Head of Solution Architecture

The purpose of this role is to lead the Solution Architecture function and practice globally to ensure that the solution designs produced by the solution architects are of a consistent standard and quality and incorporates all the design standards and best practices. This role should be engaging with key business stakeholders to understand the business direction and strategy and be able to advise and guide the solution architects in the business lines and functions to deliver against the business requirements and realise the business benefits required. The Head of Solution Architect is also in a position drive innovation within the organization, to impact and influence the decision of current and future technology stack and solution roadmaps to meet the business and technology vision. He/She is responsible for planning, leading and overseeing the creation of solution roadmap and architecture which aligns to the group technology strategy and business product growth and reduce technical debt within the organisation.  

The Head of Solution Architecture will be managing a functional team of solution architects to deliver project solution designs that align with the domain target architecture and align with technology and architecture standards. This role at International SOS requires specialty in IT Infrastructure & Security technologies, good adaptability and wide knowledge of digital and corporate application landscape. As the Head of Solution Architecture, you and your team will be responsible for designing comprehensive technical solutions and managing the end-to-end delivery of infrastructure, application and digital solutions, reviewing the solution designs that are being provided by our vendors and partners and ensuring that the solutions meet the standards of a good solution design. You will collaborate with IT solution vendors, partners, cross-functional teams, including stakeholders from various business line, to ensure successful project delivery aligned with business requirements. Your expertise in solution design & architecture, project management, and technical leadership will be vital in driving the successful delivery of solutions.

The Solution Architect will be part of PMO delivery team responsible for the delivery of quality solutions to realise business benefits, driving solution roadmap, and responsible for the successes of all projects especially transformation projects such as Digital Office, Network Transformation Program, Aspire Separation, Privileged Access Management (PAM) etc.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership in formulating infrastructure and application architecture blueprint for current and future-state, while articulating key design rationale and business value to stakeholders
• Collaborate with key stakeholders and senior executives of the organization to ensure that the technology strategies are consistently aligned to the business objectives
• Implement strategy, solutions and architecture for overall infrastructure environment, covering key solutions around EUC, Server, Network, Storage, Cloud, Cybersecurity, among others
• Ideate and deliver scalable and high-quality infrastructure solutions to meet enterprise and application requirements
• Review solution design and architecture with functions and business lines product owners to ensure that there is cohesiveness in system design across the technology stack
• Chart delivery roadmaps and take charge of project deliverables catered to optimize infrastructure competencies at enterprise level
• Manage technical debt across the infrastructure and application landscape and ensure solutions are adaptable to minimize lock-in and solution lifecycles are proactively managed
• Effectively incorporate cutting edge technologies (cloud, containers, serverless) to existing infrastructure landscape in a way that minimizes disruption to operations
• Manage a team of functional solution architects across various geographies and program work streams and build the maturity of the solution architecture practice with common frameworks, standards and templates.
• Cultivate a culture centered around innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement within the team
• Keep up-to-date with corporate and regulatory requirements and changes that occur, and ensure compliance measure are in place in order to minimize business and technology risks
• Provide structure in the solution assessment and vendor evaluation process to ensure ability to scale and adapt to changing requirements.
• Create and maintain all solution architecture and delivery artifacts, including infrastructure diagrams, technical specifications, and configurations.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to teams and businesses.
• Foster a collaborative and positive team environment, promoting effective communication and problem-solving across projects and programs.
• Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in solution architecture and delivery management.
• Define and drive quality standards across solution design and delivery.

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science/any equivalent qualification in technology
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in technology architecture, with at least 2 years in an architecture leadership capacity
• Strategic mindset and ability to generate infrastructure and application architecture designs that adhere to business objectives and are fit-for-purpose
• Proficient in diverse technology architectures across the conventional and cloud native environments
• Proven working experience with concepts including DevSecOps and Infrastructure as Code, as well as various technology and project management lifecycles
• Experienced with strategic transformation programs involving enterprise change management resulting in clear business benefit realization
• Strong leadership in driving changes and influencing senior stakeholders
• Excellent communication, analytical and stakeholder management skills
• Strong ability to manage complex matrixed reporting structures and resolve conflict
• Relevant certifications, such as AWS Certified Solution Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, CCIE, TOGAF or ITIL certification are a plus
• Knowledge and experience in dealing with Compliance and Audit certifications such as PCIDSS, Cyber Essential and ISO27001