Principal Enterprise Architect

Tower Group

Midrand, Johannesburg
Permanent
Full-time

3 days ago

Develop and evolve the enterprise architecture blueprint, frameworks and target-state architecture, ensuring alignment with long-term business objectives and future-state technology vision.
Define and maintain architectural principles, domain strategies, and standardized reference models that support scalable, interoperable, and secure technology ecosystems.
Translate corporate strategy, regulatory mandates, and digital transformation goals into clear architectural initiatives and target-state designs.
Lead multi-year roadmap development across technology domains including applications, data, integration, infrastructure and security in collaboration with domain architects and delivery teams.
Continuously assess technology trends and emerging innovations to guide modernization and strategic platform selection.

Governance & Oversight

Chair Architecture & Design Review Boards (ARBs) to review, guide, and approve solution designs, ensuring consistency with enterprise standards and strategic objectives.

Define governance processes for architectural compliance, exception

management, and deviation tracking across business portfolios and technical teams.
Perform architecture assurance and gap assessments to identify technical risk, misalignment, and opportunities for consolidation or optimization.
Ensure ongoing enforcement and evolution of architecture policies, design standards, and lifecycle documentation for all enterprise assets.
Support audit readiness and regulatory compliance by embedding architecture governance in change delivery.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

Act as a strategic advisor to Head of Architecture, shaping investment decisions and prioritizing technology initiatives based on architectural insights.
Work closely with product managers, domain architects, engineers, and business analysts to co-create architectural solutions that meet functional and non-functional requirements.
Build alignment across multiple delivery streams and business units to ensure architecture decisions enable reusability, resilience, and cost-effectiveness.

Facilitate cross-functional design workshops, architecture forums, and technical deep-dives to enable

shared understanding and decision-making.
Represent the enterprise architecture function in vendor evaluations, technology partnerships, and RFP/RFI processes.

Architecture Delivery

Lead the design and evolution of enterprise-scale platforms, including cloud-native systems, Payment Systems, API gateways, service orchestration layers, event-driven architectures, and data lakes.
Guide the definition of architecture enablers and technical epics within agile planning cycles
Ensure timely delivery of architecture artifacts and technical blueprints to support sprint-level execution and platform runway readiness.
Monitor implementation of architectural designs to ensure conformance with standards and provide hands-on support in resolving complex design challenges.

Foster DevSecOps and platform engineering practices by integrating architecture with CI/CD pipelines, security automation, and observability frameworksTechnical Experience:Essential:· Proven track record in defining and evolving enterprise-wide architecture strategies, reference models, and technology roadmaps.· Deep understanding of enterprise architecture frameworks such as TOGAF, Zachman, or FEAF, and experience applying them in complex organizations.· Experience driving architecture transformations aligned to digital business models (e.g., omnichannel, platform as a service, composable architectures).· Demonstrated hands-on experience architecting across multiple domains, including:o Applications: Monolith to microservices decomposition, modernization, and lifecycle management.o Data: Master Data Management (MDM), data lakes, streaming pipelines (e.g., Kafka), and analytics platforms.o Integration: API-led design (REST, GraphQL), event-driven architecture, service mesh, and ESB replacement strategies.o Infrastructure & Cloud: Hybrid/multi-cloud architectures (AWS, Azure, GCP), container orchestration (Kubernetes), IaaS/PaaS adoption models.· Deep understanding of architectural implications for regulatory compliance frameworks (e.g., PCI-DSS, GDPR, ISO 27001).· Experience integrating Zero Trust Architecture, identity management (OAuth2, OpenID, SAML), and encryption protocols into enterprise design.· Familiarity with architecture risk assessments, threat modelling, and secure-by-design principles.· Experience of various software engineering playbook frameworks (Agile development, Automated testing, Code reviews, Continuous delivery, Continuous integration, Machine learning. Observability, Privacy, Reliability, Security)· Strong experience in designing high traffic, scalable, reliable, and secure software systems.· Knowledge of architectural styles and patterns (e.g., Microservices, SOA, MVC, Event-driven architecture).· Understanding of cloud architecture and services (e.g., serverless computing, containerization, orchestration).· Experience with data modelling, data warehousing, and data integration.· Experience in Mobile App Development and Mini-app Frameworks· Experience with architectural modeling tools (e.g., ArchiMate, Sparx EA)· Experience leading or supporting large-scale modernization or transformation programs (e.g., core banking revamp, mobile money overhaul, ERP replacement).Desirable· Experience of continuous delivery and release automation processes.· Experience in Blockchain Software Architecture, AI/ML-driven decision systems, edge computing, etc· Experience in Orchestration Architectural Patterns· Knowledge and interest in market leading Payments technologies, suppliers and innovations· Understanding of technical and architectural policies and ability to transform that policy into detailed technical design.· Experience in Vendor assessment and technical due diligence for major platform selections.Must have technical / professional qualifications:Educational Qualifications:· Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent work experience.· TOGAF, Zachman, or similar EA certification preferred.· 8 years technical background inclusive of software architecture, software design, software development in a large enterprise environment· Domain experience in Financial Services and Financial technologies will be an added advantage· Has demonstrable knowledge and experience in both Agile and Waterfall methodologies

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