Chief Architect (Enterprise Architecture)

Director/Sr. Director – Chief Architect (Enterprise Architecture)
Location: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Background:
Cognizant is enabling customer's Digital transformation journey using our proven "Digital at Scale" framework. Our "Digital at Scale" framework is based upon customer centric innovation and core modernization by using technology as transformation lever and being agile to bring time to market. Technology transformation involves moving from legacy landscape to new platform foundation and it helps us deliver enhanced customer experience, scalability, maintainability and security with reduced TCO (including CAPEX & OPEX).
In this transformation journey, an Enterprise Architect plays very important role in driving the overall solution strategy in context of the client ecosystem. To nurture and deliver a holistic competency in this space, Cognizant has established a strong delivery centric, technology rooted enterprise architecture function under the CTO organization for Europe and the UKI market. The CTO team focuses on complex delivery engagements & business growth solution pursuits and drives the agenda of end–to–end transformation by working with client stakeholders, internal service lines and industry partners. This job opportunity will fulfill the role of enterprise architect in this CTO organization of Cognizant Global Growth Markets (GGM).
Job Description
As an enterprise architect, you will play steering role in design and delivery of cloud–based, AI driven transformation of railway infrastructure management solution for large complex engagements to meet business growth and operational objectives. As part of the CTO team, you will leverage the combined capabilities of your fellow architects and solution SMEs from Cognizant and partners to steer the solution strategically. As the member of the engagement leadership team, you will hold accountability for the overall strategic architecture choices, system design, operational and software quality of the delivered solution and overall governance of the solution across business, technology and operational aspects. Overall the role demands a good mix of advisory, solutioning and hands–in technical implementations skills in contemporary data and intelligence centric software design styles and technology platforms.
Being part of the pan–European technology office, you will also have responsibility to collaborate with fellow architects and solution SMEs to develop thought leadership and asset base that will help us not just win new business but also help deliver high quality solution in a repeatable manner across engagements. Nurturing talent, enablement and evangelization are also expected to be areas of contribution from a practice perspective.
Key Responsibilities
?? Own architecture, design and implementation quality of the solution in context of engagements in complex programs.
?? Participate in implementation programs to contribute and oversee implementation of the solution propositions and ensure high quality software product delivery, risk & technical debt management, strategic alignment and operational readiness of the delivered solution.
?? Implement solution considerations across business, process, technology and operations with the help of fellow SMEs and service line colleagues
?? Develop relationship with Internal practices and technology partners to have joint solution offerings
?? Develop industry specific end to end solutions ideas by working with Industry team across Market and Delivery
?? Contribute to development of next generation architects and technology leads in CTO organization
?? Anchor and develop assets to be reused for delivery, business deals or market thought leadership–oriented initiatives
?? Foster an environment of collaboration, partnership, customer focus, quality, excellence, urgency, accountability, continuous improvement, and innovation
?? Anchor end to end solution for business growth pursuits within engagement, involving customer, internal and partner stakeholders.
Qualifications & Experience
?? 17+ years of experience in IT/Business/Consulting domain, focusing on architecting solutions of strategic importance to their organization/clients, especially in areas of data, analytics and cloud technologies
?? Experience as a Solution Lead/Delivery Lead in managing large busines or IT transformation initiatives as well as actual execution of large programs
?? Solid understanding of different software development lifecycle models and expert knowledge in agile and traditional principles, with the ability to blend processes to find the right fit for technology and business.
?? Understanding of the breadth of end to end technology stack and depth with one platform, especially contemporary cloud–oriented platforms being used in enterprise business software space.
?? Solid understanding of the role and positioning of IOT, Data & Analytics, cloud and Systems engineering in enterprise business software and digital transformation programs across industries
?? Experience in Java or .NET platform–based solution design and engineering projects in IaaS, PaaS or SaaS model
?? Expertise and demonstratable experience in contemporary cloud platforms (Azure, AWS or GCP), data and analytics technologies, architecture and design disciplines used in such solutions and finally operational quality of these systems (NFRs and post–production operational aspects)
?? Experience and knowledge of integration in context of hybrid landscape involving COTS (commercial off the shelf) products, SaaS offerings, om–prem legacy systems and emerging tech platforms.
?? Strong DevOps mindset with experience in devops engineering (CI, CD, IaC) aspects. A strong foundation on systems thinking, design thinking, complexity management and domain driven design paradigms is definitely advantageous.
?? Ability to communicate at all levels of the organization, supporting faster decision making, achieving clarity of purpose and alignment of goals and implementation tactics.
?? An ability to dynamically adapt to shifts in priorities and programs, resolving contention and solving problems across technology and our customers.
?? Strong business domain acumen and knowledge in railway (preferred) or associated industry. Strong capability to pick up adjacent business domains in case needed.
?? Ability to get their hands–dirty/roll–up the sleeves to "lead by example" on the ground. Software and systems engineering skills are essential.
About Cognizant
Cognizant (NASDAQ–100: CTSH) is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry–based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant is ranked 195 on the Fortune 500 and is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital at or follow