Portfolio Architect

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

Summary:

• An expert in the architecture of a large product group or ecosystem, the Portfolio Architect proactively and holistically guides its evolution and implementation. These solutions collectively enable the future-state business capabilities and drive the organization's targeted business-outcomes.
• Accountable for ensuring the future orientation of the ecosystem aligns with and informs the Line of Business Strategy and Enterprise Architecture, this role maintains the target state architecture and roadmap for the product group/ecosystem and guides the work of solution designers in its implementation.
• The Portfolio Architect will guide & approve designs developed by Solutions Architects and bring forward architecturally significant decisions/solutions to the Architecture Review Council for approval. They understand the business strategy, the unit's enterprise architecture strategy and translate both into system changes required to achieve the outcomes.
• The Portfolio Architect participates in the local Architecture Review Board, responsible for ensuring architectures are in alignment with enterprise standards and directions.
• This role collaborates with the Enterprise Architecture and Line of Business leaders on the development of the Line of Business IT Strategy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Create Reference Architectures that demonstrate an understanding of technology components and the relationships between them.
• Leverage knowledge of Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), including microservices where appropriate, to deliver solutions.
• Maintain a high level of skill in various application deployment and workload architectures, such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS).
• Ensure that IT understands how to leverage various integration protocols and technologies, such as REST & resource-oriented design, OData and API Gateways.
• Design and modernize complex systems into cloud compatible or cloud native applications where applicable. Create strategies and designs for migrating application to cloud systems.
• Participate in the evaluation of new applications, technical options, challenge the status quo, create solid business cases, and influence direction while establishing partnerships with key constituencies.
• Implement best practices, standards & guidance, then subsequently provide coaching of technology team members.
• Make leadership recommendations regarding strategic architectural considerations related to process design and process orchestration.
• Provide strong leadership and direction in development/engineering practices.
• Collaborate with other business and technology teams on architecture and design issues.
• Respond to evolving and changing security conditions. Implement and recommend security guidelines.
• Provide thought-leadership, advocacy, articulation, assurance and maintenance of the Enterprise Architecture discipline.
• Provide solution, guidance, and implementation assistance within Full stack development teams. Develop & maintain the architecture and roadmap for the portfolio
• Develop and maintain reference architecture views for their portfolio
• Recommend standards and best practices to the Enterprise Architecture
• Contributes to initiative planning for the Line of Business, recommending development of new capabilities, retirement of legacy systems, etc. as appropriate
• Expert portfolio expertise and representation to initiatives that require capabilities from their portfolio.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 13+ years of experience in the development and delivery of software systems.
• 3+ years of experience creating solution architectures and strategies across multiple architecture domains (business, application, data, integration, infrastructure and security).
• 12+ years of experience developing in the following technologies: Java (Spring, SpringBoot), Web Services (JSON/XML), RESTful architectures, AWS API Gateway, Lambda, NodeJS, Python.
• Desired certifications: TOGAF, CISSP, Cloud, AWS, ITIL
• Experience with Enterprise Architecture governance and decision making, either in a formal EA/Portfolio Architect role or as an Architecture Review Board.
• Solid experience with one or more of the following technology disciplines: SOA & Microservices design, Cloud Architectures, Big Data/Advanced Analytics, Data Warehouse systems, Advanced Programming, Modern Integration Methods (API Gateway/Web Services, Messaging & RESTful architectures), NoSQL.
• Good understanding of front-end and web frameworks such as React and Angular and how they integrate with APIs and backend services.
• Experienced in modern deployment models using Jenkins and CI/CD pipelines.
• Proficient with source code version control such as GitHub/GitLab/BitBucket
• Working knowledge of addressing architectural cross cutting concerns and their tradeoffs, including topics such as caching, monitoring, operational surround, high availability, security, etc.
• Demonstrates competency applying architecture frameworks and development methods.
• Strong knowledge of data modeling, security patterns and integration methods.
• Experience with DevOps processes and tools.
• Understanding of business process analysis and business process management (BPM).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrates continuous learning of new technologies.
• Self-motivated individual that thrives in a team environment.
• Financial industry expertise preferred (Investments, Asset Management, etc.).
• Knowledge of GenAI capabilities including how to design and implement large-scale AI/ML systems in production environments.
• Expertise in advanced AI techniques, including generative models, reinforcement learning, and natural language processing.
• Ability to balance ethical considerations with business objectives in AI strategy and implementation.
• Experience developing and implementing responsible AI policies and best practices across organizations.

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.