Business Technology - Cloud Architect

Woodmenlife; Omaha (NE); Remote; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

WoodmenLife is seeking a Cloud Architect to lead the evolution of our enterprise Azure platform and define cloud strategy. You will guide modernization, establish standards, and ensure secure, scalable solutions while serving as Product Owner for the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence.

You’ll collaborate with Enterprise Architects and multiple teams to drive cloud adoption, AI-enablement, data modernization, and cost optimization across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field.
• 12+ years of progressive IT experience.
• 7+ years of cloud or infrastructure architecture experience.
• Strong experience designing enterprise solutions in Microsoft Azure.
• Proven ability to define architecture standards, governance models, and design patterns.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain enterprise cloud architecture aligned to business and technology strategy.
• Define and prioritize the cloud platform backlog and roadmap; drive platform improvements.
• Partner with engineering teams to deliver platform improvements and reusable services.
• Lead architecture reviews, governance, and guardrails to mitigate risks.
• Serve as Product Owner for the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE) and enable cloud adoption.
• Collaborate with Enterprise, Solution, Data, Infrastructure, and Business Process Architects to align domains.

Skills

Cloud architecture

Azure

Enterprise architecture

Product Owner

Agile / SAFe

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Azure cloud platform

Snowflake

Dynamics 365

Job description

Cloud Architect

Business Technology – Enterprise Architecture | WoodmenLifeLocation: RemoteReports To: Director, Enterprise & Cloud Architecture

PLEASE NOTE: WoodmenLife will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a resume that includes their full name, current residential address, email address, and phone number. Resumes that do not contain all required contact information will not be considered.

Why You’ll Love This Role

WoodmenLife is seeking a Cloud Architect to lead the evolution of our enterprise Azure platform and help shape the technology foundation that powers our cloud-first and AI-enabled future. This is a highly visible, strategic role that combines enterprise architecture, cloud platform strategy, and organizational leadership to accelerate modernization across the enterprise.

As the organization's cloud architecture leader, you will define cloud strategy, establish enterprise standards, guide modernization efforts, and ensure our platform enables secure, scalable, resilient, and cost-effective technology solutions. You will also serve as Product Owner for the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE), helping drive cloud adoption, platform maturity, governance, and reusable capabilities that support business and technology outcomes.

This role offers the opportunity to influence enterprise-wide technology decisions, partner with senior technology leaders, and shape key initiatives spanning cloud adoption, AI enablement, data modernization, enterprise integration, and legacy platform transformation.

At WoodmenLife, you’ll also enjoy a culture that values people as much as technology—with a collaborative environment, strong work-life balance (including Friday afternoons off year-round), and a focus on meaningful outcomes.

About the Team

This role is part of the Enterprise Architecture organization, which includes Enterprise Architects, Solution Architects, and Business Process Architects.

The team partners closely with:

• Application Services
• Technical Services / Infrastructure
• Information Security
• Data & AI organization
• Product teams and Agile Release Trains

As the Cloud Architect, you will serve as a key leader within the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence, helping define cloud strategy while enabling engineering teams to successfully build on the platform.

Role Summary

The Cloud Architect is responsible for defining and evolving WoodmenLife’s enterprise cloud platform architecture and ensuring it aligns with enterprise technology strategy.

This role establishes cloud standards, governance models, and reference architectures while guiding enterprise cloud adoption and modernization initiatives. As Product Owner of the Cloud CoE, you will prioritize platform capabilities, influence investment decisions, and drive continuous improvement of the Azure environment.

What You’ll Do

Cloud Platform Architecture

• Define and maintain enterprise cloud architecture aligned to business and technology strategy

Cloud Strategy & Adoption

• Support development and execution of enterprise cloud strategy
• Identify opportunities to improve agility, scalability, and operational efficiency
• Guide enterprise cloud adoption and workload migration initiatives
• Evaluate emerging technologies, including AI and advanced cloud services
• Advise teams on appropriate use of Azure capabilities

Cloud Enablement & Platform Leadership

• Serve as Product Owner for the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE)
• Define and prioritize the cloud platform backlog and roadmap
• Partner with engineering teams to deliver platform improvements
• Drive adoption of reusable services, automation, and platform capabilities
• Enable consistent cloud practices across delivery teams

Cloud Governance & Architecture Oversight

• Ensure cloud solutions align with enterprise architecture standards
• Lead architecture reviews and provide strategic guidance
• Define and enforce governance practices and guardrails
• Identify and mitigate architectural risks related to cloud usage

Collaboration & Enterprise Alignment

• Partner with Enterprise Architects on strategic alignment
• Collaborate with Solution Architects on solution design and delivery
• Work with Data, Infrastructure, and Business Process Architects to ensure full alignment across domains
• Influence stakeholders across technology and business teams

Cloud Financial Management & Optimization (FinOps)

• Promote responsible cloud consumption and cost transparency
• Identify opportunities for optimization and efficiency
• Guide teams on cost-effective architecture patterns
• Support enterprise FinOps maturity and accountability

Community Leadership & Enablement

• Lead the Azure Community of Practice
• Mentor architects and engineering teams
• Promote best practices, standards, and knowledge sharing
• Support continuous learning and cloud capability development

What You’ll Work On

• Expansion of the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence
• Azure landing zones, governance, and platform modernization
• Enterprise cloud adoption and migration initiatives
• AI-enabled cloud platform capabilities
• Dynamics 365 modernization and integration
• Snowflake and enterprise data modernization
• Legacy system transformation and decommissioning
• FinOps maturity and cost optimization initiatives

What You Bring

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field
• 12+ years of progressive IT experience
• 7+ years of cloud or infrastructure architecture experience
• Strong experience designing enterprise solutions in Microsoft Azure
• Proven ability to define architecture standards, governance models, and design patterns
• Experience leading cloud platform or Cloud Center of Excellence initiatives
• Experience serving as a Product Owner or managing platform backlogs
• Experience with enterprise modernization and cloud adoption
• Strong stakeholder communication and executive presence
• Experience working in Agile or SAFe environments
• Experience in regulated industries (insurance, financial services, etc.) preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Azure certifications (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect Expert)

Scope & Decision Authority

• Acts as the enterprise authority on cloud architecture
• Influences enterprise-wide technology strategy and cloud decisions
• Guides modernization initiatives and cloud adoption efforts
• Ensures alignment of solutions with enterprise cloud standards
• Operates at a platform and strategy level, not application ownership

Leadership Insight from the Hiring Manager

“My leadership style is collaborative, transparent, and business-focused. I provide clear direction while empowering team members to take ownership. I emphasize strong partnerships, accountability, and aligning technology decisions with business outcomes.”

WoodmenLife offers a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive benefits package. More information about our benefits can be found at: https://www.woodmenlife.org/careers/home-office/benefits/

As part of WoodmenLife’s employment process, candidates will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check (where required for position), fingerprint check (where required for position), drug screen, and reference checks. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon successfully passing the above.

WoodmenLife is welcoming to all regardless of background and beliefs. We respect every associate’s unique perspective and contribution. We are committed to creating an environment that values differences and provides opportunities for growth, leadership, and service. This includes providing equal opportunity in recruitment, employment, promotion, training, and community outreach. WoodmenLife is also dedicated to strengthening the communities where our employees live and work.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES should advise the Human Resources Department at the time of application if special accommodations are needed.

Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (WoodmenLife) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.