IT Architect

The IT Architect role defines and enables an approach for designing, planning, implementing, and governing an Information Technology Architecture. The role will manage the IT Architecture process across the different IT Departments for the Bank ABC Group.

The main activities include:

• Strategize — The IT Architect will help implemented and IT Architecture that is aligned with the IT Strategy.
• Architect — The IT Architecture process involves documenting and articulating the desired future state Architecture, documenting and understanding the current state Architecture, identifying the gaps between the two states, developing and implementing approaches to close these gaps in close cooperation with the IT functions involved. Elements of the IT Architecture include Business, Application, Data, and Technology.
• Govern — The IT Architect will ensure that changes to the architecture are achieved through effective governance. An IT Architecture Board will serve as to ensure that architectural decisions taken (target architecture) and are followed through (role of Controlling Architect in key projects).
• Communicate — The IT Architect is responsible for ensuring that all aspects related to IT Architecture are communicated effectively.

Principal Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Deliverables of Role:

The IT Architect role is responsible for leading the effort to develop, maintain, govern and evolve the IT Architecture process across the Bank ABC Group.

The responsibilities for this role include the following:

• Leading the creation and evolution of the IT Architecture function and program, including the coordination of an appropriately balanced pursuit of enterprise information, technical and solution (including applications) architecture viewpoints
• Understanding, advocating, and supporting the enterprise's business and IT strategies — participating in the IT strategy creation
• Leading the identification and analysis of enterprise business drivers to derive enterprise information, technical and solution architecture requirements
• Analyzing the current IT environment to detect critical deficiencies and recommend solutions for improvement, including options beyond the boundaries of the enterprise, such as outsourcing
• Analyzing industry, technology and market trends to determine their potential impacts on Bank ABC's strategy and architecture requirements
• Promoting the IT Architecture process, outcomes and results within the Group, including Bank ABC’s IT and Senior Management team
• Leading the development of an implementation plan for the IT Architecture, based on business requirements and IT strategies
• Ensuring that the optimal governance structure (IT Architecture Board) and compliance activities (such as handling waivers) are associated with IT Architecture compliance
• Overseeing IT Architecture implementation and ongoing refinement activities (including setting standards and designing templates)
• Serving as the point of contact for all things relating to IT Architecture
• Collaborating with program/project teams to reconcile solutions to architecture (Controlling Architect role)
• Identifying organizational requirements for the resources, structures and cultural changes necessary to support the IT Architecture
• Overseeing the effective communication of all IT Architecture deliverables
• Assessing and communicating the successes and business value of IT Architecture to key stakeholders

Job Context (Circumstances & environment surrounding the job):

The IT Architecture role is a relatively new role within Bank ABC and, as such, the appointed incumbent to the role will take time to consolidate the function from across Group IT.

The role includes the following domains:

• Technical Architecture
• Solution (Application) Architecture
• Data/Information Architecture

Job Requirements:

Knowledge

The IT Architect must possess a variety of capabilities and qualities including:

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including teamwork, facilitation and negotiation
• Excellent analytical and contextualization skills (e.g., ability to "connect the dots")
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, ability to work with little supervision
• Knowledge of all components of a holistic IT Architecture (TOGAF)
• Knowledge of and experience with management (theory and practice)
• Knowledge of process improvement (e.g. Lean, 6 Sigma)
• Knowledge of banking products and processes
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Education / Certifications

• The IT Architect’s educational background will ideally consist of a university degree in one or more fields of study requiring both analytical and holistic systems thinking.
• TOGAF or similar certification

Experience

His or her professional experience should include:

• 3 years in a similar role
• 5 to 7 years in other IT disciplines

Personal Attributes

During this professional experience, the individual should have developed a reputation for being:

• Influential in the organization and a team player
• Highly supportive of business needs
• Neutral toward technology choices, and more interested in results than in personal preferences
• Confident and unflappable in the face of opposition, yet willing to maintain an open mind
• Effective at driving short-term actions that are consistent with long-term goals