Dir Sr, Enterprise Architecture

GCI Communication Corp•Anchorage, AK

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

GCI's Dir Sr, Enterprise Architecture will provide executive leadership for the Enterprise Architecture function by establishing the long-term technology vision, enterprise architecture strategy, governance framework, and modernization roadmap that enable GCI's strategic business objectives. Responsible for aligning enterprise technology investments, business capabilities, cybersecurity, data, infrastructure, and application strategies into a cohesive enterprise architecture that supports innovation, operational excellence, scalability, resiliency, and sustainable growth. Serves as the senior technology advisor to executive leadership, shaping enterprise technology direction, influencing investment decisions, and driving digital transformation initiatives across the organization. Leads multiple architecture disciplines and managers while fostering an architecture-first culture that promotes innovation, technology standardization, operational efficiency, and sound technology governance. Accountable for enterprise architecture governance, technology lifecycle planning, architecture standards, portfolio modernization, solution reviews, technical risk management, technology lifecycle planning, and executive decision support to ensure technology investments deliver measurable business value while reducing complexity, cost, and enterprise risk.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent.
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Information Technology, or related fields.
Fifteen (15) or more years of progressively responsible experience in enterprise architecture, information technology, software engineering, technology strategy, or technology leadership, including:
Eight (8) or more years leading enterprise architecture organizations or multiple architecture disciplines through managers and senior technical leaders.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing enterprise technology strategies, architecture roadmaps, and digital transformation initiatives.
Experience leading enterprise architecture governance, executive technology planning, and strategic investment decision-making.
Extensive experience with enterprise applications, cloud platforms, integration technologies, data architecture, cybersecurity, AI-enabled solutions, and modern software delivery practices.
Demonstrated success influencing executive leadership, leading enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, and aligning technology strategy with business objectives.
Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively, such as using the company intranet and to accurately retrieve and input information into database or equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business Administration, or related field.
Enterprise Architecture certification such as TOGAF, Gartner, Zachman, FEAC, or equivalent.
Cloud certifications from AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.
Experience within telecommunications, technology services, or highly regulated industries.
Experience leading large-scale digital transformation and modernization programs.
Experience with enterprise platforms including ERP, CRM, data analytics, customer experience platforms, and cloud-native technologies.
Experience with Agile, DevSecOps, product delivery models, and enterprise portfolio management practices.
Experience or Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Scaled Agile Certified Scrum Master (Basic and/or Advanced), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Agile Scrum Master (ASM), Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO), Agile Certified Professional (ACP), IC Agile, LEAN Six Sigma, ITIL Certification (v3 or 4) , Foundation, Practitioner, Intermediate, Expert, Managing Professional, Strategic Leader, or Master

Responsibilities

Fully own the mission, goals, operations, and results of the team and areas of responsibility.
Provide strong leadership to span of control (direct and indirect reports); demonstrate effective leadership in all interactions companywide. This leadership includes generating enthusiasm and shared commitment; identifying and setting direction; teaching, growing, and empowering; owning outcomes; and leading by example.
Establishing the vision and tone for the department, consistent with company culture and mission.
Establishing clear, measurable, and achievable goals and performance expectations and following up appropriately.
Hiring individuals who can accomplish those goals and meet those expectations; providing them the open communication, training, tools, and mentoring needed to be successful and develop professionally; establishing a development path commensurate with capabilities and potential.
Providing clear and accurate feedback to individuals and teams on a timely and consistent basis. Identifying and addressing performance problems early and effectively before they damage GCI’s interests and demoralize other employees.
Effectively managing processes including annual performance reviews, compensation adjustments, promotions, demotions, transfers, and disciplinary actions up to and including termination in an unbiased and consistent manner.
Define and continuously evolve the enterprise architecture vision, operating model, governance framework, and strategic direction for the organization.
Lead enterprise-wide architecture strategy spanning applications, cloud, data, infrastructure, integration, security, AI, and emerging technologies.
Establish long-range enterprise technology roadmaps supporting business growth, digital transformation, operational excellence, and customer experience.
Chair executive architecture governance boards and enterprise design authorities.
Serve as the executive authority for enterprise architecture standards, technology principles, and strategic solution direction.
Influence executive investment decisions by balancing business priorities, technology capabilities, financial stewardship, and enterprise risk.
Build and develop a high-performing architecture organization through strategic leadership, succession planning, talent development, and organizational capability growth.
Partner with executive leadership to define enterprise technology strategies that enable long-term corporate objectives.
Lead enterprise modernization initiatives including cloud transformation, application rationalization, platform modernization, automation, AI adoption, and digital capabilities.
Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to identify strategic opportunities that improve competitiveness and operational performance.
Develop enterprise technology investment strategies and business cases supporting long-term value creation.
Ensure enterprise architecture enables agility, innovation, security, resiliency, scalability, and operational efficiency.
Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to executive leadership on enterprise technology strategy, architecture governance, modernization priorities, and technology investments.
Influence enterprise-wide decision making through executive presentations, governance forums, and strategic planning activities.
Build collaborative partnerships across business units, technology organizations, cybersecurity, finance, operations, legal, and external partners.
Represent Enterprise Architecture in executive planning, mergers, strategic initiatives, vendor engagements, and enterprise transformation programs.
Provide executive oversight for architecture governance, solution review processes, enterprise standards, and technology lifecycle management.
Ensure enterprise solutions align with business strategy, cybersecurity requirements, operational support models, compliance obligations, and enterprise architecture principles.
Approve strategic architecture exceptions, technology standards, modernization priorities, and enterprise technical direction.
Oversee enterprise technology portfolio health, technical debt reduction, architecture compliance, and modernization initiatives.
Lead strategic planning, budgeting, organizational planning, workforce strategy, and investment prioritization for the Enterprise Architecture organization.
Establish architecture performance metrics, governance effectiveness measures, and organizational maturity objectives.
Optimize enterprise technology investments through lifecycle planning, portfolio rationalization, and cost optimization strategies.
Build executive reporting that demonstrates technology value, architecture maturity, modernization progress, and business outcomes.