Architect - Wheels

Job Description:

JOB OVERVIEW:

Under general direction, drive the development and evolution of the enterprise technology strategy for a specific set of related technologies. Research, define and publish Architecture and Technology standards that enable Wheels strategic objectives and provide clear direction in the design, development and deployment of technology services and solutions in Azure. Provide support across IT to assist project and services teams understand and translate standards into solutions that deliver the intended benefits to Wheels. Review designs to ensure compliance with standards and provide direction to others in maximizing the value of defined standards. Provide input and metrics to the IT Senior Leadership Council and Wheels Executive Team to assist in the continuous evolution of Wheels Technology capabilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as a Consultant/Advisor to the rest of IT and Wheels at large with regards to Architecture and Technology strategies, standards and application. Help Wheels identify and integrate technology strategies that meet its strategic objectives and drive its evolution.
• Be a champion of Azure and drive solutions in the cloud with focus on scale, security and compliance.
• Review and understand existing technologies, standards, processes and policies as a basis for recommendations.
• Define best practices and standards and provide appropriate training and mentoring to enable successful adoption across IT.
• Develop, maintain and support the implementation of architecture and technology strategies, models, roadmaps and policies.
• Communicate policies to IT organization and institute review processes to determine effectiveness of policies and standards in a commitment to continuous evolution and improvement.
• Collaborate with the business to understand their emerging and unmet technology needs and incorporate those needs into the strategy as appropriate.
• Ensure a Research and Development mindset through the use of research, networking, prototyping, simulation, proof of concept and tests to identify technologies with the desired capabilities, cost-effectiveness, scalability and performance.
• Identify vendors and candidate product solutions; define product technical requirements; evaluate third-party solutions; define and build relationships with product vendors
• Schedule and manage internal audits as appropriate and facilitate external audits by outside providers.
• Ensure effective collaboration of all relevant parties - IT and business - to deliver to commitments.
• Communicate openly with all relevant parties regarding all expectations, risks and issues
• Provide input and advice to IT Senior Leadership Council to assist and influence the continuous improvement within the IT function and to ensure IT activities deliver value for Wheels.

SKILLS/COMPETENCIES:

• Minimum five years IT experience, preferably across multiple areas of the enterprise.
• Proven ability in working in Azure, designing solutions in Azure, and driving them to completion with cloud best practices
• Proven success identifying and applying technologies and standards to solve complex business problems including product selection and application development.
• Proven ability with product selection and product evaluation, build-vs-buy decision making
• Good working knowledge of architectural and IT operational concepts, strategies, standards and policies.
• Proven ability to design, develop and implement solutions in compliance with defined standards that deliver to expectations.
• Proven ability to review solution designs to assess effectiveness and compliance with standards.
• Proven success implementing technical solutions iteratively, to support broad-based requirements, and to support refactoring
• Excellent problem solving and communication skills including working with business and technology counterparts on prioritization and change resolution.
• Excellent leadership skills with proven experience developing and growing a team of effective IT professionals.
• Proven facilitation and negotiation skills with a diverse community including business representatives, vendors, industry experts and technology counterparts.
• Excellent trouble-shooting skills with proven ability to identify and address root cause.
• Proven ability to successfully lead teams and deliver to plan in the face of significant change.
• Able to function in multi-task/multi-system environment with continuous focus on improvement and flexibility.

Technical Competencies:

• Proficient with MS products including Project, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Proficient with SharePoint or other collaborative te