementation, custom development, proactive maintenance, and reliable support. Job Requirements & Qualifications Westrocon is currently seeking a highly accomplished and certified Lead SAP SuccessFactors Architect to join and contribute to the growth of its expanding SAP SuccessFactors team. This is a full-time position that presents an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned professional to lead and significantly influence the future trajectory of Westrocon's SuccessFactors practice. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker possessing profound technical expertise in the SAP SuccessFactors suite, coupled with robust leadership capabilities essential for driving successful client engagements. In this pivotal role, the Solution Architect will be instrumental in various critical areas, including pre-sales activities, the design of innovative solutions, the oversight of implementation projects, and the mentorship of team members. The role requires experience with full-cycle implementations using both Agile and SAP Activate methodology, ensuring scalable and efficient delivery. Additionally, the position offers the opportunity to gain global exposure, enabling cross-border knowledge sharing and involvement in international projects. As a minimum the candidate must: Have a least 8 years’ experience in designing and implementing SAP SuccessFactors Have completed at least 6 full lifecycle SAP SuccessFactors implementations that included SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Be certified in SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Core HR Be certified in at least 3 additional SAP SuccessFactors modules Be experienced in configuring and maintaining Role-based Permissions across SAP SuccessFactors Be experienced in integrating SAP SuccessFactors to other SAP solutions (e.g. S/HANA) and 3 rd party solutions Have experience in SAP SuccessFactors Reporting and Analytics, including Story Reporting Be able to analyse and manage the bi-annual SAP SuccessFactors Software Releases Have experience in writing comprehensive responses to Requests for Proposals Be able to conduct demonstrations and presentations to customers and potential customers Represent Westrocon at SAP SuccessFactors events Have experience in mentoring junior consultants, supporting them in their development Responsibilities The Lead SAP SuccessFactors Architect will be responsible for a wide range of critical tasks aimed at driving the growth of Westrocon's SuccessFactors practice and ensuring client satisfaction. 4.1. Solution Architecture and Design The Solution Architect will take the lead in defining the overarching SAP SuccessFactors architecture and strategic roadmap, ensuring alignment with the client's HR strategies and business objectives. This involves a high degree of strategic planning and the ability to translate customers’ business objectives into effective technology solutions. This individual will provide comprehensive oversight for cross-functional SAP SuccessFactors implementations, guaranteeing that the solutions are scalable to accommodate future growth, flexible to adapt to changing business needs, and sustainable over the long term. A key responsibility will be to lead design sessions and conduct thorough architectural reviews involving IT departments, HR stakeholders, and relevant third-party vendors. 4.2. Implementation and Best Practices The Solution Architect will oversee the entire end-to-end implementation process, encompassing critical stages such as detailed requirements gathering, strategic process reengineering, precise system configuration, seamless integration with other systems, rigorous testing, training and successful data management. This highlights the need for comprehensive involvement throughout the entire project lifecycle. A key responsibility will be to lead integration efforts between SAP SuccessFactors and various other SAP or third-party platforms. The Solution Architect will also be responsible for providing governance and ensuring that consistent processes and standards are maintained across all SAP SuccessFactors projects undertaken by Westrocon. This emphasizes the importance of adherence to SAP SuccessFactors best practices. 4.3. Pre-sales Support A significant aspect of this role will involve providing crucial support for marketing and pre-sales efforts as needed, including contributing to lead generation, the development of compelling proposals and effectively conducting demonstrations and presentations of SAP SuccessFactors to prospective clients. The Solution Architect will also be expected to support pre-sales initiatives by actively participating in the development and review of strategic roadmaps, accurate project estimates, and comprehensive responses to Requests for Proposals. Building strong relationships with potential clients is paramount, and the Solution Architect will be expected to bring industry-leading practices and constructively challenge client thinking to ensure that the most appropriate technical architecture and integration solutions are ultimately delivered. 4.4. Team Leadership and Mentorship The Solution Architect will play a vital role in fostering the growth and development of the Westrocon SAP SuccessFactors team by providing valuable mentorship to functional consultants, thereby driving the adoption of best practices across all teams. This leadership and mentoring responsibility are key components of the role. This individual will also be responsible for leading cross-functional teams, including consultants, analysts, and developers, on various projects. Facilitating clear and effective communication between all team members and relevant stakeholders will be essential for project success. Mentoring young professionals and taking technical responsibility for the work of other consultants further underscores the leadership expectations of this role. Conducting regular knowledge-sharing sessions with colleagues will contribute significantly to the overall growth and expertise of the team. Must actively support the Westrocon Project Manager and Operations Manager, including regular feedback and project updates. 4.5. Stakeholder Management The Solution Architect will collaborate closely with HR leaders and change management teams to ensure smooth transitions and successful end-user adoption of the implemented SAP SuccessFactors solutions. Engaging effectively with both HR and IT stakeholders to thoroughly gather requirements, identify key pain points, and recommend strategic process improvements will be crucial. Providing strong technical leadership and clear guidance throughout the entire project lifecycle, while consistently ensuring stakeholder alignment and overall satisfaction, is a paramount responsibility. 4.6. Best Practices and Innovation The Solution Architect must remain continuously updated on the SAP SuccessFactors roadmap, including product updates and releases, and emerging industry trends. Proactively recommending and implementing improvements to existing system configurations and overall architecture based on evolving business needs and technological advancements is expected. Providing expert guidance in defining solution design practices and standards that are directly aligned with SAP's best practices will be a key responsibility. Managing the H1 and H2 Software releases is a crucial part of this role. Experience To be successful in this role, the ideal candidate will possess a combination of extensive experience, relevant project exposure, key certifications, essential technical skills, and crucial soft skills. 5.1. Project Experience The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience leading at least 6 full lifecycle SAP SuccessFactors implementations, aligning with the user's specific requirement and supported by the emphasis on 'multiple full lifecycle implementations” . Experience in managing multiple end-to-end SAP SuccessFactors implementations is crucial, showcasing the ability to handle diverse project scenarios and complexities. The candidate should possess experience across the entire lifecycle of SAP SuccessFactors implementations, including project planning, accurate estimation of effort and timelines, robust solution architecture design, and successful project delivery. 5.2. Qualifications and Certifications The candidate must hold at least a Bachelors Degree, preferably in Human Resources. The candidate must produce evidence of valid certification in SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Core HR. Valid certifications in at least 2-3 core SuccessFactors modules, including such as Recruiting Management, and Onboarding, along with knowledge in other modules are required. An SAP Activate certification would be beneficial. 5.3. Technical Skills The ideal candidate will possess deep functional and technical expertise across all core SAP SuccessFactors modules, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and interdependencies. Strong, hands-on experience with SAP SuccessFactors-SAP ERP integration, familiarity with various middleware tools such as SAP Integration Suite, and a solid understanding of cloud architecture principles are essential. Practical experience with integrating SAP SuccessFactors with SAP S/4HANA and EC Payroll will be highly valued. Familiarity the SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) is preferred. Experience in the configuration of Role Based Permissions (RBP) is required. Finally, familiarity with the configuration of provisioning, which is fundamental to managing and setting up SAP SuccessFactors instances, is expected. 5.4. Soft Skills Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills are paramount for success in this lead role. The candidate should also possess excellent problem-solving, project management, and overall collaboration abilities. Strong analytical skills, excellent organizational capabilities, effective time management, proven facilitation skills, and a solid understanding of process management are essential for managing complex projects. The ability to communicate technical and non-technical information clearly and concisely, both in writing and verbally, to diverse audiences is a critical requirement.