Lead Enterprise Architect-Strategy & Transformation

GHD; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 166,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Job summary

GHD is seeking a Lead Enterprise Architect-Strategy & Transformation to define how our technology landscape evolves to enable enterprise strategy, operating models, and AI-enabled ways of working. This role bridges strategy and execution across IT, guiding roadmaps, investment priorities, and guardrails.

The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in enterprise architecture or related senior roles, strong executive engagement, and a track record shaping technology strategy and transformation programs.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in enterprise architecture, business architecture, technology strategy, or related senior roles.
• Experience with executive and senior leadership stakeholders.
• Experience developing enterprise technology strategies, capability roadmaps, and investment recommendations.
• Experience operating within complex, global, matrixed organizations.
• Experience in professional services, engineering, consulting, or similar complex knowledge-based orgs.
• Ability to translate complex technology concepts into clear business options and decisions.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain GHD’s future-state enterprise architecture.
• Translate enterprise strategy and operating model evolution into technology direction, capability roadmaps, and transition pathways.
• Identify capability gaps, dependencies, and opportunities to support future business outcomes.
• Develop and communicate a clear architectural vision for a technology-enabled, data-driven, and AI-enabled enterprise.
• Monitor emerging technologies, AI capabilities, integration approaches, and industry trends; assess relevance and value.
• Influence major technology investments and roadmap decisions; connect priorities to capability requirements.
• Provide architectural input into strategic programs, business cases, and transformation initiatives.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Strategic thinking

Executive communication

Business strategy

Stakeholder management

Technology strategy

AI/data platforms

Cloud technologies

Portfolio management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree a plus

Job description

Job Description

At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day! That’s why we pledge to support and empower all our people to make a positive impact when working hand in hand with our business to motivate change. We'll help you accelerate your career and empower you with the right technology and training as you bring ideas and projects to life.

Job Description At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day! That’s why we pledge to support and empower all our people to make a positive impact when working hand in hand with our business to motivate change. We'll help you accelerate your career and empower you with the right technology and training as you bring ideas and projects to life. Together with your colleagues, clients, and partners, you'll make an impact that is felt by all. Who are we looking for? GHD has a new and exciting opportunity for a Lead Enterprise Architect-Strategy and Transformation. This leadership roleis accountable for defining how GHD’s technology landscape must evolve to enable enterprise strategy, future operating models, AI-enabled ways of working, scalable platforms, integrated data, and consistent enterprise outcomes. This role serves as the architectural bridge between strategy and execution, translating enterprise ambitions into practical technology direction, capability roadmaps, sequenced investment priorities, and enterprise architecture guardrails. Working across all of IT, the role helps ensure current decisions create the capabilities GHD will need in the future. The role is future-first in orientation, focused on where GHD is going, what becomes possible through technology, and how enterprise architecture can enable better business outcomes. The successful candidate will be a strategic enterprise thinker with strong business, technology, operating model, and portfolio judgment. They will be comfortable working with executives, senior leaders, business stakeholders, and technical teams. They must have enough technical fluency to guide architecture direction, but their differentiator will be enterprise perspective, strategic thinking, business outcome orientation, and the ability to connect current decisions to future capability. This position can be based in Houston, Irvine or Brisbane, Australia. Our Hybrid Work Model: Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in office, three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment. In an ever-changing world, it requires creativity and innovation to stay ahead. We’re seeking the curious, those who are stimulated by fresh thinking and a desire to shape our communities in new, positive ways. As part of a truly global team, working on complex and rewarding projects, you'll be at the forefront of driving change. See what the power of commitment can do for you! Working with an energetic and high performing team, this position offers a variety of work and will see you involved in:

Responsibilities

• Enterprise Strategy & Future-State Architecture
  • Define and maintain GHD’s future-state enterprise architecture.
  • Translate enterprise strategy and operating model evolution into technology direction, capability roadmaps, and transition pathways.
  • Identify capability gaps, dependencies, and opportunities required to support future business outcomes.
  • Develop and communicate a clear architectural vision for a more technology-enabled, data-driven, and AI-enabled enterprise.
• Technology Direction & Innovation
  • Monitor emerging technologies, AI capabilities, integration approaches, and industry trends.
  • Assess their relevance, maturity, and potential value to GHD.
  • Identify opportunities to improve how work is performed, delivered, and scaled across the enterprise.
  • Challenge current assumptions and present credible alternative approaches when appropriate.
• Investment & Roadmap Alignment
  • Influence major technology investments and roadmap decisions before delivery commitments are made.
  • Connect business priorities to technology capability requirements and investment choices.
  • Provide architectural input into strategic programs, business cases, and transformation initiatives.
  • Help leadership understand trade-offs, sequencing considerations, risks, and future implications of key decisions.
• Enterprise Architecture Guardrails
  • Establish practical architecture principles, standards, and reference patterns that guide enterprise decision‑making.
  • Promote architectural consistency across all IT portfolios and groups.
  • Create lightweight, reusable guidance that enables teams to move faster with confidence while reducing duplication and complexity.
  • Ensure architecture direction balances innovation, risk, supportability, and long‑term sustainability.
• Enterprise Leadership & Influence
  • Act as the enterprise architectural voice within strategic planning, prioritization, and transformation discussions.
  • Build trusted relationships with senior technology leaders across GHD.
  • Lead the Enterprise Architecture capability and provide direction to the Senior Enterprise Architect – Portfolio & Standards.
  • Sponsor the future assessment and classification of architect roles across IS&T.

What you will bring to the team:

• Undergraduate degree in Information Technology, Information Systems, Engineering, Business, or related discipline. Advanced degree a plus.
• 10+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, business architecture, technology strategy, digital transformation, or related senior roles.
• Demonstrated experience working with executive and senior leadership stakeholders.
• Experience developing enterprise technology strategies, capability roadmaps, and investment recommendations.
• Experience operating within complex, global, and matrixed organizations.
• Experience within professional services, engineering, consulting, or similarly complex knowledge-based organizations desirable.
• Demonstrated experience developing enterprise architecture strategies, future-state architectures, and technology roadmaps.
• Strong understanding of how technology enables business strategy, operating model evolution, and organizational transformation.
• Broad knowledge across enterprise applications, cloud technologies, data platforms, integration, security, AI, and digital capabilities.
• Ability to translate complex technology concepts into clear business options, recommendations, and decisions.
• Strong executive communication, facilitation, and influencing skills.
• Ability to balance long-term strategic thinking with practical delivery realities.
• Experience navigating ambiguity, complexity, and competing priorities.
• Builds trust through collaboration, enterprise perspective, and sound judgment rather than authority alone.

The salary range for this position is $166,238-$277,063. The posted salary range represents the expected hiring range for GHD locations in its major city centers. Ranges may vary for positions in other locations. At GHD, base salary is determined by your skills, experience, qualifications and work location. We are committed to offering competitive compensation and adhere to all relevant pay transparency legislation.

Take on some of the world’s toughest challenges - with everyone at GHD backing you every step of the way. We'll give you control over your career, empower you to find innovative solutions and help you create a lasting impact. See where your commitment could take you with GHD! As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, genetic information, national origin, sex (including same sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, age, disability or handicap, citizenship status, service member status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Upon request, GHD will provide reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process.

About Us

Take on some of the world’s toughest challenges - with everyone at GHD backing you every step of the way.

Our Pledge to You

At GHD, we don’t just believe in the power of commitment, we live and breathe it every day. That’s why we pledge to empower our people to make a positive impact. Combining our deep technical expertise with the capabilities of our clients and partners, we respond to some of the most complex challenges facing our planet today. See where your commitment could take you. That’s the #PowerOfCommitment.

Who We Are

GHD is a global professional services company that leads through engineering, architecture, and construction expertise. We are an employee-owned company with over 11,000 diverse and skilled individuals, across more than 200 offices spanning five continents. The Power of Commitment is our brand promise. It’s what makes us different. We are bound to our stated vision and determination to address humanity’s most urgent needs: to make water, energy and urbanisation sustainable for generations to come.