Lead Software architect

The Software Architect 4 is a technical leader accountable for ensuring the technical designs for the software system(s) in scope are fit for purpose documented and aligned with product roadmap business goals and technology strategy. This position ensures there is a technology strategy in place that aligns with the business strategy and offers technical advice to business stakeholders to help them make informed decisions. This position is accountable for one significant software system and has a narrower scope than a software architect 5.

• Form a close partnership with the relevant product managers and product owners. Lead, facilitate, coordinate, and govern requirements analysis and software design activities affecting the software system in scope, ensuring the resulting software designs are fit for purpose and adhere to the relevant architectural constraints, qualities, and best practice guidance.
• Collaborate with software developers and other software architects to produce design documentation that clearly and accurately describes the system in scope and complies with any guidance that's in place. Periodically review the design documentation with target stakeholders to ensure it meets their needs.
• Work with software developers and other software architects to identify and prioritize any deficiencies in the design of the system in scope. Lead efforts to create a reasonable plan to address those deficiencies working with other stakeholders as needed to schedule its execution.
• Identify and record inconsistencies in the patterns, best practices, technologies, and tools used in the design of the system in scope, and work with others to create a prioritized plan to address them.
• Provide timely design decisions and guidance to unblock development teams, addressing any obstacles or challenges they encounter.
• Establish a technical strategy for the system in scope that aligns with and supports the relevant business strategy and any higher-level technical strategy.
• Equip internal stakeholders of the systems in scope with sufficient information about the technological context and available trade-offs to enable well-informed strategic decision-making in a timely manner.
• Operate as a trusted advisor on issues and trends; provide general consulting services leveraging expertise and significant best practice knowledge.
• Operate as an innovative thought leader; contribute significantly to the overall growth and quality of the department through knowledge sharing and coaching on current best practices and market trends.
• Mentor, coach, train, and provide feedback to other team members; provide feedback to leadership on technical abilities of team.

• Master's degree or equivalent experience
• Broad and deep experience of all facets of professional software engineering in multiple technical and commercial environments
• Master level experience with data structures, algorithms, and software design
• Master level experience in understanding and application of software design, design patterns, architecture patterns, and quality attributes
• Master level software modelling skills covering information, object-oriented, process, state, security, logical, and physical architectural views
• Master level knowledge and application of modern software development lifecycle processes from product conception through deployment
• Demonstrable experience of communicating effectively through multiple media to persuade and influence at a senior level
• Significant experience, knowledge, and direct development experience of two or more technology stacks
• Strong oral and written communications skills that demonstrate a professional demeanor and the ability to interact with a variety of cross-functional roles with occasional executive presence
• Strong organizational, multi-tasking, and time management skills
• Strong collaboration skills, applied successfully within team as well as with all levels of employees in other areas
• Senior-level leadership and business acumen skills capable of engaging with director and vice-president leadership levels
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to maintain solid rapport with team members as well as maintain professionalism with those outside of department
• Strong data gathering, interviewing, and analytical/problem solving skills
• Strong critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Strong ability to establish rapport and gain the trust of others; effective at gaining consensus
• Strong ability to coach, mentor and provide feedback to team members in a timely manner
• Strong ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and tact
• Sharp, fast learner with technology curiosity and aptitude
• Driven to learn and stay current professionally
• Passionate, competitive and intellectually curious
• Strong ability to influence, motivate and mobilize team members and business partners
• Strong ability to make decisions in timely manner
• Courage and the ability to take ownership
• Strong ability developing and using original thinking to translate business goals and functional requirements into the implementation of new ideas and design solutions
• Strong ability to work effectively with external partners and customers
• Ability to provide guidance and support to developing team members
• Up to 15% travel time required