Solution Architect

job description:

Position: Solution Architect

Reporting to: Vice President of Architecture, US

Location: Atlanta

The Role

The purpose of this Solution Architect role is to create and deliver optimum solutions meeting the needs of the business. Engage throughout whole project lifecycle from understanding the business case and requirements through transition into BAU (business as usual) support. This is a key role for the delivery of projects within Hiscox. It is the responsibility of the Solution Architect to coordinate activities with team members including architects from other disciplines (infrastructure, data, security) to define the most effective solution to the business problems while also leveraging their knowledge of existing systems and services as well as the capabilities available in the marketplace.

The Solution Architect role is expected to lead transformational projects spanning the enterprise while supporting a team of solution architects working on individual work streams.

Key Responsibilities

• Interact with a range of people, from highly technical software developers to Senior Executive stakeholders. This means the ability to change their style/approach is essential. Identifying what a particular stakeholder needs to know or is concerned about is critical to ensuring that projects address the major stakeholder concerns on an on-going basis.
• Take ownership of the overall architecture strategy/design for a complex program of work and communicate it to all members of a project team. Technical, architectural, functional and impact and risk elements of the design need to be conveyed to technical and non-technical members. Presenting options, risks, recommendations in a language and a way that shows understanding and technical leadership is essential.

• Partner with corresponding team members ensure all of our downstream system integrations (such as Reporting, Document Production, Finance and others) are supported as the evolution of our core platform progresses.

• Interact with business domain experts and therefore must be comfortable acquiring and using business domain language and knowledge to convey concepts and recommendations.
• Engage with and assist technical teams in delivering the Solution. From understanding testing requirements to being involved with the development of solution using a variety of technologies such as Java (and/or Microsoft .NET) the Solution Architect is required to be able to engage and operate across a broad range of technologies including relational database systems (e.g. Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle), integration platforms (e.g. webMethods and Apigee), application containers (e.g. Docker), web servers and basic infrastructure such as networking (firewalls, protocols).
• Responsible for vendor engagement on a project including initial engagement, vendor selection, setting up delivery engagement, hand off to a project manager for statement of work, escalations etc.

person specification:

Requirements

For those interested applicants, please send a resume which clearly tells the story and demonstrates evidence of the following:

• Clearly stated demonstrable practical experience and understanding of best practice architecture principles
• Strong communication, storytelling and presentation skills; Ability to engage, influence and motivate stakeholders at all levels
• Operated in similar sized IT programs of work ($20-$30mil) with a true collaboration between IT and non IT teams
• Track record of managing the architecture of multiple change projects/programs in a complex environment
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Highly results driven, with the energy and determination to succeed in a very fast paced environment where the pace and quality of response is critical to success
• Be the go-to resource for other solution architects that are looking for assistance with solving complex architecture issues
• Review other architects’ solutions and ensures their architecture solutions aligns with program goals
• Motivated self-starter who can work autonomously and add value in a team
• Excellent interpersonal, organization and time management skills
• Must be cooperative, flexible and able to work well with others
• Cloud infrastructure experience is a plus
• Hands on experience in the Insurance sector or Financial Services is preferred

Hiscox Values

At Hiscox our spirit is in Challenging Convention and everything we do is guided by our Values.

• Courage: Dare to take a risk
• Human: Clear, fair & inclusive
• Ownership: Passionate, commercial & accountable
• Integrity: Do the right thing, however hard
• Connected: Together, build something better

What Hiscox USA Offers

• Competitive salary and bonus (based on personal & company performance)
• Comprehensive health insurance, Vision, Dental and FSA
• 401(k) with competitive company matching
• 24 Paid time off days
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Paid sabbaticals after 10 years of service
• Dynamic, creative and values-driven culture
• Modern and open office spaces, complimentary fruit and drinks
• Spirit of volunteerism, social responsibility and community involvement, including matching charitable donations for qualifying non-profits via our sister non-profit company, the Hiscox USA Foundation

About Hiscox

As an international specialist insurer we are far removed from the world of mass market insurance products. Instead we are selective and focus on our key areas of expertise and strength - all of which is underpinned by a culture that encourages us to challenge convention and always look for a better way of doing things.

We insure the unique and the interesting. And we search for the same when it comes to talented people. Hiscox is full of smart, reliable human beings that look out for customers and each other. We believe in doing the right thing, making good and rebuilding when things go wrong. Everyone is encouraged to think creatively, challenge the status quo and look for solutions.

Scratch beneath the surface and you will find a business that is solid, but slightly contrary. We like to do things differently and constantly seek to evolve. We might have been around for a long time (our roots go back to 1901), but we are young in many ways, ambitious and going places. Some people might say insurance is dull, but life at Hiscox is anything but. If that sounds good to you, get in touch.

About Hiscox US

Hiscox USA was established in 2006 to focus primarily on the needs of small and middle market commercial clients, via both the broker and direct distribution channels and is today the fastest-growing business unit within the Hiscox Group.

Today, Hiscox USA has a talent force of about 420 employees mostly operating out of 6 major cities - New York, Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Hiscox USA offers a broad portfolio of commercial products, including technology, cyber & data risk, multiple professional liability lines, media, entertainment, management liability, crime, kidnap & ransom, commercial property and terrorism.

Diversity and flexible working at Hiscox

At Hiscox we care about our people. We hire the best people for the job and we’re committed to diversity and creating a truly inclusive culture, which we believe drives success. We have also learned through our experience in 2020 that working life doesn’t always have to in the office, and when it’s safe to do so, we will be introducing a more flexible way of working to encourage a healthy work life balance. We see it as the best of both worlds: structure and sociability on one hand, and independence and flexibility on the other.