Solution Architect

Company: CGL
Department: IT-Solutions Delivery P/C
Employment Type: Regular Full-Time
Work Model: Hybrid (2 days in office)
Language: This role operates in English.
Additional Information: This/these role(s) is/are currently vacant

We are a leading Canadian financial services co-operative committed to being a catalyst for a sustainable and resilient society and our team is essential to deliver on this strategy.  That’s why we prioritize our people, to ensure we provide a strong culture and development opportunities which enables our team to thrive and to live our purpose.  The best part is that you will work with people that care passionately about you, our clients and our communities.

The Solution Architect works closely with and informally directs other IT professionals in various areas (e.g. Infrastructure & Operations staff, applications development teams, other Solution Designers, and Enterprise Architects) on design/development considerations and techniques to enforce consistency, reusability, and optimization across the enterprise, while balancing numerous factors including but not limited to operational stability, feasibility and availability of the enterprise application integrations and resources to support delivery.

This role will have a focus on the architecture for our Guidewire platform, which will include providing solutions for both functional and integration areas, as well as finding solutions to key business problems. 

• Evaluate the feasibility of enterprise integration architecture concepts and determine practical approaches to implement and meet the business needs. Translate the conceptual architecture into common services and plans.
• Analyze the current application/technology/data environments to detect critical deficiencies and recommend solutions for improvement.
• Oversee design of enterprise applications/major critical infrastructure/data models. In alignment with enterprise architecture direction/strategy/standards, provide leadership and direction to business areas in the definition of business requirements, the resolution of business and technology issues, the identification of opportunities for technology usage, and the selection and/or design of technology solutions.
• Initiate and lead in design/code reviews and architectural compliance activities to help ensure that designs are in accordance with Information Technology (IT) strategies, standards, and plans.
• Provide consultation and support on various tasks related to application/technology/data integration or system development. As lead resource, organize, direct and control the activities carried out by the team, managing changes, issues, integration points and risks.
• Research best practices within the Guidewire platform, stay current on the Guidewire roadmap and provide leadership in the adoption of new components.
• Participate in developing new product standards and design of standard production configurations and oversee or consult on the implementation and modification activities for applications/technical infrastructure, particularly for new and shared solutions.

• Diploma or Degree in Information Technology or Computer Science with at least 7 years relevant progressive IT experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Diploma or Degree in Information Technology or Computer Science with at least 7 years relevant progressive IT experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Technical Competencies in design principles, methodologies, tools, and techniques as well as enterprise architecture principles, best practices, and standards.
• Expert knowledge of Guidewire architecture and development practices, with ability to document and communicate best practices to business and technical team members.
• Proficient at evaluating new technical solutions for the Guidewire platform, including features that may not be generally available or not currently used by our company.
• Guidewire technical certifications will be considered an asset.
• Proficiency in English is essential to the main duties in this role, including servicing and communicating primarily with majority non-francophone clients, groups, teams. Drafting complex English documents and preparing daily reports for anglophone leaders. The essential non-French duties are not assignable to adjacent or other team members.

• You have an innovative mindset to improve operational efficiencies and ability to influence change, with a primary focus on client needs.
• You use critical thinking skills to recognize assumptions, evaluate arguments, draw conclusions and proactively propose solutions.
• You have strong communication skills to clearly convey messages and explore diverse points of view.
• You build trusting relationships and provide guidance to support the development of colleagues.

• You will be subject to a Background check as a condition of employment, in the event you are the successful candidate.

• Training and development opportunities to grow your career.
• Flexible work options and paid time off to support your personal and family needs.
• A holistic approach to your well-being, with physical and mental health programs and a supportive workplace culture.
• Paid volunteer days to give back to your community.
• In addition to our competitive salary and incentive programs, eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive total rewards package including group retirement savings plans, pension and benefits (e.g., health and wellness, dental, disability and life coverage), mental health support and an employee assistance program

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Expected salary range $91,058 - $141,000+  

The salary amount for the successful candidate is determined by Co-operators in its discretion and will vary depending on several criteria including but not limited to: local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualification, experience and education.​

Employees may also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn additional compensation tied to individual and/or business performance, or other business metrics.

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