Digital Solution Architect

Are you looking for a company with a great culture and the freedom to be innovative? Do you want to work on cutting-edge projects, in an environment where you can express your opinions without fear of repercussion? My client is seeking an individual who wants to take part in the development of new technologies, while working closely with other teams.

The Digital Solution Architect (DSA) is responsible for the design of digital solutions and integration components within the MCG enterprise infrastructure. The DSA will collaborate with all other technology and solution disciplines to define Digital technology objectives, assess solution options and devise architectural solutions that achieve both strategic goals set by the Group Digital and Programme teams. The DSA will ensure all governing controls are applied in the design of solutions and will model them in the appropriate Architecture repository.

Requirements

Strategy Execution & Digital Ownership

Translates strategic and business requirements into a usable set of digital solution architecture(s) (target & transitional). Provides SME architecture expertise and detailed knowledge of appropriate digital technologies used to guide solution development, and achieve consistency of integrated digital design across the application portfolio, supporting the MCG Digital EA roadmap as defined by the Digital EA

Ensures the digital solution architecture(s) align to the enterprise architecture, and that all existing channel assets are identified, stewarded and leveraged across the business as appropriate

Definition and applied use of appropriate MultiChoice Digital solution frameworks, reference models, standards, policies and practices

Setup, implementation and use of standard MCG Architecture tools used to design and communicate digital solution architecture(s)

Ensure a focus on use and refinement of digital solution design quality standards such as (not limited to) engagement technology standards, Digital data exchange standards (B2C, B2B), Digital experience standards

Drives communication and use/alignment of the target digital solution architecture (Blueprint) across MultiChoice Group stakeholders

Provides enterprise-wide assurance over the integrity and appropriateness of Digital solution architecture designs, using MultiChoice approved standards

Monitors emerging industry Digital platform and technology trends, assessing impact on existing Digital solution designs, positioning improvements to the MCG environment where appropriate by means of the appropriate governance forums

Continued alignment of Digital solutions with the Digital Enterprise Architect, delivering related solution design activities as per the Enterprise Architecture BluePrint and Roadmap

Digital channel representative in architecture and design related forum(s), presenting all related Digital Solution designs for ratification

Delivery Planning, Design & Implementation

Coordinate new digital architecture activities across MultiChoice Group stakeholders, ensuring they are consistent and well integrated with the established MCG Digital blueprint, using the MCG standard Architecture repository (Metadata, registry or portal) to promote reuse and standards adoption

Active member in pre-execution analysis and business case development of new Digital initiative (legacy & digital migration) designs and architectures. Provides a solution view of dependencies, impact and overlap against the existing Digital portfolio and roadmap

Identifies Digital risks, assesses the potential impact on other MCG Digital strategies, designs and existing projects

Collaboration with all project stakeholders to review the objectives, requirements, designs and constraints of each Digital solution, determining conformance with the approved EA Blueprint & roadmap

Recommends the most suitable Digital architecture, and defines the solution at a logical & physical level (as required), whilst updating the Digital channel architecture landscape as appropriate

Models designed and updated using the standardized modelling tool (Sparx EA), stored in the enterprise architecture repository

Lead in design of project Logical, Physical Architecture(s) and roadmap(s), recommending the most suitable approach in alignment with the target Digital architecture.

The designs should consider the following:

MultiChoice Business (and Functional area) & IT strategy –

Across SA, MAL and VE

Enterprise Digital strategy

Digital Architecture model(s) & roadmap

Digital trends and emerging technologies

Existing channel Initiatives & project/portfolio overlaps

Business & Technology Capabilities (GT8)

Integrated Architecture Domains & Roadmaps: Channel, Business Process, Integration, Data, Infrastructure, Security,

Partner & 3rd Party Ecosystems

Business, Functional and Non-functional project requirements

Regulatory, legal and compliance implications i.e. consumer privacy laws, data retention policies, outsourced data and specific industry guidelines

Participate in key project design reviews as part of the methodology process to ensure application designs adhere to Digital architecture guidelines

Assist in post-implementation continuous-improvement efforts to enhance performance and provide increased Digital features & functionality

Track initiative progress and metrics as feedback into Architecture boards and forums

Actively drive the planning of features and milestones with business Product Owners, ensuring effective trade-off and backlog grooming (incl. milestones and dependencies)

Governance & Risk Management

Monitor regulatory and compliance guidelines (such as consumer privacy issues or cross-region Digital integration and audit requirements) to determine impact on the end-to-end Digital architecture

Validate audit objectives and assist with creation of audit plans to ensure continued integration integrity and transparency

Review audit reports to ensure findings and recommendations are appropriately addressed with solution design activities

Ensures Risk Management processes are in place to protect channel and related IT assets through appropriate standards and security policies

Provides input into the development of policies, standards, and guidelines to direct selection, development, implementation, and use/distribution of Digital platforms

Provides assurance and governance at key milestones, ensuring appropriate application of MultiChoice Digital architecture standards and practices

Governs and manages change to the Digital solution architecture(s) landscape, including target architecture change (project-based), as well as management of repository artifacts (i.e. knowledge management and appropriate application of tooling standards)

Architecture Management

Acts as a consultant to business and technology communities, coordinating specialist designers and solution architects. Assumes responsibility for solution designs impacting the Digital architecture

Manages communication of Digital solution architecture change through the appropriate committees and architecture boards

Responsible for the delivery of Digital solution architecture initiatives

Manages the MultiChoice Digital solution architecture working group(s) where relevant

Responsible to manage the knowledge & architecture repository for all Digital solution architecture artifacts

Research & Analysis

Active in market trend research and benchmarking of competitive Media institutions, and their approaches/technologies used to drive Digital innovation

Active in the positioning of feasible Digital concepts to MultiChoice Group, contributing to business case development and architecture positioning of identified solutions

Researches new technologies and suites to evolve the existing MultiChoice Digital technology stack, providing recommendations as appropriate

Qualifications

BSc Computer Science or BComm Information Systems / Informatics or a similarly relevant Information Technology degree from a recognized university

Relevant channel system or related open-source certifications e.g. Adobe, SiteCore, Magento, BlueKai & other

Architecture practice and modeling-related certifications e.g. SOA, TOGAF, Bredemeyer, Zachmann, UML, eTOM, & other

Architecture tooling certifications & experience e.g. Sparx, Casewise, ARIS, iServer & others.

Supporting technology or business domain certifications

Experience

Note: Although we note that not all the criteria may be met by candidates, the profile of a Digital candidate should resemble the areas of expertise in the below requirements:

*NB Digital front-end architecture experience - Practically worked on defining future state architectures for digital front-ends

8+ years experience as an architecture practitioner

5+ years experience in Digital architecture and solution design

3+ years experience in leading/managing Digital architecture teams

5+ years experience in implementing large, mid-size, and small Digital solutions/projects

Detailed experience and successful track record in establishing Digital architecture capabilities, defining and driving their adoption

Experience in implementing IT solutions supporting B2B and B2C sales, service & marketing (e.g., CRM, marketing automation, web CMS, DAM)

Knowledgeable in the design and construction of common digital channel architectures that enable well-integrated transactional, collaborative, and analytical systems – internal, partner, and 3rd party integration.

Experience in driving strategic digital/mobile/online initiatives and digital transformation initiatives (e.g., Digital strategy, omnichannel design, Digital Integration, Digital channel modernization).

Experience in customer-centered channel design (e.g. UX & CX design and delivery, CVM, A/B Testing)

Experience with different Digital systems and implementations e.g., eCommerce, USSD, online & web platforms, mobile applications, devices, chatbot or other)

Experience with multiple channel design products (e.g., Adobe Experience Manager, Salesforce, GoogleAds, and others)

Understanding of common Digital architecture frameworks and standards (e.g., "Liquid Box", omnichannel, SEO)

Understanding & experience using data & analytical concepts to support modern Digital architectures

Experience creating Digital policies to support the standardized design and use of Digital systems

About Dimension Data

At Dimension Data we empowering our people to deliver client-centric solutions. We want to see our people make the most of every opportunity, and together we can achieve the extraordinary. Our diverse and inspiring people are experts at what they do and serious about delivering measurable and sustainable value at every turn.