Director IT Architecture

UL, LLC • Chicago, IL, United States • $200k - $250k / year • 2m ago

The Director IT Architecture is a strategic role which oversees and enables the implementation of future state solutions to solve business problems through process, architecture and technology for both our customers and internal employees. This senior leadership position ensures that the IT Strategy aligns with the organization’s business goals and architects our technology through people, process and technology to support these goals. Requires a deep understanding of both technology and business strategy, exceptional leadership skills and the ability to partner and foster a collaborative environment. This role, reporting to the CIO, will lead through influence and matrixed team of architects.

Responsibilities:

Develop, lead and document the IT architecture strategy, ensuring it supports the company’s objectives and financial goals linking UL Solutions applications, data, solutions and technical architectures.
Lead the future technology architecture design, considering people and process, through the implementation of the digital transformation of UL Solutions for our customers, both internal and external.
Collaborate with other departments to integrate technology solutions from the architecture roadmaps aligned with UL Solutions objectives.
Co-Chair architecture governance board along with Digital and Security. Be responsible for and modify the architecture where needed for ensuring effective and efficient use of T&I resources and assets. Be accountable for architecture and portfolio decisions that enable the long-term business strategy and comply with regulatory requirements.
Turn business strategy into systems design by developing an architecture framework that enables adaptability, scalability, availability, maintainability and re-use.
Manage and mentor a highly technical team responsible for the creation, implementation, and maintenance of architectural strategies.
Maintain a full understanding of all UL Solutions technology implementations and integration with external service providers.
Identify emerging technology trends and innovations to help drive solutions that increase business value.
Document current state architecture, continually update the target state and interim state architectures required to meet UL Solutions business goals.
Lead the documentation and continual update of our business and technology capabilities.
Lead the documentation and continual update of IT services and their KPIs.
Lead the documentation and update of Architecture Principles, Policies, Design Patterns and Standards, Govern the adherence to these and report on deviations, with mitigation plans.
Lead, track and report on department delivery to goals and metrics.
Track and review departmental budget along with Finance and provide leadership updates on plans vs. actual performance.
Identify areas for business and cost effectiveness and efficiency.
Provide support and direction for risks identified in ERM that are specific to architecture.
Partner with external partners to ensure the highest level of delivery while keeping to budget.
Responsible for stakeholder management (fostering relationships, establishing credibility) on a regular cadence including Operating Committee members, Segment Management VPs, and other critical internal stakeholders.
Attend events that create further alignment within the industry and with external partners including speaking engagements and training seminars.
Manage the governance provided for the architecture review board.
Provide leadership for recruiting, management, coaching and retention of talent to support the needs of the business.

Minimum Qualifications:

Proven experience in a senior technology role, ideally with a large and complex organization.
15+ years of progressively responsible IT experience and leadership roles, including IT strategy, integration management and application development.
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, engineering or a related field; an MS, MBA or related advanced degree is a plus.
Experience successfully leading digital transformation initiatives that meet the objectives of excellence in a diverse global business environment.
Strong business awareness, a sound understanding of key business processes (e.g., order to cash, purchase to pay) and the way they impact business performance.
Deep knowledge of current and emerging technology trends.
Must have demonstrated leadership ability, technical and business acumen, and industry knowledge.
Strategic leader and builder of vision and bridges can energize the appropriate teams in the organization.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal and collaborative skills, with the ability to engage and influence senior executives.
The ability to communicate technology solutions including the technology policy, plans and roadmaps to nontechnical audiences at various hierarchical levels, ranging from board members to technical specialists.
Ability to lead, mentor and develop the architecture team to achieve tactical and strategic goals.
Excellent analytical skills, evaluative and problem-solving abilities.
A strategic thinker focused on continuous improvement.
Financial/budget management, resource management.
Ability to work within a complex and often ambiguous environment.
Ability to provide recommendations on complex issues and navigate conflict.
Poise and ability to act calmly and competently in high-pressure, high stress situations.
High degree of initiative, high sense of urgency, dependability, and ability to work with little supervision while being resilient to change.
High level of personal integrity, the ability to professionally handle confidential matters and show appropriate judgment and maturity. Demonstrated commitment to high standards of ethics, regulatory compliance, customer service and business integrity.