Director of Architecture at Rainforest Alliance

POSITION SUMMARY:

• We are seeking an experienced hands-on Director of Architecture to lead the enterprise-wide technology strategy, ensuring alignment between business goals and technology solutions. This role will be responsible for defining architectural standards, driving innovation, and overseeing a team of Enterprise, Solution, and Technical Architects.
• You will work closely with senior stakeholders, project and engineering teams, and business leaders to shape the future-state architecture, ensuring scalable, secure, and efficient technology solutions across the organisation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Enterprise & Solution Architecture Strategy

• Define and drive the technology architecture strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Establish and enforce architecture principles, standards, and best practices across the organisation.
• Ensure scalability, security, performance, and sustainability are embedded in architectural decisions.
• Develop roadmaps for enterprise systems, applications, cloud infrastructure, and data architecture.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Enterprise, Solution, and Technical Architects.
• Foster a collaborative and innovative architectural culture within the organisation.
• Drive consistency across architectural domains while allowing flexibility for agile delivery.
• As and when required provide leadership support across the Operations, Security and Solution delivery teams

Technology Governance & Compliance

• Own the technology governance framework, ensuring compliance with regulatory and security standards.
• Work closely with Cybersecurity, Data, Project and Engineering teams to mitigate architectural risks.
• Conduct architecture reviews to ensure projects align with enterprise goals and technical standards.
• Develop and implement IT policies, procedures, and best practices to ensure the security and integrity of the organisation's data and systems. Conduct risk assessments, implement appropriate controls, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement & Business Alignment

• Partner with business leaders, project, product teams, and engineering teams to shape technology solutions.
• Provide expert architectural guidance to senior executives and key decision-makers.
• Translate complex technical concepts into business-relevant insights.

Innovation & Emerging Technologies

• Stay ahead of technology trends and assess their potential impact on the organisation.
• Drive cloud adoption, digital transformation, and modernisation initiatives.
• Identify opportunities for automation, AI, and data-driven decision-making.

Delivery & Execution Support

• Oversee architectural input into major technology programmes and digital initiatives.
• Support Agile and DevOps delivery teams in adopting modern architecture patterns (e.g., microservices, event-driven, API-first design).
• Ensure smooth integration of third-party solutions, cloud platforms, and legacy systems.

KEY SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• Proven experience in a Director-level or Head of Architecture leadership role.
• Proven experience leading Operations and solution delivery teams.
• Strong expertise in Enterprise Architecture, Cloud Computing, Software Development, and Infrastructure.
• Deep knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), microservices, APIs, DevOps, and security best practices.
• Experience leading and scaling architecture functions in complex, global environments.
• Strong ability to bridge business needs with technical solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management, strategic thinking, communication and leadership skills.
• Experience with Enterprise Architecture frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman, SAFe for Architecture) and familiarity with Waterfall, Agile, SAFe, and DevOps methodologies.
• Strong technical background and hands-on experience with managing a large IT landscape.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Extensive experience of managing and leading people in matrix and ambiguous environments.
• Experience of multimillion programme delivery.
• Good understanding of the IT market and future trends.
• Team player able to deal with ambiguity and overlapping priorities.
• Worked in a fast-paced environment where delivering to tight deadlines is critical.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Desirable qualifications: Enterprise Architecture Certifications: TOGAF, SAFe Architect, AWS/Azure/GCP Solution Architect

WHY JOIN US:

• Be part of a forward-thinking organisation driving innovation through technology.
• Lead a high-impact architecture team driving digital transformation.
• Collaborate with a talented and diverse team of professionals.
• Enjoy a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for growth and advancement

Deadline: 07 March 2025