Job Description

This is a remote position. Director, Enterprise Architecture Client: Our client Type: Permanent, full-time Reports to: Vice President, Information Technology Direct reports: About 5 Solutions Architects Draft prepared by Strategize It. To be confirmed with our client. About the Role Our client is looking for a Director of Enterprise Architecture to set up and grow its enterprise architecture practice. The successful candidate will connect business strategy to technology delivery. They need a deep understanding of how the business works: its processes, value streams and operating model. They will use that understanding to shape the technology roadmap, guide investment decisions and make sure solutions solve real business problems. This is a leadership role. You will build the practice, lead a team of Solutions Architects, and act as a trusted advisor to executives and business leaders across the organization. Key Responsibilities Business Process and Strategy Alignment Build a strong understanding of our client's business processes, capabilities and value streams across operational, customer-facing and corporate functions. Lead business capability mapping and process analysis to find gaps, redundancies and improvement opportunities. Turn business strategy and objectives into target-state architectures and multi-year technology roadmaps. Work with business leaders to redesign processes and make sure technology enables better ways of working, rather than simply automating current ones. Building the Enterprise Architecture Practice Set up the EA function, including its mandate, operating model, frameworks, standards, principles and governance. Introduce architecture review processes and decision-making forums that bring value without slowing delivery. Choose and apply a suitable framework, such as TOGAF, and fit it to our client's size and culture. Define EA artifacts, repositories and tools, and keep them current. Leadership and Team Development Lead, coach and develop a team of about five Solutions Architects. Build a collaborative, business-focused architecture culture. Set clear goals, measure performance and plan for succession and skills growth. Advisory and Governance Act as a strategic advisor to the VP of IT and the executive team on technology direction, investment and risk. Guide major initiatives and make sure solution designs fit the enterprise architecture. Assess emerging technologies and vendor solutions against business needs. Work with Cybersecurity, Infrastructure, Data and Application teams to make sure architecture addresses security, compliance, resilience and integrity requirements. Portfolio and Investment Support Help with IT portfolio planning, prioritization and business cases. Find opportunities to rationalize applications and reduce technical debt. Report on how the architecture is maturing and the value it delivers. Qualifications Required 10+ years of progressive IT experience, including at least 5 years in enterprise or solutions architecture. At least 3 years leading architecture teams or practices. Proven ability to understand, analyze and improve business processes. This includes business capability modelling, process mapping and value stream analysis. Experience building or maturing an enterprise architecture function from the ground up. Strong working knowledge of EA frameworks, such as TOGAF or Zachman, and modelling notations like ArchiMate and BPMN. Broad technical knowledge across applications, integration, data, cloud and infrastructure. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical ideas to executives and non-technical stakeholders. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business or a related field, or equivalent experience. Preferred TOGAF certification or equivalent. Business process certification or background, such as Lean, Six Sigma or CBPP. Experience in a regulated industry, such as financial services, utilities, healthcare or the public sector. Experience with cloud transformation and modern integration patterns. Experience with EA tools such as LeanIX, Ardoq or Sparx EA. MBA or a related business education. What Success Looks Like (First 12 Months) An EA practice with a clear mandate, governance and operating model. A current-state business capability map and process landscape for key business areas. A target-state architecture and roadmap aligned with our client's strategic plan. A motivated architecture team trusted by business and IT leaders as a strategic partner. Key Competencies Business acumen and process thinking Strategic and systems thinking Leadership and team building Influence and stakeholder management Pragmatism: balancing ideal architecture with what's realistic to deliver Clear, confident communication