Solutions Architect - Enterprise Data Platform at ADvTECH

Overall Purpose of the Job

• Assesses the systems architecture currently in place and develops and implements systems architecture that will meet business needs. Works with specialists/developers to recommend/ create technology solutions to meet business requirements, in line with the IT strategy and architecture.
• The solution architect’s job entails making solution-level decisions and undertaking analyses of the impact on the overall business goals and outcomes. Establishes the technical direction of strategic projects, defining the strategies necessary to fulfil the stated vision, and providing expert advice to project teams regarding the design of major corporate systems. Ensures adherence to approved architectural designs throughout the project life cycle. Helps to define the roadmap.
• Designs, develops, and governs scalable and secure enterprise data architecture solutions across the organisation. This role enables integration across multiple business systems (e.g., SIMS, Brightspace, D365), aligns with governance and data strategies, and ensures architecture and integration supports enterprise reporting and analytics. The role ensures the architecture is modern, reusable, and aligned with ADvTECH’s strategic goals for both Schools and Tertiary.

Business Requirements & Specifications

• Solution Design and Architecture
• Design scalable and secure architecture solutions for enterprise reporting, analytics, and integration.
• Understanding of the Fabric licenses and functionality
• Develop conceptual, logical, and physical architecture diagrams for data flows and systems.
• Continually researches current and emerging technologies and proposes changes where needed
• Works closely with Information Technology professionals within the company to ensure technical resources are available for projects and working properly
• Reviews, interprets and responds to detailed business requirements specifications (BRS) to ensure alignment
• Maintains the Architecture Standards for the domain-specific development, deployment and management of application, information, communication and technology infrastructure.  Ensures that the documents are maintained

Intergration & Platform Enablement

• Define and manage integration frameworks for data exchange across D365, SIMS, Brightspace, and Fabric.
• Establish reusable integration patterns and data pipelines using Azure-native services. Assesses the business impact that certain technical choices will have
• Provides detailed specifications for proposed solutions
• Performs feasibility analysis on deployment ideas from business or Group IT to determine whether it is possible to implement. If not possible, suggests and motivates alternatives or requirements to make it feasible.
• Researches methods of implementations and techniques to ensure that the solutions provided are the most effective and encompassing
• Proposes and establishes the framework for necessary contributions from various capabilities
• Provides supervision and guidance to data engineering teams

Governance. Standards & Security

• Ensure architectural compliance with data governance, privacy, and security requirements.
• Work closely with data governance, applications, infrastructure and security teams to validate designs.
• Monitors and reviews the Data System Architecture Risks for the Group.
• Provides input to the Risk Register for the group.
• Advises stakeholders about potential risks and challenges with respect to technology architecture

Stakeholder Engagement and Advisory

• Advise IT and business stakeholders on architecture direction and implications.
• Participate in architectural review boards, technical forums, and vendor consultations.
• Accounts for possible project challenges or constraints including, risks, time, resources and scope
• Works closely with project management teams to successfully monitor progress of initiatives
• Defines clear goals for all aspects of a project and manages their proper execution.

Technichal Advisory and Consultation

• Ability to align long Term Strategies to Technologies
• Provides advice to technical communities of practice, product owners and business users.
• Consults with IT teams on enabling the new technology stack delivered by the programme.
• Researches material, sells concepts and encourages business to assess and refocus both its business and IT strategy towards the new solution and underpinning technologies.
• Acts as an escalation point for support staff to assist in resolving problems and establishing RCA.
• Trains staff/ users on system procedures.

Virtual Team Management

• Manages virtual teams of specialists across divisions including allocation of work commensurate with skills and availability
• Monitors performance and day to day delivery and overseeing of the virtual team
• Mentors, gides and trains virtual team members as necessary

Project Support

• Accounts for possible project challenges or constraints including, risks, time, resources and scope
• Works closely with project management teams to successfully monitor progress of initiatives
• Defines clear goals for all aspects of a project and manages their proper execution

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology (NQF Level 7)
• Business Process Analysis / Business Process Modelling or Architecture
• Azure or Microsoft Fabric certification
• Process Mapping
• Understanding for Architecture and design

Minimum Expereince Reqired:

• 8+ years of experience in enterprise data architecture, system integration, or data platforms
• Microsoft ecosystem experience (Azure Synapse, Data Factory, Power Platform, D365)
• Proven track record designing and implementing scalable data integration solutions
• Experience with stakeholder engagement, architecture documentation, and system governance