Managing Architect

Maritz•Fenton, MO

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Provides the technical direction, leadership and strategy for typically a single client or technical system, as well as managing the Development staff supporting that clients or system. Delivering innovative technical solutions that generate client and stakeholder value and competitive advantage. This role is a blend between a people manager and a technical role on the team!

Requirements

Five years experience directing software development teams and managers.
Advanced knowledge of best-in-class technical tools, techniques, and processes.
Solid understanding of IT technologies and project management tools (including Agile development).
Proven ability to effectively create prototypes and experiments with technologies.
Ability to manage multiple projects/priorities simultaneously.
Customer-facing experience.
Provides thought leadership in the technology space. Combines technology with various aspects of marketing and loyalty solutions.
Actively contributes during internal strategy meetings and external client meetings.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with leadership presence (consultative approach).

Nice To Haves

Experience with AI-assisted development tools a plus (e.g. Claude Code, GitHub Copilot).
Experience with cloud infrastructure (e.g. GCP, AWS).

Responsibilities

Lead by creating a common vision around technical direction, and creating a positive environment of creativity, motivation, and personal development.
Facilitate agile practices, embed agile values, and promote talent development and reskilling for team.
Function as a mentor preparing and making presentations, consulting to individuals, teams and junior architects. Provide direction and developmental leadership for the team (including an emerging AI development ecosystem). Deliver performance feedback and coaching to direct reports.
Work closely with the client services and product management teams to balance strategic objectives, operational needs, and client requirements to ensure successful program delivery.
Assist in managing the budget for multiple development teams, projects, and technology spend.
On-time, on-budget, and scope-aligned. Drives successful project outcomes by managing timelines, resources, and scope, ensuring projects meet their objectives within established constraints.
Engage directly with Product Management, Business Operations, Creative, Decision Science, and Senior Management teams, ensuring effective communication across all areas. Includes strong execution skills in working with teams to deliver solutions.
Provide IT-related solutions/updates and participation in client business reviews (QBR’s), SOW reviews, and consultative support.
Consult as a technology subject matter expert, drive capabilities presentations, and articulate Maritz' value proposition to clients.
Creates and maintains a "big-picture" view of the product design (architecture / logical design / integrations).
Experience managing large budgets for client work.
Responsible for architecture standards and patterns, solution design approval, technology stack, and tech debt strategy (a key input to roadmap).
Manage technology vendors that support the technology stack.
Work with cross-functional teams to create technology strategies, roadmaps, and customer-centric perspectives across the entire customer journey … from acquisition through experience and into retention.
Collaborate with teams to develop strategies, infusing insights into technology solutions that inspire marketing and loyalty innovations.
Stay ahead of market trends, translating early ideas and thinking into strategic planning to maintain a competitive edge. Proactively seek out new technologies or integrations to expand business opportunities. Leverage AI-assisted development tools.
Communicate technological advancements to internal teams and clients, ensuring alignment with the core business objectives.
Apply architectural and engineering concepts to design a solution that meets client and operational requirements, such as scalability, maintainability, security, reliability, extensibility, availability, and manageability.
Understanding of security posture management and compliance frameworks (PCI, SOC 2).
Ability to critically evaluate AI-generated code and configurations for correctness, security, and performance.
Understanding of responsible AI use principles in an enterprise engineering context.