Software Solution Architecture Advisor

Division: Special Markets Location: Vancouver would be preferred, but open to candidates in BC, Calgary or Quebec City Working Conditions: Working Remotely (with need to come into the office 4 times a year); Working Status: Full time Permanent

Are you looking for a new challenge where you can utilize your knowledge and expertise to drive and support the strategic growth of our Special Markets Division. Join the collaborative and innovative teams of SHIELD and iAvengers where you will have the opportunity for continuous learning and career development.

At iA Financial Group, you will have all the tools you need to reach your professional goals. You will be working in a fast-growing company with many technological tools and team members.  At iA Financial Group, there are over 1000 employees in the information technology (IT) teams.

This role of ‘Software Solution Architecture Advisor’ covers a mandate (but not limited to) helping our business partner (iA Special Markets) in supporting and maintaining the IT system applications they rely on.  This role is also responsible for developing an architectural roadmap, including the planning for technological obsolescence, and contributing to the strategic roadmap so that are partners achieve their goals.

Responsibilities:

• Translate requirements into solutions and ensure that delivery is aligned with all aspects of our system and architectural standards and design

• Reinforce and ensure standards are adhered to for the implementation of both functional and non-functional requirements

• Provide technological expertise and recommendations for the use of new design approaches (e.g. cloud), security, in order to optimize performance, and service-levels (availability, stability))

• Participate, support, and help develop our IT processes

• Ensure that we meet our legal and regulatory obligations (e.g. vulnerabilities), and suggest improvements

• Provide governance leadership for solution reviews, as well as propose, review and approve architecture decisions in accordance with enterprise frameworks

• Ensure that we apply solution integration and linkages with affected ecosystems in a way that minimizes potential problems and, when likely or unavoidable, propose pragmatic workarounds

• Ensure the integrity and quality of the solution - from design to delivery (end-to-end) - including in-process supervision and validation of requirements against test results

• Provide multi-disciplinary leadership to the solution delivery team (designers, analysts, developers, etc.) and peripheral collaborators, including external suppliers

• Collaborate to ensure project success including acting to facilitate schedule, scope and budget management

• Maintain traceability of architectural decisions, certify technical project documents, and ensure that valid and accurate technological documentation is maintained (e.g., Functional Specifications, Systems Standards, Flow Diagrams)

• Ensure the application of the methodology and the architecture process are aligned within the organization

• With the support of and collaboration of the Enterprise Architecture team, ensure the preservation of standards, best practices, and participate in their evolution to ensure compliance with enterprise frameworks, processes, use of standard tools, and other architectural methods

• Submit and help manage requests for derogations (waiver request for exceptions) as needed

• Act as the Asset Portfolio Manager within the enterprise repository to ensure that it is up to date and accurate and maintain visibility on upcoming technological obsolescence

• Plan and work with various experts and teams to conduct effective risk assessments, recovery, and business continuity plans

• Provide recommendations for the priority and solutions for addressing risk mitigation action items, and technological obsolescence

• Participate and act as a member of the Lean Portfolio Management team, by assisting with strategic planning and analysis for upcoming initiatives

• Constantly monitor architecture trends that comply with the company's norms and standards

Desired Profile:

• Warm and friendly personality and a person who values working with a close-knit team

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, and the ability to participate effectively in difficult situations

• Experience with the following: SQL Server, Bootstrap, .NET Framework, ASP.NET, SSRS, React, C#, Azure DevOps, App Dynamics, building NuGet packages, Agile/Scrum/Kanban

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, business intelligence, information systems, computer or software engineering, mathematics, or at least 10 years of relevant experience with proven performance

• 12 years of experience in information technology and a minimum of 3 years as an architecture professional in various projects and large organizations

• Demonstrated leadership of multi-disciplinary teams of internal and external resources

• Ability to handle multiple dimensions of a complex project simultaneously

• Strong interest in innovative technologies

• Experience with container orchestration tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)

• Understanding of various integration patterns (e.g., Pub/Sub, CQRS, Event Sourcing, etc.)

• Natural leader with the ability to influence and guide others, especially solution delivery teams and collaborators on the periphery of their scope

• Strong tolerance for ambiguity, uncertainty, and frequent change

• Knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g. TOGAF, Zachman, etc.)

• Experience designing high volume, high availability applications and systems

• Good knowledge/understanding of key strategic IT technologies

• Experience working with SDLC (Software Development Lifecycle), Azure DevOps, Agile methodologies, MVP, LEAN and Scrum

What would be an Asset but not required:

• Proven knowledge of the financial services and insurance industry

• Experience in digital transformation and large-scale projects

• Experience with Mainframe (COBOL, DB2) and/or PowerBuilder applications

• Bilingualism in French both written and verbal communication

What iA Offers:

• A competitive compensation plan that also includes an annual bonus for all permanent employees

• We value and encourage our employees to have a good work life balance and so on top of vacation we offer Personal Leave Days

• To encourage an active and healthy lifestyle, we have a generous Wellness plan that covers physical activity and wellness expenses.

• A medical and dental plan for our employees and their dependents as well as a Health Spending Account to cover costs not covered by our plan

• A Defined Benefit Pension plan to take care of you in retirement.

• A home office equipment program to ensure that you have the best working environment.

• Participation in our Share Purchase Plan with matching contributions from iA

• Your development and continuous improvement are important to us! We offer an Education Assistance Program to ensure you have the tools and knowledge to grow your career here at iA.

Compensation

The typical hiring range for this position is from $85,000 and $110,000 annually; the base pay offered may vary depending on skills, job-related knowledge, experience, and internal equity. All permanent employees of iA are also entitled to an annual bonus.

At iA, we are committed to a fair, market-based and equitable compensation structure. Our market data is refreshed on an annual basis to reflect the most current market conditions