Digital Enterprise Architect - Group_IS: Digital Lab at Discovery Limited

Key Purpose

The Digital Enterprise Architect in the GIS Digital Lab works closely with Discovery’s Group CIO and Chief Digital Officer in linking Discovery’s business mission, strategy, and processes to its technology strategy; in identifying and demonstrating the value of new technologies and architectures; and in facilitating Group-wide architectural collaboration. The Digital Enterprise Architect may also execute on enterprise architecture initiatives and may perform a product ownership role for components of the enterprise architecture.
Discovery has established and well matured enterprise architectures in various business areas. The purpose of this role is not to create a new enterprise architecture; but to enable a digital experience for employees, intermediaries and members across the Discovery business areas by facilitating collaboration between existing enterprise architectures and where necessary envisaging the architectural building blocks that enable this digital experience. A key characteristic of the Digital Enterprise Architect is to win the respect of existing enterprise architects in the business, and to work within the boundaries of, and leverage the capabilities in, existing enterprise architectures.

The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial, practical, self-driven and passionate about technology; with strong analytical, problem solving and communication skills; and able to hit the ground running and to take responsibility for developing a strategy and delivering business outcomes across multiple initiatives.

Areas of responsibility may include but not limited to

• Working closely with the Group CIO and Chief Digital Officer to support the development and delivery of Discovery’s technology strategy and roadmap.
• Building strong relationships with senior business and technology stakeholders across Discovery, and developing a deep understanding of their strategic objectives and challenges.
• Developing a deep understanding of Discovery’s current systems, processes and organisational structures.
• Remaining current on emerging technologies and conducting independent research to support business needs and requirements.
• Conducting/leading proof of concept initiatives to ensure the suitability of technology solutions, both in terms of the capabilities these technology solutions provide and their ability to deliver the business architecture, as well as their alignment with the overarching architecture strategy.
• Designing technology platforms and technology solutions that can be leveraged across the Discovery Group and marketing these technology platforms and technology solutions to the rest of the Discovery Group.
• Conducting/leading request for information (RFI) and request for proposal (RFP) initiatives with external service and solution providers.
• Leading, mentoring and coaching team members in cross-functional teams, who may or may not be direct reports.
• Running presentations and facilitations effectively, adapting to different audiences and handling difficult situations effectively.
• Ensuring the quality of written communications, including clarity, succinctness accuracy and appropriateness for audience.

 

Personal Attributes And Skills

• Deep understanding of the evolving digital world on both the demand side (how people/ companies are using technology) and the supply side (extensive hardware and software knowledge).
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills.
• IT strategy skills: business and IT alignment, systems thinking, business portfolio strategy, organisation and operating model design.
• Technology leadership skills: technology impact analysis, new technology awareness, technology innovation, technology selection.
• Enterprise architecture skills: architecture maturity analysis, architecture development, architecture methods and tools, cloud architecture, digital architecture.
• Strong relationship building, influence and negotiation skills.
• Ability to effectively lead people, process and technology change in a dynamic and complex operating environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain digital concepts and technologies to business leaders, as well as business concepts to technologists.
• Experience analysing and interpreting data, presenting that data and executing necessary improvements, and monitoring and evaluating KPIs and digital metrics.

 

Education And Experience

• 5+ years of related professional experience required.
• Strategy consulting experience advantageous.
• Education in Information Technology, Engineering, Business Administration or Mathematical Sciences advantageous.
• A track record of outstanding academic qualifications and professional performance essential.