Solutions Architect

GENERAL FUNCTION OF SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT

Performs the necessary leadership, analysis and design tasks related to the development of application solution architecture, ensuring all systems within CB S Bank perform at the required levels of service and service disruption is minimized.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT

• Understand, advocate and augment the principles of information technology strategies.
• Work with Service Delivery Managers to analyze bank business drivers to determine corresponding change requirements.
• Analyze the IT environment to detect critical deficiencies, and recommend solutions for improvement.
• Analyze technology industry and market trends, and determine their potential impact on the bank.
• "Sell" the architecture process, its outcome and ongoing results.
• Define the principles to guide solution decisions for the bank.
• Design and lead the implementation of an application architecture strategy based on bank requirements and IT strategies.
• Design and direct the governance activities associated with ensuring enterprise application architecture compliance.
• Develop a road map of the evolution of the enterprise application portfolio from current to future state (as defined by the Enterprise Architect).
• Coordinate solution architecture implementation and modification activities.
• Facilitate the evaluation and selection of software product standards, as well as the design of standard software configurations.
• Consult with application or infrastructure projects to fit systems or infrastructure to architecture, and identify when it is necessary to modify the solution architecture to accommodate project needs.
• Identify the organizational impact (for example, on skills, processes, structures or culture) and financial impact of the application architecture.
• Document all application architecture design and analysis work.
• Work closely with the project management office (PMO) to ensure alignment of plans with what is being delivered.
• Incorporates effective change and risk management controls.
• Continually identify, prioritize and mitigate IT solution risks.
• Insure escalated calls have been handed off to appropriate IT technicians and that the pertinent information is logged within the escalated trouble ticket

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT

• Establishes and drives the Change Management, Incident Management and other processes and frameworks of ITIL.
• Creating and maintaining client relationships with bank service users.
• Keeps abreast of new procedures and technology implemented by the technology department
• Demonstrated ability to work with all personnel responsible for or using the computer systems as well as third party vendors
• Ensure that all software is legal. Report any instances of abuse to management
• Provide customer support to all departments in the bank relating to technology issues as assigned or as related to service catalog.
• Remotely assist employees with technology problems when necessary.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS OF SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, systems analysis or a related study, or equivalent experience.
• Five to seven years of experience in at least two IT disciplines in a client/server or service-oriented architecture (SOA) environment, including technical architecture, network management, application development, middleware, database management or operations.
• Exposure to multiple, diverse technologies and processing environments.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including teamwork, facilitation and negotiation.
• Strong leadership skills.
• Excellent analytical and technical skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of all components of an enterprise technical architecture.
• Knowledge of business process re-engineering principles and processes.
• Basic knowledge of financial models and budgeting.
• Strong understanding of network architecture and application development methodologies.
• Strong understanding of SOA, object-oriented analysis and design, and/or client/server systems.
• Understanding of the bank's political climate and how to navigate the political waters.
• Ability to understand the long-term ("big picture") and short-term perspectives of situations.
• Ability to translate bank needs into solution architecture requirements.
• Ability to estimate the financial impact of solution architecture alternatives.
• Ability to apply multiple technical solutions to bank problems.
• Ability to quickly comprehend the functions and capabilities of new technologies.
• ITIL certification desired.
• Must have a valid driver's license and proof of insurance.
• Ability and willingness to travel to various locations and prospective facilities.
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse work group.
• Analytical ability to gather and summarize data for reports and present recommendations to the senior management and the Board of Directors.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively interact with employees, vendors, and management.