Chief Enterprise Architect in London

The Chief Architect is responsible for leading Professional Services engagements and shows Enterprise Architects working with Lead or Principal consultants and other cross-functional teams on customer projects. The Chief Architect is the leading technical contact between WWT Engineers, Architects, Consultants, and the customer for complex projects. The Chief Architect will participate in several Customer projects, concurrently managing all deployment aspects and coordinating activities to ensure success.

A Chief Architect must be capable of supervising and leading multiple Enterprise Architects and managing multiple complex projects simultaneously. The Chief Architect is responsible for defining and maintaining the enterprise architecture process and architecture review process and leading the integration of these processes with other related business and IT processes throughout the program.

The Chief Architect may be assigned to lead customer-facing services projects of varying size and complexity that will often include the development of project deliverables (examples include white papers, plans, strategies, designs, assessments, and business case analyses). When the Chief Architect is designated the Solution / Technical leader, they will combine with PMO leadership to form the “Two in the Box” model, a vital part of WWT's approach to driving successful project outcomes.

Solutions / Technical Leadership Role:

• The Chief Architect understands all client scopes and objectives. They will be the one solution / technical voice facing the client externally and the escalation point internally for WWT employees, Partners, and Contractors.
• The Chief Architect will partner with the PMO counterpart to resolve Risks and Issues upon identification.
• The Chief Architect is accountable for resolving technical Risks and Issues in their project using their background and the array of resources available within WWT.
• The Chief Architect holds staff, contractors, and partners responsible for ensuring that the WWT best practices and templates are followed and delivered to the customer.
• The Chief Architect will review deployment documents, technical assessments, and other technical outputs to ensure a correct and consistent tone is delivered as defined by “One Voice.”
• The Chief Architect will manage their respective project as if it were their own stand-alone business and deliver a service that matches WWT's expectations, focusing on profitability and professionalism.

Primary:

• Leading the development of the enterprise architecture function or program and communicating its progress, outcomes, and results to WWT and the customer.
• Understanding, advocating, and supporting the enterprise's IT strategies and analysing its IT environment to detect deficiencies and recommend improvements.
• Leading and facilitating the creation of governing principles to guide customer information, technology, and solution decision-making.
• Designing and directing the governance structure and activities associated with ensuring compliance with the enterprise architecture.
• Overseeing the evaluation and selection of hardware and software product standards and the design of standard configurations.
• Identifying the organizational resources, structures, and cultural change necessary to support the enterprise architecture.

Advanced communication skills, including business/technical writing and presentations. Advanced ability to present in-depth technical solutions. Self-motivation with the ability to motivate and energise a project team. Drive to exceed customer and project goals. Demonstrate ability to work successfully at all customer levels, from C-level executives to end users. Thoughtful leadership and innovative thinking. Positive customer service attitude. Drive additional profitable growth within the accounts. Develop relationships throughout the customer's organization to source new business. Responsible for the delivery of project work, ongoing quality of the work, ensuring standards and delivery methodologies are being followed and appropriate resources are available to meet the current and future demands of the project.

Participate with Sales during the sales process through Project Scoping Workshops (PSWs), presentations, solutions, and development of Scopes of Work. Provide the bridge between Sales and Professional Services as new opportunities are closed. Proven track record of customer focus, including the ability to foster long-term client relationships; Ability to successfully manage partner and vendor resources. General understanding of financial forecasting, reporting, and budgeting. Personnel management experience. Expert knowledge of project architectural principles and practices. Willing to travel 50-75% of the time. Proactively detects technical deficiencies and develops practical, workable solutions to problems. Takes full responsibility for the overall execution and delivery of critical tasks or projects. Creates an environment where others feel safe to be open and candid and where conflicting ideas and opinions are regularly discussed.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Conveys the WWT vision in genuine and relevant terms that others can identify with, helping others see how things will improve.
• Stays focused on department and WWT strategic priorities and allocates their time and resources accordingly.
• Works with and through others to consistently break down barriers between departments.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor.
• Proactively seek ways to expand technical knowledge.
• Possesses professional maturity and presence.
• Works actively on mentoring and team development with more junior team members.
• Proficient in the aspects of project launch and closure.
• Ability to act as a technical expert.
• Good technical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Manage large or multi-disciplinary/multi-phased projects, including planning, staffing, budgeting, and delivery.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends and tools to provide best-practice insight and best-in-class recommendations to management.
• Ensure that all components and their usage are consistent and in compliance with all applicable regulatory, departmental, IT, and corporate standards, policies, and guidelines.

EDUCATIONAL/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

A Chief Architect must have an industry-recognised Enterprise Architecture certification such as TOGAF, Zachman, Department of Defense Architecture, or Federal Chief Enterprise Architecture.

Minimum:

• Minimum ten years (10) of industry experience in enterprise IT management, technology consulting, advisory, or professional services.
• 5-7 years experience as a Senior or Lead Consultant or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated leadership, team building, and management skills.

Preferred:

• Thorough understanding of at least one central WWT technology practice area, key technology partners, and market trends.
• Post-graduate training in business-related discipline or management.
• Advanced client-facing skills, including analysing complex problems and influencing and negotiating with clients.
• Demonstrated technical consulting experience in one vertical sector: government, public sector, higher education, finance, health care, technology, or another commercial.