JOB DESCRIPTION:
 

Job Title:                              Specialist Solution Architect
Employment Type:            6 months Contract, Hybrid
Work Location:                   Johannesburg North
 

JOB CONTEXT:
We are looking for a Specialist Solution Architect with deep domain expertise in the banking and financial services industry to lead the design and delivery of secure, scalable, and regulatory-compliant technology solutions. This role will work closely with business and IT stakeholders to shape digital transformation initiatives, modernize legacy systems, and ensure alignment with business objectives and compliance requirements.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Architecture:

• Leverage a solid & deep understanding of the organization strategy to identify, design & deliver relevant, scalable, testable, re-usable technology solutions.
• Work in collaboration with delivery teams to independently analyse customer requirements & varying business capabilities & leverage analysis to identify & accurately spec / frame ‘the complex business problems we are aiming to solve’ with each solution design or solution evolution.
• Through the above processes, leverage emotional, social & business / commercial quotient to understand consumers and the broader range of stakeholders, their opinions & perspectives and reconcile these within the solution designs (negotiation skills and dealing with complex and divergent stakeholder opinions are a must).
• Leverage expertise in analytical & creative problem solving to synthesise a solution design (build a solution from its components) beyond the analysis of the problem.
• Lead design thinking processes to successfully deliver solution blueprints & associated roadmaps.
• Create end to end solution blueprints & ensure these can be implemented across all phases of the initiative lifecycle (ideation through to product launch & commercialization).
• Design & or contribute to the design & implementation of detailed feasibilities & business cases.
• Leverage a strong engineering background to make the right choices in solution design – this knowledge includes but is not limited to: domain driven design, loosely coupled integration, microservices and other modern software design practices.
• The above extends to identifying the best fit tools to be used for a particular solution, understanding those that would not be a good choice and leveraging researching skills to pivot towards something better.
• Assume ‘one stop’ shop accountability for solution blueprint design & delivery decisions within an organization based on the above.
• Work with project / program management teams to design solution roadmaps aligned to the strategic requirements of an organization and through which the solution can be implemented across all phases of the initiative life-cycle (ideation through to product launch and commercialization).
• Work embedded, as part of a delivery team, to ensure the successful design & implementation of solution blueprints.
• Ensure that the detail of the solution (across all architecture domains) is accurate to the implementation of the initiative, true to the bank’s architectural principles/preferences, implementable by the different teams involved in the solution.
• Work as part of embedded delivery teams to conduct solution reviews, code reviews, testing and other disciplines associated with solution design & delivery.
• Attend various Group & Business specific architectural design forums and present solution designs and detailed business cases for approval.
• Leverage synthesis & creative problem skills to identify risk (impending danger & challenges) and work with a cross functional group of stakeholders across the value chain for support & direction.
• Conduct solution reviews against defined customer metrics and ensure the ongoing achievement of business results through solution implementation.
• Ensure a solid understanding of emerging & evolving architectural principles and hold one stop shop accountability for the evolution of solutions in alignment with these principles (where it makes sense to do so).
• Build architectural capability across delivery teams in a business to ensure ongoing evolution of skills in solution delivery.
• Contribute to the architecture body of knowledge.
• Contribute to the design & evolution of architectural principles and preferences.

People:

• Participate in peer reviews (code, solution, testing etc.) and transfer knowledge and capability across delivery teams for improved solutioning & evolving architectural practices.
• Set & Cascade solution direction across technology delivery teams.
• Build & evolve the architectural capability of Delivery teams across the business – through active coaching & information / knowledge sharing.
• As an SME, support the proactive attraction, recruitment, development, & retention of strong technology teams across an estate.
• Leverage and embed agile practices in delivery teams and work to build strong self-directed, high-performance teams through agile working practices (including daily, weekly, etc. sprint routines, regular & honest feedback etc.).

Financial & Vendor Management, Risk & Governance:

• Carry the ‘one stop shop’ accountability for all risk associated with solution design (from ideation to deployment).
• Apply the organization risk & governance frameworks.
• Ensure solution design alignment to Group guidelines & ensure solutions are sustainable for the enterprise.
• Proactively involve / engage chapter & guild leads in solution decision making, applying an enterprise-wide lens to product & service development.
• Ensure solution design alignment to regulatory requirements and continuously update knowledge on regulatory requirements for the successful design of new & evolution of existing solutions.
• Deliver on time & on budget (always).

 QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS;

• BSc Eng preferred.
• Bsc ComSci or BIS can be considered as well given the current skills.
• BBA, MBA a bonus but not essential.
• Certification in one or more agile frameworks.
• Experience or training in Design Thinking and associated disciplines.
• Has read “Competing Against Luck”, “Zero to One”, “The Lean Startup” or similar works and can explain their application in a large organization.
• Min 5-10 years solution architecture experience (prefer 8 and more years).
• Min 5-10 years hands-on technology and engineering experience (prefer 8 and more years).
• Min 5-10 years team leadership experience (prefer 8 and more years).
• Min 2-3 years in customer-facing experience disciplines (prefer 3 years).
• Min 3-5 years in agile delivery disciples (prefer 5 years).

MANDATORY SKILLS REQUIRED:

• T-shaped expertise with a breadth of skill, understanding and experience across different areas of delivery, different banking functional/business domains as well as a depth of skill in technology and integration architecture.
• Proven track record in implementing complex architectures and solutions with deep hands-on experience in complex technical implementations (engineering background).
• Practical understanding and experience in Design Thinking, Jobs to be Done, Customer Journeys, Experience Design, CEM, etc.
• Hands-on software engineering experience which should feature some of the following: Java, .Net, Scala, Spark, Spring, Integration (ESB/SOA/API/Microservices), Application Security, DDD, NoSQL.
• Agile Delivery Techniques: SCRUM, KANBAN, SAFE, LESS, DAD, “Spotify model” … better yet, individuals who can chose which of these is appropriate, Tailor them or even use waterfall where the task calls for it.
• Technology Management and Strategy including TCO modelling and analysis, application portfolio management and cost optimization.

BENEFICIAL SKILLS:

• Developing Expertise.
• Convincing People.
• Taking Action.
• Challenging Ideas.
• Adopting Practical Approaches.
• Developing Strategies.
• Embracing Change.
• Examining Information.

PACKAGE & REMUNERATION:

• Compensation will be determined based on qualifications, applicable banking experience, and previous earnings.

Click Go Apply to apply online!

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