Enterprise Architect

Job description

The Enterprise Architect is an individual contributor supporting architectural efforts within a business and technology portfolio. This role is ideal for professionals with a solid understanding of technology combined with strong analytical and problem-solving skills who are ready to grow into enterprise architecture. It offers exposure to strategic initiatives and enterprise-level thinking while supporting the development and execution of architectural roadmaps under the mentorship of Principal and Senior Principal Enterprise Architects. The Enterprise Architect contributes to aligning business strategy, technology investments, and architectural direction by supporting enterprise architecture activities including strategy development, business capability planning, architecture governance, technology road mapping, and cross-functional collaboration. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Performs a combination of duties in accordance with departmental guidelines: 1. Architecture Strategy & Portfolio Alignment Develop and maintain architecture strategy, target-state architecture, and technology vision within a defined portfolio. Lead the translation of business objectives into architectural roadmaps and technology initiatives that align with enterprise goals and standards. 2. Architecture Collaboration & Solution Alignment Collaborate with business leaders, product owners, system architects, engineering teams, and delivery organizations to ensure architectural direction, solution alignment, and successful execution throughout the development lifecycle. 3. Conceptual & Solution Architecture Contribution Contribute to the development of enterprise, conceptual, and solution architectures using modern architectural practices and design approaches, including API-driven, event-based, cloud-native, and loosely coupled architectures, under the guidance of senior architects. 4. Cross-Functional Engagement Partner with business and technology stakeholders to understand strategic priorities, business processes, and capability need while helping translate those requirements into aligned architectural technical solutions. 5. Documentation & Application Landscape Support Support the creation and maintenance of architectural artifacts, including application inventories, capability maps, technology roadmaps, architecture diagrams, risk assessments, and architectural standards. 6. Architecture Governance & Standards Compliance Participate in architecture governance activities, reviews, and strategic planning sessions. Ensure proposed solutions align with enterprise architecture principles, standards, security requirements, and technology strategies while escalating complex decisions when appropriate. 7. Technology Strategy & Innovation Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, industry trends, and architectural best practices. Contribute recommendations for technology adoption, modernization opportunities, and portfolio improvements. 8. Business Capability Planning & Road mapping Support the development of business capability models, target-state architectures, transition roadmaps, and investment priorities that enable strategic business outcomes. 9. Continuous Learning & Professional Development Engage in continuous learning and mentorship opportunities provided by Principal and Senior Principal Enterprise Architects to build architectural maturity, strategic thinking, systems thinking, and enterprise-wide perspective. 10. Enterprise Architecture Practice Development Contribute to the continuous improvement of enterprise architecture practices, governance processes, standards, frameworks, and reference architectures to enhance organizational effectiveness, technology consistency, and business outcomes. May perform additional duties as assigned. Reporting Relationship Typically AVP or above. Skills, Knowledge & Abilities 1. Strategic Thinking & Technical Foundation Demonstrates emerging strategic awareness and strong technical foundations, with the ability to contribute meaningfully to architecture discussions, technology evaluations, and solution planning. 2. Enterprise Architecture Knowledge Demonstrates knowledge of enterprise architecture principles, practices, and frameworks (e.g., TOGAF), with the ability to apply architectural thinking to business and technology challenges. Familiarity with software development lifecycles and delivery models is preferred. 3. Modern Architecture Practices Understands contemporary architectural disciplines and design approaches, including cloud-native architecture, API-first design, event-driven architecture, domain-oriented design, integration patterns, and modern application architectures. 4. Technology & Business Trend Awareness Maintains awareness of current technology, industry, and business trends, demonstrating curiosity and initiative in evaluating their relevance to business capabilities and technology portfolios. 5. Business Acumen & Process Understanding Possesses a foundational understanding of business capabilities, operating models, and business processes, enabling effective collaboration with business and technology stakeholders. 6. Communication & Stakeholder Collaboration Communicates effectively across business and technical audiences and collaborates with architects, business analysts, engineers, and leaders to support architectural clarity and alignment. 7. Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills Applies structured thinking and architectural analysis to address business and technology challenges, escalating complex decisions appropriately while contributing to architecture reviews and technology assessments. 8. Continuous Learning & Growth Mindset Actively engages in professional development, mentorship, and learning opportunities to build enterprise architecture expertise, strategic perspective, and systems thinking capabilities. 9. Governance & Risk Awareness Demonstrates an understanding of architecture governance, technology risk management, security considerations, and standards-based decision-making. Education & Experience 1. Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field; equivalent experience considered. 2. Typically 5-7 years of experience in technology roles such as software engineering, systems analysis, solution architecture, technology consulting, or related disciplines, with demonstrated technical proficiency and business acumen. 3. Exposure to enterprise architecture practices or participation in architecture-related initiatives preferred, including familiarity with enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF), architecture governance processes, technology strategy development, or capability planning. 4. Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, including business stakeholders, architects, engineers, analysts, and technology leaders to support architectural alignment and solution outcomes. 5. Demonstrated interest in architecture strategy, business and technology transformation, modern architectural practices, and emerging technologies, with a commitment to continuous learning and professional growth. 6. Experience in the commercial insurance industry or other regulated industries preferred. 7. Relevant certifications such as TOGAF, Google Cloud Professional Architect, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or comparable architecture and technology certifications preferred. The Company CNA Hardy is a leading specialist commercial insurance provider for clients within the Lloyd’s and company markets. We offer a highly specialised and comprehensive portfolio of innovative and market leading products. Coverage is available to businesses of all sizes for domestic, international and global exposures.