Job Description Summary

Responsible for providing technical leadership, analysis and design facilitation across business, information, technical and solution viewpoints and enterprise architecture. In conjunction with the chief architect, responsible for leading the effective integration of the Enterprise Architecture process with other related processes (i.e., investment, enterprise program, IT portfolio and project management) in the organization.

Perform cost-benefit analysis to determine appropriate architectural approaches for multiyear business initiatives and architecturally significant projects. Incorporate Architectural Trade-off Analysis Method (ATAM) and Cost-Benefit Analysis Method (CBAM). Perform top-down, order-of-magnitude estimates for technology development and operational activities. Develop and refine order-of-magnitude estimating models based on previous project actual costs and trends to improve accuracy of estimates. Provide Subject Matter Expert (SME) services to individual projects in the areas of architectural and technology selection decisions. Conduct research in emerging technologies and continuously identify technologies with high-potential business value and specify their appropriate usage in developing business solutions. Conduct technology trends studies and publish trend reports on an annual basis. Develop and integrate technology acceleration and innovation processes with the overall project management practices, E2E process, and software development lifecycle.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Analyze objectives and goals to identify common patterns, leverage points and consistent business needs across multiple business units and initiatives. Develop reference architectures and models for the major architectural domains: business, information, technical, and system architectures. Define multi-year architectural evolution and roadmaps for major products that align with the reference architectures.
  
• Analyze the business strategy of the Association and of the individual business units to define an IT strategy and enterprise architecture that enables the successful execution of the business strategies. Break down the business objectives and strategies into technical initiatives spanning multiple programs, projects, products, and releases.
  
• Serve as expert level advisor to business and IT management on architectural and technology topics, best practices, risks and opportunities. Represent BCBSA's architectural vision and strategic technology positioning at Association, Plan, and Industry-wide forums and events. Write and publish whitepapers and positioning documents representing BCBSA's vision and opinion on architectural and technology topics with Blue system-wide and industry-wide significance.
  
• Define architectural and technology standards. Establish Architecture Assurance processes and integrate them with the overall Association project management practices, E2E process, and software development lifecycle. Operate the BCBSA Architecture Review Board (ARB) as part of the Architecture Assurance process. Develop architectural templates and other standard artifacts to facilitate the Architecture Assurance process. Follow good documentation practices including producing and managing formal artifacts, as well as writing clean, readable, and standards-compliant architectural artifacts.
  
• Provide clear direction, coaching and support to business and technical staff on project teams. Recommend, define, and establish cross functional organizational structures that facilitate the successful achievement of architectural consistency and business alignment.
  

Required Education, Certifications and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science or Engineering, Information Systems, Business Administration, Engineering or Science field, and / or equivalent work experience in similar work environment.
  
• Minimum 15 years of IT or software development work experience including enterprise architecture, software and system architecture, business analysis and business process architecture, application system design and implementation, technical team leadership
  
• In-depth knowledge of state-of-the-art programming languages and object-oriented approaches in designing, coding, testing and debugging programs
  
• Extensive use of Project Management methodologies
  
• Advanced analytical and conceptual skills
  
• Ability to create original concepts/theories for various projects
  
• Advanced leadership skills
  
• Ability to perform cost benefit analysis, business case development, and financial justification
  
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
  
• Understands and consistently applies the attributes and processes of current application development methodologies
  
• Strong research skills in emerging technologies and possible application to the business
  
• Ability to maintain key relationships to achieve business objectives
  

Preferred Education, Certifications and Experience

• Graduate degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or Management
  
• Expert level understanding of the health insurance industry