Chief Enterprise Architect [Must have TOGAF, Zachman]

Chief Enterprise Architect [Must have TOGAF, Zachman ]
Atlanta, GA
12+ Months
Local Candidates Only

We are seeking a visionary and collaborative Chief Enterprise Architect to lead our architectural initiatives and drive innovation across the organization, further strengthening our position as a key enabler of GDOT's mission and goals.


Position Overview

As the Chief Enterprise Architect at GDOT IT, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our technology landscape as a key member of the executive leadership team. This senior leadership position reports directly to the CIO/CTO and works alongside other executive leaders including the Head of PMO, Head of IT Applications, and Head of IT Infrastructure. You will lead a dedicated team of enterprise architects to maintain and modernize the evolving transformation of GDOT IT, while also guiding and managing Solution Architects across the organization. You will be responsible for driving the implementation of a comprehensive enterprise architecture that aligns with GDOT's strategic goals and enables efficient, effective, and innovative transportation solutions. Additionally, you will establish and oversee collaborative structures such as Communities of Practice, Centers of Excellence, and Architectural Review Boards to foster alignment and innovation. Your work will directly support GDOT's mission by leveraging technology to enhance safety, sustainability, and mobility across Georgia's transportation system.


Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Develop and maintain a forward-thinking enterprise architecture strategy that supports GDOT's mission and objectives

• Collaborate with executive leadership to align IT initiatives with business goals and transportation needs

• Lead and mentor a team of Enterprise Architects specializing in Security, Data, Applications, and Infrastructure domains

• Oversee and guide Solutions Architects across various sub-departments

• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing within the Enterprise Architecture team and across the IT division

• Ensure that all architectural decisions and initiatives contribute to GDOT's strategic goals of safety, system preservation, project delivery, mobility, and employee development

• Support and Shepherd the IT division in its role as a critical enabler of GDOT's mission, identifying opportunities to leverage technology for transformative impact

2. Team Leadership and Development

• Build, manage, and develop a high-performing team of Enterprise Architects across various domains

• Guide and manage the various Solution Architects throughout the organization

• Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations for team members

• Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities to grow architectural capabilities

• Foster collaboration between the Enterprise Architecture team and other IT and business units

• Implement a holistic approach that addresses People, Process, Technology, and Culture dimensions of change

• Partner closely with PMO to drive and support change management for both internal and external customers

• Recommend and oversee organizational structures such as Communities of Practice, Centers of Excellence, Guilds, Change Control Boards, and Architectural Review Boards

• Design and implement collaborative structures that create alignment and foster innovation across IT departments

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Gather requirements and insights from diverse stakeholders, including leadership, customers, and frontline staff

• Facilitate collaborative decision-making processes to ensure all voices are heard and considered in architectural decisions

• Build strong relationships with internal and external partners to drive technology adoption and success

• Engage with transportation experts to understand how technology can best support GDOT's mission of innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility

• Act as a bridge between IT and other GDOT divisions, ensuring technology solutions are aligned with operational needs


4. Collaborative Standards Development and Governance

• Facilitate the co-creation of enterprise architecture standards and best practices through inclusive, cross-functional workshops and working groups

• Foster a culture of shared ownership in architectural standards by involving stakeholders from various departments in the development process

• Establish and chair Architectural Review Boards as needed to govern technology decisions and ensure alignment with enterprise standards

• Design and implement effective Change Control processes that balance governance with agility

• Lead and oversee Communities of Practice, Centers of Excellence, and Guilds to promote knowledge sharing and standardization

• Guide the establishment of flexible governance processes that encourage adherence to standards while allowing for innovation and agility

• Lead regular, collaborative reviews of standards to ensure they evolve with emerging technologies and changing business needs

• Ensure that architectural standards align with and support GDOT's goals, particularly in streamlining processes and improving access for small businesses

• Develop and implement strategies to communicate the value and benefits of standards across the organization, encouraging voluntary adoption

5. Research and Innovation Initiatives

• Spearhead research initiatives to explore emerging technologies and their potential applications within GDOT

• Organize and facilitate proof-of-concept (POC) projects to test innovative solutions in real-world scenarios

• Lead hackathons and innovation challenges that bring together diverse teams to solve complex transportation problems

• Establish partnerships with academic institutions, research centers, and industry leaders to stay at the forefront of technological advancements

• Create and maintain an innovation lab or sandbox environment where teams can experiment with new technologies and approaches

• Develop a framework for evaluating and scaling successful POCs and hackathon outcomes into enterprise-wide solutions

• Foster a culture of continuous learning and experimentation across the IT division and broader GDOT organization

6. Solution Architecture Support

• Mentor and guide Solutions Architects, ensuring they have the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed

• Collaborate with Solutions Architects to align their work with the broader enterprise architecture vision

• Facilitate knowledge transfer and cross-pollination of ideas between different architectural teams

• Ensure that solution architectures contribute to GDOT's goals of project delivery and mobility enhancement

7. Technology Enablement

• Develop and implement training programs to enhance the technical capabilities of GDOT IT staff

• Identify emerging technologies and evaluate their potential impact on GDOT's operations

• Lead proof-of-concept initiatives to test and validate new technologies before broader adoption

• Focus on technologies that can enhance safety, sustainability, and mobility in Georgia's transportation system

• Champion the role of IT as a strategic enabler, demonstrating how technology drives GDOT's mission forward

8. Communication and Change Management

• Articulate complex architectural concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences

• Develop and execute change management strategies to support the adoption of new architectural approaches

• Create and maintain documentation to support the understanding and implementation of enterprise architecture principles

• Communicate how architectural initiatives support GDOT's vision of increasing Georgia's competitiveness through transportation leadership

• Promote the value of IT initiatives in enabling GDOT's mission across the organization

• Partner closely with PMO to implement effective change management practices that address both technical and human aspects of transformation


Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field; Master's degree preferred (or equivalent experience as an Enterprise Architect or Chief Enterprise Architect)

• 10+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, with a focus on government or transportation sectors a plus;

• Proven experience leading teams of architects and technical professionals

• Experience establishing and managing organizational structures such as Communities of Practice, Centers of Excellence, and Architectural Review Boards

• Demonstrated background in addressing People, Process, Technology, and Culture dimensions of organizational change

• Strong understanding of enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman)

• Experience guiding and managing Solution Architects across different business domains

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels of the organization

• Proven track record of leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives

• Experience with cloud technologies, data analytics, and emerging technologies such as AI and IoT

• Knowledge of transportation systems and smart city concepts is a plus

• Demonstrated ability to align technology initiatives with organizational missions and goals

• Experience in positioning IT as a strategic enabler in large organizations

• Strong partnership capabilities, particularly in collaborating with PMO to support change initiatives


Location Requirements

• Must be able to work onsite at our Downtown Atlanta office located at West Peachtree

• Must be accessible and local to the Metro Atlanta area