Solutions Architect at Old Mutual South Africa

Job Description

• Responsible for defining processes for technical platforms, system specifications, and working parameters for hardware and/or software compatibility. Conceive system interface and business application prototypes and identify, analyse and resolve system design weaknesses.

Responsible for defining processes for technical platforms, system specifications, and working parameters for hardware and/or software compatibility.

• Define, manage, maintain and govern an Enterprise set of patterns and anti-patterns, co-created with project based solution architects.
• Design and lead the implementation of solutions architecture across a group of specific business applications or technologies based on enterprise strategy, business capabilities and business requirements.
• Define the principles, guidelines, standards and solution patterns to ensure solution decisions are aligned with the enterprise’s future-state architecture vision.
• Responsible for establishing value stream aligned solution architecture to support the rapid design, delivery and improvement of technologies across the enterprise.
• Define, manage and maintain practise artefacts and templates.
• Co-Create separation of concern principles with Enterprise IT architects.
• Govern the outputs of solution architects.
• Ensure that alike business problems are solved using a defined set of consistent patterns.
• Identify and socialise reuse and synergy opportunities across the enterprise.
• Identify and lead the implementation of methods to reduce technical debt across the enterprise.
• Design solutions in line with enterprise architecture roadmaps, aligned to appropriate best practices, standards, and methodologies.
• Monitor the current-state solution portfolio to identify deficiencies through aging of the technologies used by the application, or misalignment with business requirements.
• Lead and play an active role advising business of appropriate choice of technologies based on business directions and objectives.
• Identity the organizational impact and financial impact of the solutions architecture.
• Collaborate with Agile practice lead and other technical leads to drive architectural changes in current and future projects.

Drive change methodology and ensure implementation across all projects

• Responsible for influencing and implementing change management strategies and plans that maximize user adoption and proficiency and minimize resistance to increase benefit realization, value creation, ROI and the achievement of business results and outcomes.

Continuous improvement to ensure effective service

• Ensure adherence to organisational policies, practices and procedures.
• Identify solutions to enhance cost control, increase operational efficiency and manage operating budget goals

Service delivery to ensure customer satisfaction

• Establish productive operational relationships with key stakeholders in the various channels and administrative teams.
• Develop work routines in line with operational plans / schedules in order to manage achievement of service delivery goals.
• Share knowledge on, and participate in the creation of new standards, control systems and procedures to enhance service delivery.

Quality people practices

• Align own behaviour with the organisation culture and values.
• Share and transfer product, process and systems knowledge to colleagues.
• Ensure achievement of own performance objectives.
• Actively share information with other team members regarding successes, issues, trends and ideas.
• Actively participate in own professional development and career path.
• Actively promote a culture of learning and high performance

Experience, Knowledge & Skills Required

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Prosci and Six Sigma Black Belt is advantageous.
• 5 – 8 years’ experience in Information Technology development.
• 5 – 8 years’ architect experience leading complex enterprise project/program initiatives.

Closing Date

28 February 2023