Director, Solutions Architecture

Baldwin Group Colleague, Inc.; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 180,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

The Baldwin Group seeks a Director of Solutions Architecture to lead a team of architects and drive architecture strategy across applications, integrations, cloud, and emerging technology initiatives. You will partner with product, engineering, security, data, and infrastructure to establish standards and governance while guiding modernization and platform selection.

You will own the department budget, govern architecture practices, and advise senior leadership on AI-enabled capabilities and

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in solutions, application, integration, and cloud architecture within complex organizations.
• Experience leading architecture teams and governance processes.
• Professional certifications (AWS/Azure/TOGAF) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the solution architecture roadmap, standards, and operating model.
• Establish architecture principles, reference patterns, and decision-making frameworks.
• Lead architecture review processes and governance forums to resolve design challenges.
• Ensure solutions adhere to security standards, regulatory requirements, and resiliency objectives.
• Translate business strategies into scalable architectures and technology roadmaps.
• Guide API strategy, event-driven patterns, and interoperability across platforms and partners.
• Lead evaluation and adoption of enterprise platforms and cloud services with business leaders.
• Define reusable architecture frameworks and design standards to accelerate delivery.
• Champion cloud best practices in reliability, observability, scalability, security, and cost optimization.
• Evaluate emerging technologies (AI, automation) for practical business opportunities.

Skills

Solution Architecture

Cloud Architecture

AI & Automation

Security & IAM

Budgeting & Governance

Stakeholder Influence

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, engineering, information systems, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MuleSoft

Kong

Apigee

AWS

Azure

Job description

The Director, Solutions Architecture is a people leader responsible for directing the solution architecture function that translates business priorities into scalable, secure, and resilient technology solutions. This leader partners with business stakeholders, product, engineering, security, data, and infrastructure teams to establish architecture standards, guide solution design, and drive consistency across application, integration, cloud, and emerging technology initiatives. The Director, Solutions Architecture leads architecture managers and senior architects, owns the departmental budget and governance practices, and advises senior technology leadership on modernization, platform selection, and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and intelligent automation.

Position Summary The Director, Solutions Architecture is a people leader responsible for directing the solution architecture function that translates business priorities into scalable, secure, and resilient technology solutions. This leader partners with business stakeholders, product, engineering, security, data, and infrastructure teams to establish architecture standards, guide solution design, and drive consistency across application, integration, cloud, and emerging technology initiatives. The Director, Solutions Architecture leads architecture managers and senior architects, owns the departmental budget and governance practices, and advises senior technology leadership on modernization, platform selection, and the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence and intelligent automation.

Primary Responsibilities

Architecture Strategy & Governance

• Develop and maintain the solution architecture roadmap, standards, and operating model for assigned technology domains, aligned with enterprise architecture strategy and organizational priorities.
• Establish and govern architecture principles, reference patterns, and decision-making frameworks that guide technology delivery and investment decisions.
• Lead architecture review processes, architectural decision records, and governance forums to identify risks, resolve complex design challenges, and improve solution quality.
• Ensure technology solutions adhere to security standards, regulatory requirements, resiliency objectives, and business continuity expectations.

Solution Design & Technology Delivery

• Translate business strategies and operational requirements into scalable solution architectures and technology roadmaps.
• Guide application, integration, and cloud architecture practices, including application programming interface (API) strategy, event-driven patterns, and interoperability across internal platforms, carriers, vendors, and third-party partners.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, and adoption of enterprise platforms, cloud services, integration technologies, and third-party solutions in partnership with technology and business leaders.
• Define reusable architecture frameworks, integration patterns, and design standards that accelerate delivery and reduce technology complexity.
• Champion best practices in cloud architecture, reliability, observability, scalability, security, performance, and cost optimization.

Innovation & Emerging Technology

• Evaluate emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, generative and agentic AI, and intelligent automation, and recommend practical opportunities that improve business capabilities and operational effectiveness.
• Define architecture patterns for cloud-native development, distributed systems, automation, and AI-enabled capabilities.

Stakeholder Partnership

• Partner with Product, Engineering, Security, Infrastructure, Data, Compliance, and Risk leaders to align solutions and support successful execution of strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with data and technology leaders to define integration strategies, data access approaches, and solution design standards.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior technology leadership on solution architecture, technology modernization, and digital transformation initiatives.

People Leadership & Resource Management

• Lead, develop, and coach architecture managers and senior architects, setting clear expectations and building a strong bench of future leaders.
• Make hiring, performance, development, and succession decisions for the architecture team, and foster a collaborative, high-accountability team culture.
• Manage the departmental budget, technology investments, and architecture resources to ensure efficient use and achievement of strategic objectives.

Required Knowledge & Experience

• Deep expertise in solutions architecture, application architecture, integration architecture, and cloud architecture within complex organizations.
• Strong knowledge of distributed systems, cloud-native platforms, API architecture, event-driven systems, and modern application ecosystems.
• Experience leading architecture teams, including managing architects and technology leaders.
• Working experience with API management and integration platforms such as MuleSoft, Kong, or Apigee.
• Advanced understanding of Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and modern cloud architecture principles.
• Knowledge of workflow orchestration platforms, business rules engines, automation frameworks, and process optimization technologies.
• Experience designing and governing solutions that integrate internal platforms with external partners, vendors, carriers, and third-party service providers.
• Solid understanding of artificial intelligence, machine learning, intelligent automation, large language model integration, and agent orchestration concepts.
• Knowledge of secure solution design, identity and access management, regulatory compliance controls, and technology risk management.
• Strong analytical, strategic-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate technology alternatives and drive effective decisions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to executive and non-technical audiences and influence technology leaders, business partners, and vendors.
• Experience establishing architecture review boards, governance processes, and solution standards.
• Knowledge of observability, monitoring, resiliency engineering, scalability planning, and performance optimization.
• Proven ability to lead transformational initiatives and deliver results in dynamic business and technology environments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology, engineering, information systems, or a related field required or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's degree preferred.
• 10–12 years of progressive experience in solutions architecture, software engineering, technology strategy, or related technology roles, including 5 or more years leading architects, managers, or technical teams.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing solution architecture roadmaps and delivering large-scale modernization, cloud transformation, and integration initiatives.
• Proven ability to partner with senior technology and business leaders, influence technology decisions, and communicate effectively with governance bodies.
• Experience leading architecture governance and technology portfolio planning within complex, multi-platform environments.
• Professional certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, TOGAF, or equivalent preferred.
• Experience in insurance, financial services, fintech, insurtech, or other highly regulated industries preferred.

Skills & Behaviors

Functional/Technical Skills

• Solution Architecture: Establishes architecture standards and governance for assigned domains and guides architects through complex design decisions across solution, application, integration, and cloud architecture.
• Cloud Engineering: Directs cloud architecture patterns and platform standards, helping architects balance cost, security, and resilience across AWS and Azure environments.
• AI Fluency: Evaluates emerging AI and intelligent automation capabilities and applies them responsibly to improve business and technology outcomes.
• IT Security & Infrastructure: Ensures solution designs meet security, identity and access, and regulatory compliance standards across the technology portfolio.
• Resource Allocation: Manages the departmental budget and architecture resources to direct investment toward the highest-value technology priorities.
• Strategic Analysis & Business Case Development: Builds business cases that translate business strategy into architecture roadmaps and technology investments leaders can act on.

The Baldwin Group will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate who applies on our career site. Any unsolicited resumes sent to The Baldwin Group, including unsolicited resumes sent via any source from an Agency, will not be considered and are not subject to any fees for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. The Baldwin Group is a cohesive group of experts in business insurance, employee benefits, retirement planning, and all areas of private and personal insurance. Since 2011, we’ve evolved from a local business into a national firm with a vast network of specializations serving two million clients across the country. At The Baldwin Group, we provide solutions so our clients can pursue what’s possible for themselves, their families, and their businesses. Whether renting a first apartment, opening a small business or taking a company public, we offer solutions to support clients at every step of their journey giving them peace of mind to pursue their purpose, passion, and dreams. We Protect the Possible.

The Baldwin Group is an equal employment opportunity firm and strives to comply with all laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin or ancestry, disability, military status, marital status, and any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws. All such discrimination is unlawful, and all persons involved in the operations of the firm are prohibited from engaging in this conduct.