Head of Architecture_2939 in Surrey

This job is with Allianz Commercial, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community.

Job Summary:

An opportunity to join the Allianz Technology UK Branch as the Head of Architecture reporting directly to the Allianz Technology UK Head of IT. The Head of Architecture is responsible for leading and managing the Allianz Technology Solution and Technical architecture teams across Allianz Commercial, Personal and Specialty. This role involves working closely with various stakeholders, including the Retained IT Organisation, business leaders, IT teams and external partners to ensure that architectural solutions align with the organization's strategic goals and objectives. The Head of Architecture will also collaborate with other cross-functional verticals within the Allianz Technology UK Branch organization. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in architecture, excellent leadership skills, and the ability to effectively communicate at all levels and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.

Allianz is currently embarking on a cloud transformation journey in line with Allianz Group strategy. Over the next few years, the current application and infrastructure landscape will be migrated from the private cloud environments in Paris and Frankfurt, including local data centres in the UK, to a hybrid cloud model that incorporates Infrastructure as a Service, Platform as a Service and Software as a Service offerings across both private and public cloud. The successful candidate will be responsible for driving migration strategies to migrate away from non-strategic products such as Oracle Database and WebLogic Server onto products and services that are compliant with the Allianz Future Cloud Platform. This is a senior technical leadership role but also requires interpersonal communication and relationship skills to effectively translate complex IT issues and solutions into terms that can be presented and understood by both technical and non-technical audiences in multiple countries and continents.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Management: Lead and manage the Solution and Technical architecture teams within the Architecture vertical, providing direction, mentorship, and support to team members. Supervise various leads working under the architecture head, setting direction and ensuring alignment and coordination across projects. Develop and implement architectural strategies and roadmaps that align with the organization's goals and objectives. Foster a collaborative and innovative team environment, promoting continuous improvement and professional development. Collaborate with key stakeholders in Allianz Technology Central, Allianz Group and the Allianz UK Retained Organisation to drive alignment to strategy.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Liaise with various stakeholders, including business leaders, IT teams, and external partners, to understand their needs and requirements. Communicate architectural concepts and solutions effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure alignment and support for architectural initiatives.
• Architectural Design and Implementation: Develop and maintain architectural standards, guidelines, and best practices for the vertical. Oversee the design and implementation of architectural solutions, ensuring they meet business requirements and technical specifications and adhere to quality gates. Conduct architectural reviews and provide recommendations to ensure the integrity and quality of solutions. Be accountable for the architectural governance processes for both Solution and Technical Architecture.
• Project Management: Collaborate with project managers to ensure architectural deliverables are integrated into project plans and timelines. Monitor and report on the progress of architectural initiatives, identifying and addressing any issues or risks. Ensure that architectural solutions are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget.
• Collaboration with Cross-Functional Verticals: Work collaboratively with other cross-functional verticals within the organization to ensure cohesive and integrated solutions. Participate in cross-functional meetings and initiatives to align architectural strategies with overall business objectives. Share knowledge and best practices with other vertical leads to promote a unified approach to architecture. Build a community within the Architecture vertical to share knowledge and promote cross-skilling.
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement: Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in architecture. Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement within the vertical, driving the adoption of new technologies and approaches, including the use of Generative AI. Promote a culture of continuous learning and development within the architecture team.

Qualifications:

• Experience: Proven experience in a senior architecture role, with a strong background in designing and implementing architectural solutions. Experience leading and managing a team of architects or technical professionals. Demonstrated ability to liaise with various stakeholders and build strong relationships. Experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams and verticals. Must be familiar with public cloud providers and offerings, specifically AWS and Azure. Experience in designing and deploying solutions that provide services across a multi-site organisation. Some exposure or experience of formal Service Management & Support processes such as COBIT and ITIL.
• Skills: Certified in a recognised architectural framework / methodology such as TOGAF or similar. Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate a team. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to convey complex concepts to diverse audiences. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think strategically and critically. Knowledge of industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in architecture. Must be proficient in multiple technologies including both Linux and Windows Server. Must be proficient in cloud technologies and deployment models such as containerisation. Proven written proposal skills (samples may be asked to be evidenced). Background in technical architecture or operations. Excellent technical capabilities - previous experience of cloud transformation / migration to public cloud would be an advantage.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking
• Leadership and Team Management
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Communication and Collaboration
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement

What we offer:

We offer a hybrid work model which recognizes the value of striking a balance between in-person collaboration and remote working incl. up to 25 days per year working from abroad. We believe in rewarding performance and our compensation and benefits package includes a company bonus scheme, pension, employee shares program and multiple employee discounts (details vary by location). From career development and digital learning programs to international career mobility, we offer lifelong learning for our employees worldwide and an environment where innovation, delivery and empowerment are fostered. Flexible working, health and wellbeing offers (including healthcare and parental leave benefits) support to balance family and career and help our people return from career breaks with experience that nothing else can.