Enterprise Architect Service

Service description:

In the context of the Group IT formation of the Client Group, the Enterprise Architect will:

• Start immediately and take ownership of turning the approved operating model into concrete working practices, with a prioritized implementation backlog, milestones, dependencies, risks, decision points and suitable pilots. The role requires a pragmatic architect who drives execution and delivers visible results quickly.
• Lead the definition and continuous improvement of the architecture governance framework, including principles, standards, policies, reference architectures and golden scenarios, within a clear ARB decision workflow covering decision packs, traceability and escalation paths.
• Operationalize the federated Target Operating Model by clarifying the mandates, interactions, decision rights, handovers and escalation paths of Group and Local Enterprise Architects, Domain Architects, Technical Architects and Solution Architects.
• Provide a clear architecture vision and bring Group, local, business, product, delivery, engineering, security, data and infrastructure stakeholders together around shared priorities, practical decisions and reusable solutions.
• Establish or refine Group and Local Architecture Review Board practices, including scope, participation, quorum, agenda, inputs, outputs and decision recording, and facilitate the first governance sessions.
• Implement objective review triggers, delegated decision routing, Architecture Decision Records, waiver and exception management, compliance levels and an urgent fast-track route.
• Ensure alignment with Client Digital Platform by translating platform guardrails into consumable guidance for local delivery teams.
• Embed Architecture early into portfolio and funding, demand intake, project and product delivery, application lifecycle, security and risk, data and integration, and technology or vendor selection.
• Introduce proportionate architecture involvement based on criticality, complexity, risk, deviation and cross-entity impact, without creating a shadow PMO or unnecessary approval layer.
• Establish the minimum viable architecture artefact set, with clear ownership, approval routes, versioning, review triggers and retirement rules.
• Coach architecture roles, establish an Architecture Community and focused working groups, and transfer knowledge so that internal stakeholders can operate the model independently.
• Define focused KPIs covering adoption, decision effectiveness, delivery enablement, reuse, compliance, risk and stakeholder value.
• Create momentum and cohesion across teams: facilitate decisions, remove ambiguity, constructive challenge when needed, and ensure that agreed actions are followed through to implementation.

Requirements:

Candidates must meet the following requirements:

• At least 10 years of experience in an Enterprise Architecture role.
• Available to start immediately and able to work autonomously, create structure in ambiguity and maintain momentum until decisions are implemented.
• Proven experience in federated, multi-entity or similarly complex architecture governance environments. 
• Proven experience facilitating ARB sessions and producing decision-ready packs with traceability. 
• Hands-on experience implementing delegated decision rights, ADRs, waivers, compliance reviews and architecture service models. 
• Strong strategic thinking combined with a pragmatic, hands-on and results-oriented mindset. 
• Strong facilitation and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to align senior management, architects, business, product, engineering, infrastructure and delivery teams. 
• Ability to articulate a compelling vision, build trust, create shared ownership and bring people together around difficult trade-offs. 
• Solid knowledge of IT processes and recognized approaches such as ITIL, TOGAF, ArchiMate and Domain-Driven Design. 
• Hands-on experience designing and delivering IT solutions in an agile environment is an asset.
• Knowledge and experience of/in the Energy and Utilities sector is a plus.
• Fluency in English is mandatory for documentation, supplier interactions, and meetings. Knowledge of French, Dutch, or German is a plus, as you will collaborate with team members speaking these languages.