Lead IT Architect

Summary

Join Protective as a Lead IT Architect and be part of a team that impacts millions of lives. You will design, code, test, implement, maintain, and support software systems, collaborating with business analysts and customers to meet their needs. Responsibilities include analysis and design, programming and testing, problem resolution, documentation, business interaction, and project management. You will provide leadership and expertise in areas like programming languages or database systems. The role requires extensive experience and a post-secondary degree or equivalent experience.

Requirements

• Typically, 13+ years of applicable work and/or technical experience in languages/environments considered important to the company
• Typically, post-secondary degree, preferably in Management Information Services, Computer Science or Math related field may substitute for up to 4 years of work and/or technical experience
• Recognized expertise in their assigned areas of responsibility
• Demonstrates a thorough, detailed working knowledge of relevant technologies. Responsible for designing and implementing how the technologies will be incorporated in current systems or will be used in development of very complex new systems
• Cobol and Assembler languages
• Demonstrates a thorough, detailed understanding of various data structures
• Requires programming skills sufficient to solve difficult and very complex technical problems
• Must be able to manage multiple, changing priorities, resolve conflicts and be able to work well under pressure
• Must be self- motivated, able to work independently and willing to self-teach and take responsibility for ongoing professional development
• Ability to analyze and design software solutions to meet very complex requirements
• Requires oral and written communication skills sufficient to communicate clearly with peers and customers

Responsibilities

• Analysis and Design: Research, compile, and evaluates information used in the development and maintenance of very large and complex systems and processes to satisfy business needs. Designs very large and complex systems and/or support processes that meet customer requirements while effectively interacting with existing systems/support processes
• Programming and Testing: Constructs, modifies, and tests very large and complex system changes
• Problem Determination and Resolution: Quickly diagnoses very complex problems. Determines and implements quality solutions in a timely fashion. This covers all areas of production support and daily problem research and resolution. Production incidents need prompt attention and correction to reduce impact on the business area
• Documentation: Provides thorough and complete documentation for all programming changes and enhancements. Documentation must meet corporate standards
• Business Knowledge and Interaction: Understands the business needs of the customer and provides quality customer support by providing appropriate communication, anticipating customer needs and/or problems, and understanding the broad impact of changes on all customer processes. Provides appropriate solutions and proactively suggests process improvements
• Project / Task Management: Performs project management duties for the technical aspects of very large and complex projects as needed depending on the nature of the project. Manages individual tasks on projects to ensure that all tasks are delivered according to the project plan
• IT Influence / Leadership: Provides leadership as a model of how others should interact and accomplish tasks. Is considered 'a top expert' by peers in one or more important areas of expertise, such as, a programming language, computer system, data base, etc. Provides an appropriate level of feedback to peers, support and interface areas, and management. Willingly shares and assists in the development skills of others

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical certifications are desirable and may substitute for some work and/or technical experience. (Microsoft Certifications, etc.)
• CICS is a plus
• IBM mainframe environment preferred
• Experience with Life and Annuity systems (LIFE-COMM, LIFE/70) is preferred
• Experience in new product implementation is a plus
• Experience in Documerge is a plus

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance
• Mental health benefits and an employee assistance program
• A variety of paid time away benefits ( e.g. , paid time off, paid parental leave, short-term disability, and a cultural observance day)
• Contributions to healthcare accounts
• A pension plan
• A 401(k) plan with Company matching
• ProHealth Rewards, Protective’s platform to improve wellbeing while earning cash rewards
• This position also offers additional incentive opportunities through an annual incentive based on individual and Company performance