Solutions Architect

We are looking to add a Solutions Architect to join our Information Technology team in West Des Moines, Iowa . Offering a forward-thinking, innovative, and vibrant company culture, along with the opportunity to share your unique potential, there really is no place like Holmes!

Essential Responsibilities:

• Architect new applications, services, integrations, and technology solutions that align with business needs, architectural standards, and technology strategy.
• Translate solution architecture and technical direction for key initiatives to development and implementation teams and serve as an architectural stakeholder throughout project delivery.
• Support the adoption of established technology standards, architectural patterns, and strategic technology direction through solution architecture, project engagement, and technical leadership.
• Research emerging technologies, including insurance industry technologies (InsurTech), AI-enabled solutions, automation tools, and cloud platforms, and recommend opportunities to improve the company's technology landscape and architecture.
• Collaborate with IT Business Partner, business stakeholders and IT delivery teams to understand business needs and translate them into solution architectures and technical recommendations.
• Review and provide architectural guidance on application, integration, and data designs to ensure alignment with architectural standards, security requirements, and technology strategy.
• Collaborate with development and delivery teams to provide technical guidance, remove architectural roadblocks, and remain informed of upcoming projects, enhancements, and emerging technologies.
• Identify opportunities to reduce technical debt and improve application maintainability, scalability, and operational efficiency.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Assist the Chief Technology Architect in evaluating, refining, and advancing technical strategies and architecture roadmaps.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of architecture standards, reference architectures, and best practices.
• Participate in architecture review activities, technology evaluations, and proof-of-concept initiatives.
• Mentor software developers and technical team members to promote adherence to architectural standards, best practices, and solution design principles.
• Perform special projects and other duties as requested.

Competencies:

Core Competencies

• Trust: Build trust through honest and caring actions and consistently do the right thing.
• Communication: Seek understanding to convey messages and information to others in a caring and constructive manner.
• Client Focus: Establish meaningful relationships with clients (internal and external) by supporting their unique potential and delivering an impactful experience.
• Teamwork: Contributes to the success of the organization by effectively influencing others and uplifting their experiences and unique strengths.

Technical Competencies

• Business & Technology Knowledge: Understands business needs, makes informed decisions, and effectively delivers technology solutions, including related processes and procedures.
• Problem Solving: Ability to efficiently identify problem(s), leverage resources to determine root cause(s) and propose and implement solutions or make improvements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience designing enterprise application and integration solutions.
• Knowledge of architectural patterns, system design principles, and cloud-based technologies.
• Ability to evaluate technology tradeoffs and communicate recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience creating solution architecture diagrams, technical documentation, and implementation roadmaps.
• Experience facilitating solution design discussions and driving consensus among business and technical stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and business acumen skills.
• Self-starter who can handle several work items independently.
• Strong experience in software engineering, application architecture, or solution design. Experience with Salesforce or similar enterprise platforms is preferred.
• Experience developing integrations. DataFactory and LogicApps experience is a plus.
• Experience leveraging ETL, automation, analytics, and AI-enabled technologies to support business objectives.
• Knowledge and experience with business intelligence platforms.
• Results-driven and detail-oriented.
• Excellent professional written and oral communications.
• Ability to be available for work on a daily basis and extended hours as necessary.
• Ability and willingness to consistently participate in internal and external educational opportunities to enhance knowle