Director Portfolio Architecture

Permanent Full Time 

-

We are looking for a Director, Portfolio Architecture.

About Canada Life’s Enterprise Architecture Team

Canada Life’s Enterprise Architecture team is a strategic partner with our business and digital technology teams - with an ambition to be a forward-thinking, agile technology organization that is embracing modern technology organization delivering secure, resilient, and industry leading solutions that support Canada Life and the well being of millions of Canadians.

Our team of experts work collaboratively across Canada Life, maintaining the Canada technology strategy and roadmap, developing, and managing target state architectures, and ensuring solution designs align with architectural directions and guardrails. Come join an organization committed to delivering innovative solutions. 

Description

Our Enterprise Architecture team is looking to add a Director, Portfolio Architect that will cover the areas of Business, Application, Information, and Technology Architecture for the Workplace Solutions Insurance & Wealth portfolio.

Reporting to the AVP & Head Enterprise Architect, this is the 2nd most senior architecture role in a major line of business. An expert in the architecture of a large product group or ecosystem, the Portfolio Architect proactively and holistically guides its evolution and implementation.  These solutions collectively enable the future-state business capabilities and drive the organization’s targeted business-outcomes.

Accountable for ensuring the future orientation of the ecosystem aligns with and informs the Line of Business Strategy and Enterprise Architecture, this role maintains the target state architecture and roadmap for the product group/ecosystem and guides the work of solution designers in its implementation.

The Portfolio Architects guide & approve designs developed by Solution Architects and bring forward architecturally significant decisions/solutions to the Architecture Review Council for approval.  They understand the business strategy, the unit’s enterprise architecture strategy and translate both into system changes required for achievement. 

This role collaborates with Enterprise Architecture and Line of Business leaders on the development of the Line of Business IT Strategy. Success in this role requires a strong partnership with the Enterprise Architect and senior business and IT leaders in the Line of Business, and for the incumbent to balance the need for strategic technology advancement with delivery pressures.

The successful candidate will provide technology leadership and innovation focused on the Workplace Solutions Insurance & Wealth portfolio. This portfolio develops and maintains the strategy and roadmap for delivering and evangelizing state of the art capabilities that are critical to a successful digital transformation in the areas of Life, Health, Dental, Disability and Wealth. This is an enterprise level role that will be responsible for the technology strategy, solutioning oversight, and governance to architectural standards.

What you will do 

• Accountable to ensure high quality delivery of leading-edge solutions that meet time and cost requirements that align with business unit (BU) and enterprise architecture principles and design standards
• Proactively identify areas (i.e. trendspotting) and opportunities to use technology to enhance customer experience and/or organizational efficiency
• Research and recommend opportunities to leverage technology and keep up with the industry to support the strategy
• Directs technology research and sponsors line of business (LOB) initiatives (early-stage development/prototype) in support of BU strategy
• Support development of business strategies by producing technology roadmaps, architectural standards and patterns to achieve business plans
• Provides leadership in managing IT risk (e.g.: security, disaster recovery, technology solution quality, etc.) and control requirements
• Drive a high-performance culture for practitioner Solution Architects and influence this culture within Digital Technology
• Ensure leaders, employees and vendors work together to drive performance and that high expectations are achieved within the values of the organization

What you will bring 

• Bachelor Computer Science / Software Engineering or equivalent degree
• 10+ years of demonstrated experience in IT environments with a preference for significant complexity, highly regulated, and/or financial services with experience developing and promoting code into production
• 5+ progressive leadership experience related to both projects and teams
• Prior experience working in an Enterprise Architect capacity and exposure to Architecture governance preferred
• Operational risk expertise related to working in complex shared environments
• Exposure/Involvement with Strategy/Delivery and having a Product mindset is desired
• Led or supported business process changes related to technology.
• Experience with Agile delivery methodologies and maintaining Architecture runways
• Enthusiasm for hands-on work to support innovative prototypes and guide development teams
• Knowledge of emerging technology trends and best practices for improving operational efficiency
• Strong communication skills with ability to engage independently with different levels of the organization and tailor communication based on audience (e.g. technology executive, business stakeholder, technical SME)
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships across multiple geographies, business functions, and levels of technical knowledge.
• Demonstrate customer centric approach to problem solving, striving for service excellence with an outward focus.
• Experience motivating highly skilled groups of individuals toward teamwork and a common purpose; integrating efforts across units; monitoring and assessing results
• Ability to challenge; understanding how to persuade and influence

Assets: 

• Deep understanding of financial services industry, preferably with insurance experience, a strong asset
• Experience with application modernization, system decomposition and rationalization.
• Experience delivering omni-channel experiences via cloud-native designs
• Experience with API standards, microservices, single page apps and integration to core/legacy platforms
• Architectural experience using modelling tools such as UML, TOGAF, Archimate etc., to model architecture practices and principles in Business, Information (data), Application, Technology, and Security architecture disciplines.
• Understanding of continuous architecture and value stream approach to business solutions.
• A general understanding of Business Architecture
• TOGAF certification is a plus

-

The base salary for this position is between  $89,800.00 - $166,300.00 annually.  This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation ( i.e. annual bonus, commission etc).  If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.

Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Be your best at Canada Life- Apply today!

Being a part of Canada Life means you have a voice. This is a place where your unique background, perspectives and talents are valued, and shape our future success.

You can be your best here. You’re part of a diverse and inclusive workplace where your career and well-being are championed. You’ll have the opportunity to excel in your way, finding new and better ways to deliver exceptional customer and advisor experiences.

Together, as part of a great team, you’ll deliver on our shared purpose to improve the well-being of Canadians. It’s our driving force. Become part of a strong and successful company that’s trusted by millions of Canadians to do the right thing.

Canada Life serves?the financial security needs of more than 13 million people across Canada, with additional operations in Europe and the United States. As members of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies, we’re one of Canada’s leading insurers with interests in life insurance, health insurance, investment and retirement savings. We offer a broad portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions for individuals, families, businesses and organizations.?

We are committed to providing an inclusive, accessible environment, where all employees and customers feel valued, respected and supported. We are dedicated to building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the communities in which we live, and to creating an environment where every employee?has the opportunity to?reach their potential.?

It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Canada Life policies. To request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact talentacquisitioncanada@canadalife.com.

Canada Life?would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.

#LI-Hybrid