Solution Architect

Competition 842

This competition is open to all applicants however internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta in the past 18 months will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

This position is to fill three vacant roles.

This position is a part of the Association of the Academic Staff of the University of Alberta (AASUA).

In accordance with the Administrative and Professional Officer Agreement, this full-time continuing position offers a comprehensive benefits package found on our Benefits Overview page and annual salary range of $76,395 to $127,323.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work takes place at multiple UofA sites (North Campus Edmonton OR Campus Saint-Jean Edmonton OR Augustana Camrose OR South Campus Edmonton OR Enterprise Square). 

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of  knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 14,000 faculty and staff, over 40,000 students and 260,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

Working for the Department

Information Services and Technology (IST) is the central IT department for the UofA.

We support approximately 13,000 customers mainly at our North Campus location however we do have an office in Enterprise Square and a couple other remote locations but these generally have fixed resources. Our day to day ranges from working with individuals on enabling them with technology to defining the strategies that will change how the University delivers on its mission and serves the community. All while maintaining a high level of customer service.

We are in the midst of a multiyear initiative to transform IT service delivery at the UofA. Change is the norm, and university culture is the focus. As the “face” of IST, our team members are the ambassadors of our mission.

We're excited you're here - let's get started.

Position 

Reporting to the Chief Enterprise Architect, the Solution Architect is an IST resource that designs and oversees the implementation of technology solutions that meet the business needs and objectives of the University. To perform this role, the Solution Architect needs to have skills such as analytical thinking, design thinking, systems thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and technical expertise.

The Solution Architect acts as the primary contact for the design and decision aspects of assigned information technology concerns that support the University’s strategic directions, initiatives, and service developments that manifest in the form of projects or programs. The Solution Architect cultivates and maintains strong working relationships with senior IST and faculty/college/central unit stakeholders. The position consults with key sponsors to understand the goals and objectives for a specific initiative, project, or program, and using their expertise, provide advice on the effective delivery of technology solutions. This includes supporting the planning, execution, and delivery of mission critical programs/projects that meet the needs and objectives of the institution. The role also participates in the IT governance process through the review and assessment of proposals submitted through the technology governance process as needed.

The Solution Architect is expected to collaborate internally with stakeholders, such as business analysts, project managers, developers, testers, and end users, as part of a combined solution delivery team. The Solution Architect also evaluates and selects the appropriate technologies, tools, processes and products to create the Solution Architecture that meets the stated objectives and is also feasible, scalable, secure, and maintainable. The Solution Architect documents and communicates the solution architecture to the relevant parties via models and work products, and provides guidance and support throughout the solution development life cycle. The Solution Architect collaborates with other architects and subject matter experts to ensure that developed solution architectures are consistent and compatible with the enterprise solution architecture (ESA), guided by the Enterprise Architecture Principles and under the stewardship of the Chief Enterprise Architect.

Duties 

- Interpret Business Needs

• Translates business and technical requirements into an architectural blueprint to achieve strategic business objectives; documents all solution architecture design and analysis work.
• Works closely with IST and university leadership to ensure a robust architectural runway that can support future business requirements o Understands business drivers and business capabilities (future and current state) and determines corresponding enterprise solution designs and change requirements to drive the organization's targeted business outcomes.

- Assesses Technology

• Monitors the current-state solution portfolio to identify deficiencies through aging of the technologies used by the application, or misalignment with business requirements.
• Understands emerging technology trends and disruptions and their practical application to enable new and evolving business and operating models.
• Analyzes the business-IT environment to detect critical deficiencies, legacy and technical debt, and also recommends solutions for improvement.
• Facilitates the evaluation, selection and lifecycle considerations of software product standards and services, as well as the design of standard and custom software configurations.

- Design Solutions

• The Solution Architect evaluates and selects the appropriate technologies, tools, processes and products to create the Solution Architecture that is feasible, scalable, secure, and maintainable.
• The Solution Architect documents and communicates the solution architecture to the relevant parties, and provides guidance and support throughout the solution development life cycle.
• The Solution Architect ensures that developed solution architectures are consistent and compatible with the Enterprise Solution Architecture (ESA) and Enterprise Architecture Principles (EAPs).

- Technology Governance

• Actively participates in the review and assessment of proposals submitted through the technology governance processes, engaging IST and other University stakeholders as required.
• Provides guidance, advice, and support to the University community regarding the technology governance processes.
• Supports IST Directors and Managers in the definition, assessment and prioritization of IST-driven and managed projects and initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in an area of Information Technology, Business, or an area of related study
• A minimum of five years of experience in at least two IT solution development disciplines, including but not limited to technical or infrastructure architecture, network management, application development, middleware development, database management or cloud development
• Good understanding of strategic and emerging technology trends, and the practical application of existing and emerging technologies to new and evolving business and operating models
• Good understanding of product management, agile principles and development methodologies and capable of supporting agile teams by providing advice and guidance on opportunities, impact and risks, taking account of technical and architectural debt
• Practical experience in delivering projects under project management principles
• Hands-on experience with different modelling languages (UML and ArchiMate preferred)
• Proficient in translating future-state business capabilities and requirements into solution architecture requirements
• Proven analytical, planning, organizational, technical, strategic, and relationship-building skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Organizationally savvy, with the ability to navigate organizational politics with tact and ease
• Skilled at influencing, guiding and facilitating stakeholders and peers with decision-making
• Ability to articulate new ideas and concepts to technical and non-technical audiences alike
• Skilled at understanding the long-term ("big picture") and short-term perspectives of organizational decision-making and problem solving