Enterprise Services Solutions Architect

Job SummaryThe Enterprise Business Services Solutions Architect is a leadership role that will be accountable for architecting and designing comprehensive solutions that meet Safeco business requirements on high-impact projects. He/she will partner with key roles (e.g. project managers, business analysts, etc.) to create comprehensive solutions that are aligned to Safeco’s architecture standards and principles, leverage common solutions and services, and meet financial targets (cost and benefits).
Within the solution development lifecycle, this role will be responsible for solution evaluation and selection, buy vs. build decisions, early-phase project estimates which contribute to the business case, and high level design. This role will provide consulting and guidance during the detailed design, build, test and deploy phases.Key ResponsibilitiesBusiness Solution Architecture <Primary Focus>
Review and provide input into key aspects of the business case for a given solution
Review and provide input into work effort sizing with project management and development team support
Review and provide input into functional & non-functional requirements
Perform solution alternative analysis for a solution
Create high-level comprehensive solution designs and conceptual architectures that address the needs of key stakeholders from the business, solution delivery and operations areas
Provide consulting and conduct reviews through the development lifecycleArchitectural Leadership
Provide requirements to Enterprise Architects that drive strategic direction for business, application, information, and technology architectures
Identify and communicate components and services required for solutions within the enterprise business services portfolio
Develop and leverage a team of Enterprise Architects for specific sub-domains (e.g. Network, Storage) to support solution definition and development
Partner with Enterprise Architects to identify and define common technology services and components to be used by business solutionsNote: The documented responsibilities are not intended to be a comprehensive list of functions this job may perform. Additional tasks may be assigned by the supervisor as appropriate.Skills and CompetenciesBusiness Competencies
Deep understanding of the insurance business and how enterprise services can play a key enabler role
Deep understanding of the processes, information and systems used by insurance companies
Good understanding of development and project management processes and methodologies
Technical Competencies
Deep understanding of technologies used by the insurance business
Deep understanding of the architecture discipline, processes, concepts and best practices
Deep understanding of how to leverage services, components, and architectural artifacts
Strong architecture design capabilities
Strong Process, System, Data and Infrastructure modeling capabilities
Common Competencies
Ability to see the “forest for the trees”
Personal Accountability
Effective Communication, Influence/Persuasion
Managing Relationships
Dealing with Ambiguity / Change
Problem Solving / Decision QualityCoordination and Touch PointsAligned to: Enterprise Strategy and Architecture- Solutions Architecture
Reports to: Director of Solutions Architecture
Coordinates with: Project Manager, Business Solution Lead, Business Analyst, Application Developer, Quality Assurance, Enterprise ArchitectsEducation and ExperienceAdditionally, the following education/experience is strongly preferred:
Bachelor’s Degree or Graduate Degree
8-10+ years of IT solution delivery, preferably playing a diverse set of roles (e.g. programmer, architect, business analyst, project manager)
3+ years P&C insurance experience
3+ years of Enterprise Architecture/ Solution Architecture experience
REQUIREMENTS
Please refer to the Job Description for the qualifications.