Varicent - Director, IT Architecture

• 1. Enterprise Architecture Strategy & Governance • · Define and execute a multi-year enterprise architecture roadmap aligned to company business priorities and growth. • · Establish architectural principles, standards, and reference patterns. • · Provide architectural oversight across SaaS platforms, infrastructure, endpoint management, identity, data, and integrations. • · Serve as the escalation point for complex, cross-functional technical decisions and problem resolution. • · Chair and formalize an Architecture Review Board (ARB). • · Help ensure emerging technologies, including AI-driven solutions, are introduced into the enterprise environment in a structured, secure, and scalable way. • 2. Endpoint & Workforce Platform Architecture • · Provide architectural direction for workforce platforms, including: • · Hardware and approved software standards • · Management platforms (JAMF, Intune, Tenable, SysAid...) • · Standardize device lifecycle management, zero-touch provisioning, and compliance enforcement including patch management. • · Ensure endpoint architecture aligns with security and regulatory requirements while meeting the business need for flexibility. • · Drive automation and operational efficiency across device management processes. • 3. Data Engineering & Data Architecture • · Provide architectural leadership for enterprise data foundations, including data lake strategy and modern data platforms. • · Establish scalable patterns for data ingestion, transformation, storage, and access. • · Define data engineering standards, tooling guidance, and integration frameworks. • · Develop and enforce data governance policies covering: • · Data quality and lineage • · Access controls and privacy • · Retention and lifecycle management • · Compliance with regulatory requirements • · Partner with Compliance, Security, RevOps and Operations teams to ensure data platforms support reporting, automation, and AI initiatives. • 1. AI Enablement & Integration (In Partnership with Operations) • · Partner with the Operations AI team, which own the company’s AI strategy and use cases, to help operationalize an AI-first approach to technology across the enterprise. • · Ensure AI tools selected by internal business units are: • · Securely integrated into enterprise systems • · Governed according to data, compliance, and risk standards • · Architected for reliability, scale and maintainability • · Develop repeatable integration patterns for AI tools and automation platforms. • · Support evaluation of platforms in collaboration with the AI team, including exposure to large language model ecosystems such as Claude from Anthropic. • · Define guardrails for responsible AI usage in coordination with Compliance, Security and Operations. • · Establish architectural patterns and guardrails that allow teams to adopt emerging technologies safely while maintaining enterprise standards. • 2. Infrastructure & Cloud Architecture • · Guide architectural direction across: • · Cloud platforms • · Identity and access management • · Networking and secure access • · Collaboration ecosystems • · Establish infrastructure standards emphasizing scalability, resilience, and automation. • · Promote Infrastructure-as-Code, change and configuration management best practices. • · Ensure architectural decisions support both current business needs and future company growth. • 3. Software Consolidation & Value Reclamation • · Lead enterprise-wide software rationalization initiatives. • · Identify redundant platforms and overlapping capabilities. • · Reduce license sprawl and shadow IT. • · Drive vendor consolidation and contract optimization in partnership with Finance. • · Quantify savings, cost avoidance, and operational improvements. • 4. Metrics & Performance Management • · Establish and manage a clear framework to measure architectural effectiveness, efficiency, and risk. • · Create appropriate KPIs, KRIs and OKRs to measure and drive improvements to the services provided focusing on reliability, modernization and others. • · Deliver concise operational dashboards that enable the team to manage the business effectively and create executive dashboards that link architecture decisions to business value, cost optimization, and risk reduction. • 5. Build and Lead an Internal Architecture Community • · Establish and chair an Architecture Review Board. • · Create an approval process and forum for new software and hardware patterns to be added to the company portfolio. • · Develop architectural documentation standards and decision records. • · Mentor senior technologists and emerging architects. • · Foster cross-functional collaboration between IT and all other business units. • · Promote a culture of thoughtful standardization balanced with innovation. • · Act as a key architectural partner to the AI Steering Committee, helping translate successful AI experiments and use cases into scalable enterprise solutions. • · 12+ years in enterprise IT, with 5+ years in architecture leadership. • · Experience in mid-sized, scaling organizations (500–2000 employees). • · Demonstrated success leading platform modernization, data platform evolution, and consolidation initiatives. • · Strong experience in End User Computing management, SaaS ecosystem governance, infrastructure architecture, and data engineering patterns. • · Direct experience with endpoint management platforms such as Jamf and Intune. • 2. Technical Expertise (including hands-on) • · Enterprise architecture frameworks and governance models • · Endpoint technology (Apple, Windows, Linux) and device lifecycle management • · Data lake and data engineering architecture • · Cloud and infrastructure architecture • · Risk and compliance considerations • · Familiarity with managing emerging technologies including AI and automation platforms and their integration into enterprise SaaS ecosystems. • 3. Leadership Profile • · Strategic and systems-oriented thinker. • · Hands-on technologist who maintains credibility with engineering teams. • · Data-driven leader who manages through measurable outcomes. • · Effective cross-functional collaborator, particularly Security, Compliance and AI Operations, leadership and Center of Excellence. • · Strong executive communication skills. • · Comfortable working in environments where emerging technologies evolve rapidly, balancing experimentation with governance. • The expected base salary range for this role is  C$132,768.00 - C$ 165,960.00, and individuals may be eligible to participate in our variable compensation program. • Final compensation may vary based on experience, skills, designations, and market conditions. • This posting is for an existing vacancy. • This hiring process utilizes artificial intelligence tools to assist in candidate screening and assessment. Our AI tools are designed to complement, not replace, human decision-making.