Enterprise Architect I - Technology at The Shoprite Group of Companies

Purpose of the Job    
As a strategic technologist and technology visionary the Technology Enterprise Architect is a proven expert and thought-leader in complex IT transformations and architectures including platform modernization, enterprise systems, digital transformation, cloud deployment, software defined network, etc. The Technology Enterprise Architect shapes the Shoprite technology landscape and strategy in partnership with Shoprite’s senior technical leadership to enable Shoprite’s business strategy focused on innovation and growth.

Job Objectives    
Influencing and inspiring strategic stakeholders to champion technology investments
• Acting as a technology evangelist and technology strategist to demonstrate, share and realize technology innovation.
• Using both technology- and business-outcome to facilitate informed conversations with executives to influence priorities and promote investments in technology.
• Leading and motivating the drive for infrastructure modernization, including hybrid multi-cloud, edge computing, containerization and automated, programmable infrastructure.
• Recommending and advising business leaders on the business opportunities and advantages presented by investments in key technologies.
• Providing consultative advice and actionable recommendations to business executives who makes technology investment decisions.

Identifying strategic technology imperatives
• Performing trendspotting on major disruptive technologies and identifying technology imperatives (technology modernization, technology standardization, cybersecurity, cloud, automation, IOT, process mining, DevSecOps, site reliability engineering, etc.) to make recommendations on technology initiatives (POCs, experimentation, technology incubation projects, etc.) that will enable Shoprite with a competitive technology advantage.
• Identifying technology platforms and architectures required to enable digital business products and services.
• Identifying key technology portfolios that support critical business processes and linking technologies to business outcomes.
• Formulating cloud transition strategies considering possible deployment options and implementation challenges.

Shaping and directing enterprise technology selection
• Identifying strategic technology vendors for critical enterprise business solutions and for emerging/trending technologies to enable innovation and differentiation.
• Developing relationship with strategic vendors and influencing them to align their roadmaps to Shoprite’s technology transformation strategy.
• Defining measurable technology outcomes, such as readiness and availability of technology stacks, to business outcomes of critical business processes.
• Defining technology architecture principles that strategically guide the selection, use and deployment of all Shoprite technologies.
• Shaping and directing enterprise level technology standards with consideration of the strategic technology vendors.

Formulating technology strategy, architectures, and implementation roadmaps
• Contributing to the IT strategy content and developing an enterprise technology visions and strategy with an implementation roadmap (including Objectives and Key Results) and reference architecture definition that links the achievement of the technology strategy to the business outcomes they support.
• Creating a ready set of technology reference architectures for easy reusability.
• Determining infrastructure technical debt (business, operational, technical and financial fitness) and detecting critical deficiencies in the technology environment to recommend solutions for improvement and prioritization of technology modernization investments.
• Presenting proposed IT technology investment roadmaps that reflect the status of the existing and required Technology Solutions and its ability to contribute to future-state business capabilities around ecosystems and digital platforms.
• Creating strategic level end-to-end technology and infrastructure architectures for key strategic transformation projects or as needed.
• Conducting assessments and reviews of Enterprise, Domain and Solution architectures as part of the Architecture Review Board, balancing immediate and strategic needs.

Championing the Enterprise Architecture Technology Capability
• Positioning the Enterprise Architecture practice at the intersection of Business and IT and promoting the business value of Enterprise Architecture as an enabler of strategy formulation.
• Leading the creation and maturing of the Enterprise Architecture capability that is a trusted and respected advisory service selected by executives to consult on the development and execution of business and technology strategy.
• Establishing adaptive Enterprise Architecture governance mechanisms that strike a balance between risk and agility.
• Providing active guidance and mentorship to other architects and improving the Enterprise Architecture practice continuously with the wider architecture team.
• Contributing to the development of the Enterprise Architecture Framework and Enterprise Architecture Capability, by detailing and sharing knowledge and standard methodologies with peer Architects.
Qualifications    
Computer Science/Engineering/Architecture/Software degree or equivalent science degree
Experience    

• 15 yrs working experience within the IT industry
• 5 years experience technology consulting with CxO level executives for large enterprise programs
• 10 years experience shaping IT strategy and roadmaps and developing, managing, and implementing technology roadmaps and portfolios
• 5 years experience deep expertise in cloud technologies, tools, services, hyperscalering offerings, environments and methodologies
• 5 years experience architecting large complex systems within the cyber, digital modernization, and/or software domain
• 5 years experience participating in RFx technology acquisition processes
• 12 years experience contributing technology expertise to IT Programmes, Projects and Products from business analysis, architectures, system analysis and design through development, testing, implementation, and production
• 10 years experience successfully leading architects and technical teams to implement and integrate enterprise level solutions in a complex multi-cloud environment
• 10 years experience collaborating with program managers, project managers, and business stakeholders to delivery technologies
• 12 years experience managing and mentoring technology teams and talent in both business applications and operational areas (desirable)
• 5+ years experience in retail industry experience with an understanding of retail business processes. (desirable)

Knowledge and Skills    

• 5 years knowledge formulating technology strategy, architectures, and implementation roadmaps
• 10 years knowledge creating Enterprise, Domain, and Solution level Architectures and Architecting and designing Technology Platforms, Storage Infrastructure, Enterprise Applications, Enterprise Hybrid Cloud, and Cloud Native Solutions
• Cloud Certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• 10 years knowledge of strategy frameworks and best practices such as TOGAF, ITIL, ISO 27001, CobiT, Balanced Scorecard, etc. (desirable)
• Expert knowledge of business ecosystems, SaaS, PaaS, PaaS, SOA, APIs, microservices, event-driven IT and predictive analytics (desirable)

Job related skills

• Demonstrated ability to influence and consult to CxO level executives while providing thought leadership to sponsors/stakeholders in solving problems
• Ability to influence and persuade others, as well as handle difficult negotiations requiring a well-developed sense of strategy
• Proficiency with information management practices, system development life cycle management, IT services management, agile and lean methodologies, infrastructure and operations, and EA and ITIL frameworks.
• Excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) with strong presentation and facilitation skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, customer-centric attitude, ability to deal with cultural diversity
• Leadership capacity to provide advice and guidance in a timely fashion to operationalize strategic plans, manage complex bids, and coach staff simultaneously
• Leadership capabilities to facilitate teamwork to achieve business goals while promoting a culture of common purpose
• Ability to work as a self-starter, take initiative, and execute tasks with minimal supervision