Lead Solution Architect – Insurance recruitment
The Company
Robert Half Technology seeks a talented Lead Solutions Architect / Chief Architect to join this leading insurance company to lead the current team of five Solutions Architects across a broad portfolio of 50+ projects multiple strategy initiatives. This is an exciting opportunity to lead the ongoing design and development of the overall IT strategic architecture. Define, agree and monitor the IT architecture, policies and standards within a Portfolio, translating business needs into IT requirements, approving all solutions within a portfolio and leading the development of the key IT aspects. Drive continuous improvement in the effectiveness of IT Architecture function across all Portfolios and delivery against a documented IT Strategy.
The Role
The successful Lead Solution Architect / Chief Architect will lead the organisation take a lead in contributing to the design and establishment of the IT Strategy with input from senior IT stakeholders. This will require that they define a Strategic IT Architecture in support of the Business Area Strategy, and which reflects a good understanding of the business drivers (working with IS Directors and their teams). Key stakeholders include IT Management, the Technical Board, IBM TCS Architecture Groups Senior Management, Business Head for various interdependent areas, Programme managers.The Lead Solution Architect / Chief Architect will set business objectives and monitor supporting KPIs to ensure the Architecture team delivers its core purpose, they will ensure compliance with IS Strategy, policies and standards across all programmes and Business Units by effectively managing 3rd parties. They will need to be capable enough to continuously challenge the business with a view to identifying those items for decommissioning, replacement, or enhancement leading to a more effective and simplified IT estate. This hire will need to identify and seek opportunities for collaboration across business units to deploy new technologies in support of cost savings, estate simplification, change flexibility and economies of scale. They will need to help support and coach other Architects, they will need to engage with key stakeholders to ensure relationships are developed and maintained, finally - should track emerging technologies and identify and exploit IT Innovation.The right Lead Solution Architect / Chief Architect will offer significant experience in a senior architecture role with solid experience of designing IT solutions and infrastructure. They will have a well developed understanding of the Enterprise Architecture process and the decomposition of the Enterprise Architecture into the physical solution design. They will be able to rapidly grasp the key components of existing Information Systems, including their purpose, technology and interdependencies. This organisation also need a candidate with a good breadth of understanding of the following areas/technologies: IT Infrastructures, J2EE Architecture Development, Service Oriented Enterprise Architecture, Database Design and MI Architectures, Business Process Management, Enterprise Application Integration.The organisation are one of the best known and most highly respected financial services companies in the UK. Their business aims are backed by consistently strong investment performance, sound financial advice and excellent service. They have gone to great lengths to create an exceptional career environment. The firm offer talented individuals a wide range of opportunities across various business areas. The many other benefits include up to 30 days holiday, annual performance related bonus and pay review, study support, share schemes and life assurance.
Salary Benefits
£80,000-£95,000/Annum + Excellent Bonus Benefits
Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to equal opportunity and diversity. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply.