Lead Solution Architect

• Title: Lead Solution Architect

  Ref: 23/2/LSA

  About Us

  At Allstate Northern Ireland, we believe it’s more than just a job.  We believe in allowing our people to choose the direction of their careers.  It’s about you, your future and where you want to get to.

  Opportunity is the hallmark of the Allstate career experience.  We invest heavily in our employees, offering long term career development, personal growth and investment in new technologies.  Every day is different, with new ideas, challenges, and rewards — no matter which team you join.

  We believe that inclusive diversity is crucial to creating a culture of mutual respect where the strengths and talents of each individual are recognised.  We like to leave things better than we found them and deliver results.  We do all of this while having fun and exploring personal passions.

  Join our team and you’ll find challenge and reward in a culture of innovation, support and balance.

  Location

  Belfast/Northland/Strabane

  Your role in the team

  Allstate Technology Architecture plays a fundamental role in aligning Allstate’s business and technology strategies.  Architects work with their business and technology delivery partners to define and document technology that drives our business will look like in the future and how it fits into the broader vision of Allstate’s technology and capabilities landscape.

  We are pleased to announce that we currently have an opening for a Lead Architect within the Content, Collaboration and Messaging domain.

  This position will align you within a team of experienced Allstate architects, with the goal of helping you to develop your talents and providing you will the specific skills and resources necessary to establish a verdant career within Allstate Technology Architecture. 

  As an architect you will: 

  • Lead a team of architects responsible for the Content, Collaboration and Messaging domain
  • Identify and share forward-looking technical capabilities to inform business direction/roadmap development for the Content, Collaboration and Messaging domain
  • Define, maintain and communicate TSA principles, standards, and design patterns with collaboration from our partners
  • Leverage vended applications and other building blocks to solve business problems in the Content, Collaboration and Messaging domain
  • Partner with business teams to discover and frame business objectives, and to develop technology solutions to fit the business objectives.
  • Partner with technology teams to ensure the solution design is appropriately understood and implemented and aligns with TSA principles and standards
  • Identify architectural improvement opportunities and architecture concerns in the Content, Collaboration and Messaging domain and partner to implement them
  • Drive a common shared understanding of TSA outcome within the Content, Collaboration and Messaging domain
  • Be a trusted partner with the business and DCIO software engineering delivery teams
  • Ensure the actual software product implementation is based on the architecture design and is improving re-use across the enterprise. If it is not, then escalate to Architecture Review Board (ARB), Strategic Technology Council (STC), Information Security Council (ISC), and Enterprise Data Council where appropriate

  So, what are the essential criteria to apply?

  • All candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK
  • At least 5 years’ experience designing and developing software applications
  • Prior experience in the following technologies: Microsoft O365, Microsoft Teams, Sharepoint Online, Microsoft O365 Productivity Apps (OneNote, Planner, etc.), O365 Power Platform, Microsoft Streams, OneDrive, Exchange, Zoom, Mobile Device Management (InTune)
  • Knowledge of fundamental web, mobile and cloud development & security practices
  • Experience of developing and designing solutions using standard patterns, practices, and frameworks in an enterprise environment
  • Strong interpersonal and communication (verbal and written) skills
  • Ability to lead other architects
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision 
  • Ability to collaborate with and guide development teams to comply with standards
  • Previous experience as an architect or a similar role
  • Ability to prioritize and manage work to critical product timelines in a fast-paced environment.

  We also have some desirable criteria

  • Previous experience in Content, Collaboration and Messaging technologies and business domain  
  • Understanding of the following delivery practices: XP, agile scrum, Waterfall, and
  • SaFEKnowledge of, or experience with Architectural design tools

  What we offer

  As Digital DNA’s Workplace of the Year 2020 winners, we offer a generous benefits package that includes flexible annual leave entitlement, dental and healthcare insurance, an attractive pension package and discounts on gym memberships, public transport and parking.

  Allstate invests heavily in your development, as an employee you will have access to multiple world-class learning platforms and courses from our award-winning in-house Learning & Development team.

  We pride ourselves in providing clear career paths and opportunities for internal mobility allowing you to further develop within the organisation.

  We encourage a better work life balance and you’ll have the opportunity to apply for various flexible working arrangements.

  Statement on Fair Employment and Equal Opportunities

  Allstate NI wishes to ensure equal opportunity is given to all job applicants.  This company will not discriminate on the grounds of race, gender (including gender reassignment status), sexual orientation, religious belief, political opinion, marital status, age or disability.

  We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons. However, as women are currently under-represented in our workforce, we would particularly welcome applications from women. All appointments will be made on merit.

  Applicants should note Allstate NI complete AccessNI background checks on all candidates offered a position.

  The closing date for receipt of applications is Tuesday 9^th March