Principal Architect

About the role

As a Principal Architect within CTO (Chief Technology Office) you'll be CTO' trusted advisor working directly with our senior LV= business executives, helping them to understand the opportunities technology and IS can provide them. Your prime responsibility is to help define and articulate business objectives and strategies, translating them into strategic and tactical IT change roadmaps whilst ensuring alignment with Corporate, CTO and business strategy and objectives.

As a member of the CTO Senior Management Group (SMG) you'll be a proven leader, providing clear direction to support and develop technical members of the CTO team to deliver superb service to your stakeholders and business leaders.

You will be making a significant contribution in delivering effective IT solutions as well as pro-actively seeking opportunities to understand and improve business processes, manage internal and external stakeholders and present to senior executives along the way. You'll drive key technical change activity initiatives whilst improving ways of working, ensuring that the specification and design of information systems deliver fit for purpose outcomes that meet our business needs.

Key to the success of our business you'll oversee the development of realistic and endorsed technological roadmaps, aligned with business objectives and reflective of our business investment, cost and risk appetite.

You'll also be responsible for the technical governance within the wider governance framework ensuring that the all specification and design of information systems delivered are fit for purpose, meet the business needs and just as importantly, consider limiting factors such as cost, security, sustainability whilst continuing to driving the business forward.

Additionally as CTO' trusted advisor to the business on behalf of all technology activities you'll be providing and obtaining industry insight and input.

Crucially you will enjoy being part of a function and business area which is key to shaping our business and experiencing more strategic investment than ever before.

About you

So what are we looking for from you? First and foremost you'll be able to demonstrate a wealth of experience in leading technical teams as well as be able to inspire, influence and galvanise stakeholders to an Exec level while working towards the overall common objective. In the same way you will be able to communicate to both Business and Technical audiences.

When it comes to Technology you'll really know your stuff; you'll take the lead in running workshops, providing thought leadership and be a natural motivator with excellent people management skills. It goes without saying you'll be a self-starter, who is able to lead from the front using your own initiative with little guidance. When it comes to building and maturing architecture practise you'll have a comprehensive understanding of frameworks, techniques and methodologies. Similarly, you will be able to produce landscape models of existing technical solutions while considering both operational and technical components.

It not surprising then we'd require you to have proven experience in the following areas;

• eCommerce and web based architecture (C2B & B2B)
• Application development (Java, Oracle, RDBMS, Weblogic)
• System Integration (Authentication and Security with 3rd parties)
• Package Selection and RFP/RFI support
• Mainframe solutions (IBM z/os)
• Strong understanding of IAM principals and standards including SAML, OpenID
• Message architectures and service message orientated architecture
• End-to-end SDLC experience, including experience in an operational IT environment and/or programme management skills

Above all your communication skills will be excellent enabling you to liaise with all levels of our organisation. Networking and influencing will be at the heart of what you do and your dynamic self-motivated approach will empower you to excel in this role. This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to progress within a successful and growing organisation.

About the Rewards

This role is a Band C in the LV= Structure. To find out more about our bands, click to view our FAQ page here

We want you to love what you do. That's why we've put together a benefits package that recognises and rewards a job well done. We'll give you:

• a competitive pension (please click here to read more about it)
• an annual bonus scheme
• 30 days' holiday
• private medical insurance through BUPA
• a flexible benefits package (eg: dental insurance, childcare vouchers, retail vouchers)
• and a generous 25% discount off our general insurance products including home and car, and up to 12% off our life products

Here at LV= we always love to hear from great people, so don't forget to follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and become a fan on Facebook. We're also proud to say we're an equal opportunities employer.