Solutions Architect

Solutions Architect

We are looking for a Solutions Architect

Our Investment Technology group is looking to hire a Solution. Reporting to the Director, Technology Solutions, the Solution Architect is a collaborative role that partners with others (e.g. Project Manager, Business System Analyst, Lead Developer, etc.) to form a leadership team to design solutions and support delivery.

The Solution Architect will also collaborate with their Portfolio & Technology teams as well as business leaders, sponsors, and stakeholders to develop strategies and roadmaps. They will work to define and maintain architecture artifacts for supporting project delivery and application support and lead technical vision and direction for solutions, ensuring consistency with overall enterprise and portfolio architecture that may at times include hands-on development (e.g. Proof of Concept and project development). The Solution Architect will also have an opportunity to effect change within the organization by incorporating new patterns and/or technologies into new ways of working that improve business value.

What you will do 

• Defines and facilitates a solution architecture that leverages enterprise capabilities and efficient usage of process, technology, data, and people to align these capabilities.
• Consults with business partners and delivery stakeholders.
• Leads the definition of and maintains the technical architecture(s).
• Owns the architectural decisions for the team and leads technical vision and direction for the solution.
• Integrate vendor supplier software into the Investment and Canada Life eco-system
• Focal point for significant infrastructure and development issues ensuring quality designs.
• Builds roadmap(s) for implementing software and technology best practices in alignment with portfolio architecture.
• Proactively identifies opportunities where solutions can enhance organizational efficiency.
• Keeps abreast of latest technological/industry trends.
• Trusted Technology advisor/advocate for business units.
• Supports the development of technology roadmaps and proposals to achieve business plans.
• Works closely with all team members to create solutions that accommodates future architectural changes and designs.
• Identify critical driving forces of process, data, people, and technology at the highest levels.
• Ability to look beyond traditional business concepts and drill to the heart of a given concept.

What you will bring

• Bachelor Computer Science / Software Engineering degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in IT environments especially in the areas of application development and integrations.
• 3+ years of experience in hands-on application architecture and solution design.
• Experience designing integration solutions, with good understanding of Enterprise Integration Patterns.
• Familiar with architecture quality attributes, their basic tactics, and most-common trade-offs.
• Experience tackling engineering aspects of an application including performance, availability, security, and maintainability issues.
• Understanding and experience on most of the following types of Integration solutions: Enterprise Service Bus (ESB), API Management.
• Understanding and experience on most of the following architectural styles: Layered Architectures, Transactional applications, Client-Server, Sync/Async messaging, Microservices, PaaS-based architectures and SaaS-based applications; Experience designing Cloud PaaS and SaaS solutions.
• Values simplicity and is unafraid to challenge technical constraints and procedures to utilize an iterative or agile approach.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative stakeholder relationships across multiple geographies and business functions.
• Ability to effectively communicate high-level concepts and solutions with Technology and Business teams and stakeholders. 
• Advanced level of analysis of the big picture while maintaining a level of detail appropriate to the context of a variety of situations.
• Clear ability to simplify complex concepts.
• Self-starter with the ability to comfortably operate in ambiguity.
• Understands the framework (i.e. structure, people, processes, and technology) that supports an organization’s strategy and can successfully leverage it.
• Ability to challenge; understanding how to impact and influence.
• Ability to gauge, express and communicate risk.

Assets: 

• Experience in the financial services industry or in a similar complex and regulated industry.
• Experience with vendor offerings in the Investments domain
• Experience with vendor engagement
• Experience with database design or data modeling
• Development experience in RDBMS, modern programming language(s) such as Java, Javascript, SQL, C# and frameworks such as .Net, services/API’s, SDLC, automation, agile.
• Architectural experience using modelling languages and frameworks (UML, TOGAF, Archimate, 4+1 View Model, etc), 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 and Lean Six Sigma 

Given the size and scope of our organization, we have the flexibility for this position to be located in the following head office locations: Toronto, London, Winnipeg. 

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.

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

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