Solution Architect

Cambrian College; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambrian College is seeking an experienced Solution Architect to lead architecture, design and delivery of strategic business solutions for MBLL systems. You will design holistic architectures, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive reuse across solutions.

The role requires collaboration with business analysts, vendors, and ITS operations to translate requirements into viable architectural options and detailed documentation.

Qualifications

• Experience in architecture design for enterprise-scale systems.
• Ability to translate requirements into solution options with cost estimates.
• Familiarity with data privacy and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop holistic solution architecture for MBLL systems and promote reuse.
• Design integrated system framework with shared services and interfaces.
• Ensure alignment with enterprise technology guidelines and standards.
• Collaborate with analysts and vendors to translate business needs into architecture options.
• Produce architecture documents detailing the complete business solution.

Skills

Enterprise Architecture

Solution design

Stakeholder collaboration

Regulatory compliance

Cost estimation

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT

Tools

Microsoft Visio

Job description

Reporting to a Manager, the Solution Architect is responsible for architecture, design, and delivery of tactical and strategic business solutions, and ensures that business requirements are met end-to-end.

Drawing from the principles, processes, and models of Enterprise Architecture, the role is to design and implement application systems and networked software architectures that support core organizational functions and assure solution/system availability based on business' defined needs.

• Develop holistic solution architecture and design for Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL) systems with the goal of reducing MBLL’s technology footprint and promoting system "re-use".
• Develop conceptual and detailed application architectures and designs by identifying the technologies required and the interfaces and linkages between the solution components.
• Design the integrated system framework for the solution by identifying shared services and shared solutions to ensure strategic re-use of solution, components, and services.
• Design solutions that comply with architectural standards, and with legislative and regulatory requirements regarding data protection and privacy.
• Identify where greater investment may improve opportunities for harvesting solutions for future re-use.
• Produce Solution Architecture documents that describes the complete business solution for solution delivery including developing models for a system or application and all integration points.
• Support consulting services by providing solution and associated cost estimates.
• Select solutions from the palette of baseline technologies within the Enterprise Architecture (EA).
• Incorporate solution architecture into conceptual, logical, and physical designs while ensuring alignment with enterprise technology guidelines (i.e. design patterns, roadmaps, EA domain model, target state architectures).
• Collaborate with the project and operational team members, including business analysts, to understand / translate business requirements and non-functional requirements to solution options for a project or initiative.
• Act as a technical liaison and coordinator in projects or initiatives between external vendors and internal technical resources such as technical architects, developers, testers, and ITS Operations.
• Provide functional supervision to design teams.
• Conduct research on emerging technologies in support of systems development efforts, and recommend technologies that will increase cost effectiveness and systems flexibility.
• Ensure that architectural standards are met and resolve concerns where the architectural standards are inadequate.
• Work with a team of technology staff to develop Proof of Concepts/Value using new technologies that can potentially benefit MBLL.
• Ensure compliance with policies for systems component reuse, presentation layer look and feel, security, audit, records management, and archival requirements.
• Research potential solution options in alignment with enterprise architecture target state architectures and guidelines, evaluate the options and provide the recommendation that serves identified business need.
• Actively participate on development and evaluations for any technology procurement processes on projects, such as Request for Proposals (RFP's).
• Keep up-to-date with industry regulations, standards, trends, best practices, and emerging technologies by attending conferences/seminars, regularly reviewing industry publications, books, internet resources, etc.
• Assist in the development of business cases and cost/benefit analysis for IT spending and initiatives.
• Arrange and organize project-level technical reviews.
• Provide oversight to contracted architect resources including ensuring artifacts produced are at par with MBLL standards.
• Ensure solution design are in compliance with security architecture and risks are mitigated.
• Identify the area of technology risk within a solution where prototyping or a proof of concept might be required.
• Participate in the development of Requests-for-Proposals by reviewing the technical requirements components of the RFP.
• Other related duties as assigned.

• Completion of a recognized degree or diploma program in an IT related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, certification, and experience.
• A minimum of ten years Information Technology related experience.
• A minimum of five years advanced level domain experience (e.g. networks, applications, information security, management, etc.)
• Strong knowledge of software evaluation principles and practices.
• Good knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws.

• Strong analytical, organizational, communication and presentation skills.
• The ability to work in a team environment.
• In-depth knowledge of IT industry best practices, technologies, architectures, and emerging technologies across all IT domains (networking, servers, storage, application platforms, applications, software development tools and techniques, databases, internet, etc.)
• Good knowledge in business system analysis (requirements gathering, modeling, etc.).
• Experience in tracking industry and regulatory standards relevant to business (e.g. LGCA, Gaming Standards Association, Gaming Labs International, Payment Card Industry).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including presentation skills, meeting facilitation, and influencing.
• Experience in building trust and creating excellent working relationships with partners and stakeholders.
• Continuous upgrading/learning is required to remain current in information technology.
• Lifelong learning, in developing innovative ways of acquiring and transferring knowledge in complex circumstances.
• The core competencies for this position include achieving quality results, adaptability/managing change, communication, customer service, decision making and problem solving, integrity and building trust, teamwork and cooperation and valuing diversity. Leadership competencies include building strategic performance, coaching and developing, influencing and leading. These competencies are deemed important for the success of the position and organization.

• Industry credentials in Business Analysis and/or Architecture Frameworks are considered an asset.
• Project Management training is an asset.
• Bilingual French/English language skills are an asset.

***Testing may form part of the screening/selection process. Employment Equity will be a factor in the recruitment process. Circumstances may arise where the bulletin may need to be withdrawn or the number of positions may need to be increased.

We thank all interested applicants, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.