Enterprise Architecture Director jobs in Michigan

Hastings Mutual is currently looking for a Senior Manager of Enterprise Architecture to join its IT Leadership team! This is a great opportunity for an experienced IT professional to play a key strategic role in the ongoing enhancement and modernization of our core business systems and applications.

Position Overview

The Senior Manager of Enterprise Architecture focuses on the strategic development and operation of the Architecture practice, including managing staffing requirements, optimizing processes and technology, and ensuring the high availability of architecture services. They will also work closely with business executives and stakeholders in other departments to identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support newer solutions that provide new services to agents.

Position Location & Work Format

This position is flexible in its location! We will entertain candidates who reside within our six-state territory (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, or Illinois) to work a remote schedule. Candidates residing within the greater Hastings area will be able to work a hybrid (combination of on-site and work-from-home) schedule as an alternative. 
 
Generally, this position will work within our standard office hours of Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Hastings Mutual may consider candidates in other states to work remotely if elements of their application are strong.   

Position Duties & Responsibilities

• General Management & Leadership
  • Manages staffing and staff development, including recruitment, supervision, organizational structure, individual and team development, performance management, evaluation, and disciplinary actions.
  • Creates a supportive team-oriented work climate that enables individuals to develop professionally; values diversity, promotes teamwork and collaboration, and emphasizes quality, customer satisfaction, creativity, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Directs negotiations and administration of vendor, outsourcer, and consultant contracts and service agreements in assigned areas of responsibility.
  • Keeps current with the technologies that have a potential impact on company operations.
• Strategy & Planning
  • Works with stakeholders to define business and systems requirements for new information technologies, particularly in the areas of architecture, InsurTech and newer technologies.
  • Works with different business units at the director level to align the business and IT.
  • Ensures the efficient utilization of data resources across different business units and global locations (if applicable).
  • Oversees all architecture boards and meetings.
  • Promotes the architecture program.
  • Facilitates system feasibility studies, proof of concepts, pilot projects, and testing.
  • Ensures best practices are established for effective problem resolution in a high availability, 24/7, global environment.
  • Develops, implements, and maintains all key architectural policies and procedures, including those for BI/EDW architecture, data centers, standards, purchasing, monitoring, and service provision.
• Acquisition & Deployment
  • Manages the deployment, monitoring, maintenance, development, upgrade, and support of systems, including architecture, data integration, high availability, security, and data privacy.
  • Defines the short and long-term strategies for the corporate architecture program to ensure the effective delivery of information that meets current and future requirements.
  • Approves purchase of equipment and supplies to meet operational requirements of the business.
  • Analyzes existing operations and makes recommendations for the improvement and growth of the HMIC system architecture.
  • Conducts research and remains current with the latest technologies and solutions
  • Develops requests for proposals.
• Maintains an effective working relationship with management team members, serving as an automation advisor in the formulation of Company goals and objectives.
• Evaluates and report on how technology (software and hardware) may be effectively employed to achieve corporate goals.
• Actively participates in professional development, i.e. continuing education or self-improvement.
• Other duties as assigned by leadership, either verbally or in writing.

Technical Environment

• Data
  • VSAM/DB2 file structures, DB2 and MSSQL databases, XML and JSON structures, BI/Data Cubes, Data modeling (ER, Data Flows, etc.), DDL, ETL
• Development Tools
  • COBOL LE, Assembler, Bim-Edit, CICS, Visual Basic, .NET, Java, Pentaho Kettle, Microsoft Office
• Major System Solutions
  • CSC Series II and III Application Software, Guidewire Suite (BillingCenter, ClaimCenter, PolicyCenter) OnBase (Document Management), Policy Express (Developed In-House)
• Operating System Environments and Extensions
  • zOS, zVM, TSO, Linux, MS Windows (Server and Client), Apache TomCat, VMware
• Physical
  •  IBM OS/390, Client/server development platforms, Microsoft LAN, Remote communications

Candidate Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or related field or equivalent work experience is required.
• Fifteen years minimum experience in information technology with ten years of management experience required.
• Demonstrated mastery of the information needs and processing flows of a property/casualty insurance company.
• An insurance background with AINS certification is preferred.
• Knowledgeable in all phases of project and departmental management.
• Advanced understanding of mainframe, client-server, and internet development platforms, software development methodologies, and hardware in both a mainframe (legacy) and open system environment.
• Demonstrated excellent listening, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated PC skills including proficient use of Microsoft Office products.

Our Commitment as an Employer

About Hastings Mutual Insurance Company

From our humble roots in 1885 providing coverage for windstorm damage, Hastings Mutual has evolved into a leading regional property and casualty insurance carrier, offering innovative products for businesses, farm owners, and individuals. We work with customers in six Midwestern states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin). Hastings Mutual is known for its financial strength, high ethical standards, and culture of service and responsiveness.
 
The core of our ongoing success is our employees. Whether at the corporate offices in Hastings, Michigan, or our remote team members throughout the Midwest, Hastings Mutual is made up of talented professionals across multiple divisions and functional areas. Our commitment to our employees and work culture has been confirmed with our inclusion in the “Best and Brightest Companies to Work for in West Michigan” each year since 2011.
 
Hastings Mutual offers a friendly, family-like environment that values transparency and approachability. We recognize the hard work of our employees with many benefits, including fully paid certification training, a cafeteria, and fitness center at our corporate offices, ongoing professional development opportunities, and financial stability backed by our “A” rating from A.M. Best. We also have a long-term commitment to the communities in which we live and work, either through partnerships with local charitable organizations or through our own Hastings Mutual Charitable Foundation.
 
At Hastings Mutual, we’re always looking for professionals of all experience and education levels to help us continue our more than 130-year history of successful, stable growth.