Principal, IT Architect

Purpose of Job

The Principal, IT Architect is accountable for the delivery of aspects of the Enterprise Reference Architecture and Architecture Practice that support IT for the Bank. These architectures provide strategic guidance to all technology initiatives. The Principal, IT Architect is further accountable for defining the overall architecture and design of IT solutions, working within a team of technical and functional specialists in the elaboration of solutions within the defined architecture.

The role interacts with primarily with all IT teams, but also engages with many of the business functions across the Bank.

Accountabilities & Responsibilties

• Delivers, maintains and communicates aspects of the Enterprise Reference Architecture (ERA), to ensure systems are fit for purpose and meet evolving business requirements.
• Contributes to the Architectural Knowledge Base, to enable a consistent and efficient approach to the retention and re-use of architectural knowledge assets.
• Explain and promote the ERA within IT to develop understanding of strategic architectural priorities and approaches.
• Advises project teams and runs practice groups to ensure stakeholders are kept up to date
• Champion and role model the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours, ensuring adherence within the team(s) so that the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct are exhibited at all times.
• Provide technical guidance and advice to projects from an early stage, ensuring they follow an optimal direction from the outset
• Ensure that solutions are technically sound and will function as expected in production. Any operational risks or considerations of the technology solution should be understood and agreed before implementation
• Ensure that solutions are an appropriate balance between short-term delivery needs and medium-term strategic aspirations. All deviations from agreed roadmaps should be explicit and agreed through appropriate governance

Data and Analytics

The role will be responsible for enterprise systems supporting enterprise data and reporting requirements, including business intelligence, advanced analytics, data warehousing, operational analytics, metadata management, and data quality management. The role will be responsible for or contribute to assessment, selection for technology products for these domains, their proving, introduction and subsequent and enhancements. The architect will also be responsible for data definition, and is a subject matter expert for all technology solutions regarding data and reporting. This includes business intelligence, data analytics, data warehouse and intra-day reporting. It will contribute to the overall strategy and roadmaps for IT systems in this domain, and will be accountable for some of these. 

This role requires extensive experience in leading analysis, design and implementation of reporting solutions. Knowledge of Cognos, SAP BI, Informatica and other data tools would be an advantage. This will sometimes be a hands-on role, leading by example in technology spikes and implementations. 

Knowledge, Skills, Experience & Qualifications

Education and Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree. Masters preferred or equivalent experience in the area of expertise

Qualification in Enterprise or Solution Architecture.

Specific specialism certification(s)

Knowledge and Experience

Extensive experience in solution architecture across a range of platforms and business domains

Wide-ranging experience of IT projects throughout the implementation lifecycle

Experience in integration techniques and technologies

Ability to develop deep business knowledge and offer advice that spans IT and business domains.

Extensive knowledge of a wide range of contemporary IT platforms, techniques and methodologies

Experience drafting and presenting solutions to project stakeholders

Experience of working in a mid-sized corporate environment, successfully aligning solutions appropriately with wider roadmaps, architecture and other initiatives

Experience as a collaborative team member

Skills

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Strong formal and technical modelling skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate appropriate, concise and accurate information to a wide variety of audiences within IT and projects.

Excellent interpersonal skills, in particular service orientation, organisational awareness and people empathy.

Fluency in written and spoken English.

Ability to operate sensitively in a multicultural environment

What is it like to work at the EBRD?

Our agile and innovative approach is what makes life at the EBRD a unique experience! You will be part of a pioneering and diverse international organisation, and use your talents to make a real difference to people's lives and help shape the future of the regions we invest in. 

The EBRD environment provides you with:

• Varied, stimulating and engaging work that gives you an opportunity to interact with a wide range of experts in the financial, political, public and private sectors across the regions we invest in;
• A working culture that embraces inclusion and celebrates diversity;
• An environment that places sustainability, equality and digital  transformation at the heart of what we do.

Diversity is one of the Bank’s core values which are at the heart of everything it does.  A diverse workforce with the right knowledge and skills enables connection with our clients, brings pioneering ideas, energy and innovation. The EBRD staff is characterised by its rich diversity of nationalities, cultures and opinions and we aim to sustain and build on this strength. As such, the EBRD seeks to ensure that everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities and works in an inclusive environment. The EBRD encourages all qualified candidates who are nationals of the EBRD member countries to apply regardless of their racial, ethnic, religious and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities.  As an inclusive employer, we promote flexible working and expecting our employee to attend the office 50% of their working time.