Senior Solutions Architect at Old Mutual South Africa

Job Description

• The Senior Solution Architect primarily works with the business domain experts and business leadership to craft a solution that is fit for purpose from a business perspective.
• Consequently they focus their attention on a smaller facet of service (the solution package) to make sure that it operates effectively as part of the whole as well as independently as a stand-alone solution.
• Focusses on the technical and business feasibility of a solution and ensure that it fits within well-established patterns and guidelines laid down by the enterprise architects and solution practice architects.
• Takes responsibility for the quality, commercial compliance and technical integrity of the solution being delivered back into the business.
• Works actively with senior technology / platform systems analysts from across the operational space (both internal subject matter experts and those of the chosen suppliers).
• Could have a small team of solution architects under his/her guidance.
• Defines and maintains solution design standards, patterns and guidelines for the development, deployment and operation of secure solutions across the application, information and technology domains for the allocated Segment.
• Governs and assists secure solution development (with a a focus on cloud-based solutions) to ensure conformance to the enterprise IT architectural standards and industry best practices.
• Governs and assists in the Secure Systems Development Life Cycle Management of solutions to promote adherence to enterprise IT architecture principles and support the OML IT stategy.
• Sucessfully employs behavioural skills critical for the workplace such as communication, documentation, presentation skills, conflict resolution, collaboration, stakeholder management, emotional intelligence, team leadership, time management, problem solving and working well under pressure.
• Researches material, sells concepts and encourages business to assess and refocus both its business and IT strategy, using multiple architectural models or views, e.g. conceptual, physical and logical designs.
• Provides options and recommendations to business stakeholders to ensure that they can make the best business decisions based on the different solution alternatives and patterns.
• Uses the Design Thinking process to focus on distinct customer-centric purpose-led solutions, framing the product or service around the needs, wants, and limitations of end-users.
• Contributes toward the development and maintenance of a detailed enterprise IT architecture through the involvement of relevant stakeholders, as well as key internal and external forums.
• Provides long-term management of the IT Architecture Practice and Strategy for the allocated Segment.
• Provides input to Enterprise IT Strategy, Policies and Principles.
• Ensures that solution designs are presented and approved through the Solution Review processes.
• Acts on expert advice and supports engagements with strategic vendors including playing a key role i.t.o RFx processes.
• Collaborating with architects to design and implement cloud-based solutions, emphasizing security, usability, performance, integrity, reliability, scalability and supportability.
• Mentoring and upskilling of solution architects.

Requirements

• 5 - 8 years architecture experience plus a relevant tertiary qualification.
• Multi-disciplinary application of wide knowledge spanning business and technology.
• Relevant cloud-platform (AWS is preferred) architectural certifications and best practice implementations, with a minimum of 2 years experience of working with cloud technologies.
• Experience with various architecture frameworks - e.g. TOGAF.
• Experience with the Lean and Agile philosophies as well as DevOps practices.
• Knowledge of scaled agile frameworks - e.g. SAFe.

Closing Date

• 20 September 2022