Lead Solution Architect

Guided by BCBSLA Reference Architecture & Standards, Lead Solution Architect is responsible for leading development of Architecture Solution Blueprints for all business and IT projects. Ensure sound, sustainable and economically viable design, striking the right balance between enterprise and functional needs with a focus on increased operational efficiency, reliability, predictability and long-term economic viability while reducing technical debt. Accountable for complying with all laws and regulations associated with duties and responsibilities.

• This role does not manage people
• This role reports to this job: Departmental Leadership
• Necessary Contacts: To do this job effectively the incumbent has to be in contact with:All levels of BCBSLA personnel, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, other Blue Plans, and a limited number of external community/industry organizations.

• Bachelor's or other technical program including mathematics, applied physics and/ or Business Administration required
• Four years of related experience can be used in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree.

• 7 years technical leadership and hands-on technology implementation to include 4 years of experience in software development, DevSecOps engineering, systems administration, systems architecture, data architecture or data engineering and two years’ in solution, domain, or enterprise architecture required.
• Requires advanced knowledge of Solution Architecture practice, Application Architecture practice, ALM, Software development best practices and standards, and demonstrable experience in leading business application solution design, and implementation of complex business initiatives.Must have experience in at least five of the following domains:Business ArchitectureBusiness Intelligence ArchitectureInformation ArchitectureApplication ArchitectureData ArchitectureIntegration ArchitectureInfrastructure ArchitectureDigital & Digital Marketing ArchitectureSecurity ArchitectureHealthcare Core Administrative Systems (Trizetto Facets)Care & Disease Management Systems (Zeomega Jiva)Enterprise Resource Planning - Finance or Human Resources (Oracle Peoplesoft, Workday)Microsoft AzureAmazon Web ServicesDevSecOps
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Healthcare industry experienceUnderstanding of infrastructure and security requirements, such as HIPAA preferred.TOGAF or related certificationsITIL certificationVendor certifications

• Must have intermediate / advanced knowledge in at least four of the following technical skills:.NET Framework or Core, or JavaJavaScriptWeb Services / API developmentInformatica Power CenterMicrosoft SSISMicrosoft BizTlkSingle Page Applications / Progressive Web ApplicationsWeb site / services management and securityData ModelingData IntegrationSQLRelational / NoSql Database SystemsBig DataTableau / Power BI / QlikAdditional advanced skills in the following areas:Excellent interpersonal skills in areas such as teamwork, facilitation and negotiationStrong leadership skillsExcellent analytical and technical skillsStrong written and verbal communication skillsExcellent planning and organizational skillsAbility to understand the long-term ("big picture") and short-term perspectives of situationsAbility to estimate the financial impact of alternativesAbility to apply multiple technical solutions to business problemsAbility to quickly comprehend the functions and capabilities of new technologiesKnowledge of information principles and processesBasic knowledge of financial models and budgetingUnderstanding of the political climate of the enterprise, and how to respond to political challengesFacilitate formal training for architects, engineers and analysts
• Accountable for following key operational deliverables

• None Required

• Leads the solution architecture process
• Develops and publishes the Solution Blueprint document. Ensures alignment, adherence and application of all applicable BCBSLA Reference Architecture components are properly reflected in the Solution Architecture Blueprint deliverable including
• Leads enterprise application architecture & software development standards and frameworks, enterprise technical architecture and infrastructure standards and enterprise data architecture and standards
• Leads enterprise architecture roadmaps and life-cycle management plans
• Creates and presents improvement opportunities to the solution architecture practice / artifacts
• Facilitates deep-dive technical discussions around design and an intellectual curiosity to keep technical skills current while maintaining a pulse on industry trends
• Defines, collects, synthesizes, analyzes and works with IT and Data Analytics team to publishes all related and relevant metrics associated with solution architecture practice to demonstrate increasing maturity and value
• Works with Project Portfolio team to review and assess for enterprise-level opportunities to maximize shared services and re-use
• Understands business application and industry trends in relation to the Payer Market, identifying, building a business case for and socializing select and relevant innovation opportunities with likelihood of success, and performing POC as warranted
• Serves as Architecture SME (and designated Chair as needed) for Architecture Review Board (ARB) and facilitation of review, impact analysis, documentation, recommendation and formal publication of BCBSLA Technical Standards and measurement of adherence to these standards
• Serves as SME and facilitator of Solution Architecture Center of Excellence / Communities of Practice
• Provides architectural leadership for development efforts by integrating various technologies such as web applications, relational databases, information security, servers, networking, etc
• Provides high-level analysis and design reviews to solve conceptual problems and avoid duplication of efforts of same errors within different applications
• Works with vendors to integrate their technologies within organization's structure
• Evaluates new technologies and recommend extension, expansion, and update of technology standards, practices, and methodologies
• Mentors architects, engineers and analysts

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned, within your scope of responsibilities.
• Job duties are performed in a normal and clean office environment with normal noise levels.
• Work is predominately done while standing or sitting.
• The ability to comprehend, document, calculate, visualize, and analyze are required.