Senior Solution Architect

Old Mutual; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Old Mutual seeks a Senior Solution Architect to guide critical architecture planning aligned with business objectives. The role involves managing risks and compliance while collaborating with delivery teams to ensure robust solutions. The ideal candidate will have extensive IT experience and a relevant degree, playing a pivotal role in driving architectural excellence across projects.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years in a technical/solution design role.
• Minimum of 10 years relevant IT experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead solution requirements gathering and align with business objectives.
• Evaluate and approve solution options and technology selections.
• Manage architecture risk and compliance.

Skills

Adaptive Thinking

Application Development

Building Architecture

Confidentiality

Database Administration

Data Modeling

Solution Architecture

Test Case Management

Education

Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or relevant field

NQF Level 7 - Advanced Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Let's Write Africa's Story Together!

Old Mutual is a firm believer in the African opportunity and our diverse talent reflects this.

Job Description

THE JOB PROFILE SUMMARY OR PURPOSE OF THE REQUESTED JOB
The key focus for the senior solution architect is to perform planning aligned to business objectives on key solutions and objectives, build and participate the architecture capability building, perform solution architecture and design, manage architecture risk and compliance, provide design and build governance and support and communicate and share knowledge around the architecture practices, guardrails, blueprints and standards related to the solution design.
THE MAIN ACTIVITIES OF THE JOB (DESCRIPTION)
Planning
• Lead solution requirements gathering and ensure alignment with business objectives and constraints.
• Define and refine architecture runways for intentional architecture with the enterprise architect
• Provide input into business cases and costing
• Participate and provide architectural runway requirements into Programme Increment (PI) Planning

Architecture Capability
• Develop and oversee segment architecture views and ensure alignment with enterprise architecture.
• Maintain and oversee the segment and solution artifacts in the set enterprise repository and knowledge portals aligned to the rest of the architecture
• Manage the architecture processes based on the requirements for each architype
• Manage change impact of the architecture with stakeholders
• Develop and participate in the build of the solution architecture practice with embedded architects and engineers including the relevant methods, repository and tools
• Manage the segment and solution architecture considering the business, application, information/data and technology viewpoints
• Establish, enforce and implement standards, guardrails, frameworks, and patterns

Solution Design
• Lead and review conceptual, logical, and detailed designs
• Evaluate and approve solution options and technology selections
• Select appropriate technology, tools and build for the solution
• Oversee and maintain the solution blueprints
• Drive incremental modernisation initiatives in the delivery area

Risk, Governance and Compliance
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks at a solution architecture level
• Ensure and enforce compliance with policies, standards, and regulations
• Lead architecture reviews and integrate with governance functions
• Integrate with other governance and compliance functions to ensure continuity in managing the investment and risk for the organisation pertaining to the solution architectures
• Establish and provide standards, guidance, and tools to delivery teams.

Implementation Guidance and Collaboration
• Establish and provide solution architecture guidance and tools to delivery teams
• Lead and facilitate collaboration with delivery teams to achieve architecture objectives
• Manage and resolve deviations and ensure up-to-date solution design documentation
• Identify opportunities to optimise delivery of solutions
• Oversee and conduct post-implementation reviews
• Develop code patterns and implementations where required

Communication and Knowledge Sharing
• Communicate the up-to-date views for the architecture
• Communicate and collaborate the relevant standards, practices, guardrails and tools to stakeholders
• Ensure that IT teams are well informed or trained in the respective architecture requirements
• Communicate and collaborate with stakeholders' relevant views on planning, technology assessments, risk, compliance, governance and project assessments
• Drive or participate in the relevant Centres of Excellence (CoEs)
• Communicating technology vision and roadmap aligned to the business strategy
• Participate in the architecture collaboration forums
• Ensure effective participation in the Agile Ceremonies

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED FOR THE JOB)
• Matric
• Degree or diploma in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering OR relevant diploma / degree
• Experience: Requires a minimum of 7 years in a technical/solution design role and a minimum of 10 years relevant IT experience
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE (PREFERRED, NOT A REQUIREMENT)
• TOGAF
• ArchiMate
• Cloud Certifications (AWS, Azure)
• Financial Services experience in Insurance and/or Banking
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
• Critical thinking/problem solving
• Teamwork/collaboration
• Effective Communication Skills
• Leadership skills
• Knowledge and experience in architecture domains
• Knowledge and experience in architecture methods, frameworks and tools
• Solution Design Experience
• Agile Knowledge and Experience
• Cloud Knowledge and Experience

The Solution Architect primarily works with the product owner team by providing business process alignment and technical leadership to craft a solution that is fit for purpose from a business perspective. The Solution Architect focuses on both smaller and large facet of the solution to make sure that it is engineered and fits the operating mode. Focusses on the technical and business feasibility of a solution and ensure that it fits within well-established patterns and guidelines laid down by the enterprise architects and lead solution architects. Takes responsibility for the quality, commercial compliance and technical integrity of the solution being delivered back into the
business. Works actively with senior technology / platform systems analysts from across the operational space (both internal subject matter experts and those of the chosen suppliers). Work with other domain architects in the programme including cloud
infrastructure, technology and domain specific architects. Monitors adherence to architectural standards for the development, deployment and management of application, information, communication and technology infrastructure

Skills

Adaptive Thinking, Application Development, Building Architecture, Confidentiality, Database Administration, Database Queries, Data Classification, Data Compilation, Data Compression, Data Encoding, Data Modeling, Data Recovery, Design, Enterprise Architecture Framework, Executing Plans, Gateway Servers, Information Technology Strategies, IT Architecture, Solution Architecture, Solutions Design, Test Case Management

Competencies

Education

NQF Level 7 - Degree, Advance Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate or equivalent

Closing Date

19 June 2025 , 23:59

The appointment will be made from the designated group in line with the Employment Equity Plan of Old Mutual South Africa and the specific business unit in question.

The Old Mutual Story!