Solution Architect

The Solution Architect role will be someone who can help PL Re to understand and build capability in Solution design and architecture to ensure that business requirements are met through effective technology solutions that evolve over time for the maximum business benefit at the lowest cost. The role will be key in the design and implementation of cohesive end-to-end global platforms and standardisation of business processes and data flows. The overarching Enterprise Architecture function will be tasked with establishing the right level of architectural governance, decision-making and support across the overall technology stack.

The role will be part of the Enterprise Architecture function to ensure all architectural decisions are in alignment with the strategic directions of the business as well as our policies, procedures and best practice guidelines. Though the role can involve work across the business there will be particular focus with the Business Transformation programme, working directly with the Enterprise Architect on and linking into the wider Architecture team.

The Unify (Business Transformation) programme is cross-functional, driving and overseeing all Back Office related Change/Transformation activity; this is initially anticipated to be delivered under the banner of Unify, prior to transitioning to Business-as-Usual activity.

Solution Architecture is a key function, and this role will cross all functional areas of the programme and the business (particularly Finance, Corporate Actuarial or Operations) and has a global remit across multiple territories; it therefore requires a deep understanding of Business Processes, and will work closely with the Functional Leads, Senior Programme Manager, programme workstreams as well as with other business SME's. The role involves a significant amount of engagement across the business, as well as providing exposure to senior management.

Responsibilities:

1. Interpret business needs and requirements and design/develop technical solutions to deliver the desired business capabilities.
2. Collaborate with Enterprise Architects and other Solution Architects and engineers to architect and design technical solutions that are aligned with enterprise technology standards and strategy, while also working to help develop and grow those developing/maturing standards and roadmaps.
3. Works across multiple systems/solutions to ensure their consistency and alignment, as well as to determine how multiple systems/solutions can work together to serve a particular line of business and/or to ensure that a solution works across lines of business.
4. Leverage experience and expertise across a wide variety of technology domains, including infrastructure, data management, systems integration, and application development.
5. Employ and enforce system/solution develop processes, agile methodologies, DevOps principles and practices, and quality engineering best practices.
6. Exercise concepts and best practices for designing system reliability/resilience, performance/scalability and maintainability/operability.
7. Provide technical oversight to multiple project teams to ensure compliance with processes and standards. Ensure that solutions/systems developed in support of the business are aligned with Enterprise Architecture, technical standards, and technology roadmaps.
8. Organise Architecture and Design Reviews to ensure wider architecture peer group input is sought for robust design.
9. Conduct proof of concept exercises for emerging solutions and prove out potential enhancements to the design.
10. Develop designs that are implemented with target architecture and key design decisions accounted for and clearly communicated to leadership and all key stakeholders.
11. Own and review prospective changes to the baseline solution that have been raised by process owners, projects, production support, continuous improvement initiatives and the business for architectural impact.
12. Participate in the Change Request Boards of projects and programs where there is the likelihood of potential change to the solution.
13. Establish and embed the PL Re architecture principles to guide technology selection, emerging technologies, development and maintenance.
14. Simplification and consolidation, working alongside the business and Global Technology teams across PL Re to reduce duplication of systems; 3rd party packages and databases etc; and management of technical debt and legacy/unsupported software.
15. Own the solution design / review within the Accelerating Workstream of the Unify Programme, helping to identify and deliver quick wins to the business on a "no-regrets" basis and understanding tie into wider solutions and initiatives.
16. Providing Architecture guidance and support for cross-program, and cross-project Architecture strategies, opportunities, and problem resolution. The majority of work will be across projects within a large-scale Business Transformation Programme currently initiating - though there are additional live / upcoming business projects that will also be covered.
17. Embed strong Architectural Governance to ensure policies; procedures; principles and best-practice is followed.
18. Closely interact with the Workstream Lead, business analysts, business areas and other functions to develop and maintain a strong understanding of the Back Office processes within PL Re to:
19. Effectively use this knowledge to propose and develop solutions that enable the standardisation of processes and increase process automation to across the PL Re Back office based on business priority.
20. Develop Mutual understanding of current and future business requirements and the ability of the Technology function to provide a solution cross Actuarial/Finance/Operations functions.
21. To ensure effective delivery of solutions from design through to implementation will require:
22. Effective communication to all stakeholders in line with Change Management best practice and the PL Re decision making framework, ensuring affected parties are aware of the change and offered opportunity to input.
23. Clear understanding of the functional and non-functional business requirement and how these are achieved with point solutions as well as linking in with solutions across the programme and existing estate.
24. Helping to define and mature effective testing of new process and system developments is completed in line with the relevant testing framework.

Qualifications & Expertise

Industry Knowledge

1. Demonstrable understanding of the life insurance (or reinsurance) industry (desirable).
2. Broad knowledge of the activities and processes involved in operating a global (re)insurance company, with deep knowledge of functional area (Actuarial/Finance/Operations) processes (desirable).
3. Knowledge of relevant technology and software packages used within the (re)insurance industry (desirable).

Technical Expertise

1. Strong technical background with a solid track record of delivering solutions and developing/forming an overarching architectural roadmap.
2. Deeper appreciation of interoperability / connectivity in a hybrid infrastructure.
3. Several years' experience as a Solutions Architect in a global organisation.
4. Ability to articulate complex technical concepts to different stakeholders at PL Re.
5. Group session facilitation.
6. Team/matrix leadership.
7. Analysis and design (modelling and graphical representations).

Personal Skills

1. Strong communication (both written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, demonstrating ability to build effective relationships with individuals of all levels.
2. Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with high degrees of ambiguity arising from a period of significant change.
3. Strong stakeholder management and interpersonal skills.
4. Ability to facilitate difficult discussions and conflicting demands between various stakeholders.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills with attention to detail.
6. Excellent problem-solving skills, with ability to work independently and by collaborating with others.

Working For Pacific Life Re

Every person in our global team is valued for the unique qualities they bring to our business and we seek to build their expertise and support their individual ambitions at every step. Of course, we take our work seriously and we know our team can operate under great pressure. We work hard and thrive on achievement, but we also know how to have fun and relax too. We regularly host a range of team building days to strengthen our team's connection with each other and reflect on their successes.

Providing employees with a healthy work-life balance is very important to our culture. We have a wide range of employee benefits and we host regular social activities and well being initiatives. We are also committed to supporting our employee's involvement in their communities, by actively fundraising, hosting charity events and overseeing volunteering opportunities.

Benefits (Only for Permanent and Fixed Term Employees)

• Subsidised Gym Membership
• Season Ticket Loan
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Wellness Benefits

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we will provide reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process to ensure equal access to applicants with disabilities. Please contact us about your needs so that we can discuss these with you to make sure that suitable adjustments are made, where possible.

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