Solution Architect Manager

Overview

The Solutions Architecture Manager is a senior technology leader responsible for leading solution architecture and providing technical leadership across the CIO Technology portfolio.

Reporting to the Chief Enterprise Architect, this role leads the Solutions Architecture practice and partners with technology and business leaders to define solution architectures, delivery roadmaps, and implementation plans aligned with Enterprise Architecture standards, reference architectures, and target-state direction.

This leader will manage a team of approximately nine Solution Architects supporting enterprise applications and platforms while supporting cloud modernization, engineering excellence, AI-enabled solutions, and adherence to architecture standards.

The ideal candidate combines deep engineering expertise, architecture leadership, and executive presence, with the ability to shape technology outcomes through architecture leadership and delivery execution.

Success Profile

The ideal candidate is a highly technical architect who has built a career progressing from software engineering into architecture leadership. They possess the technical depth to engage engineers on design decisions while also having the executive presence to influence senior technology and business leaders. Most importantly, they can bridge business requirements, solution design, and engineering execution while ensuring alignment with Enterprise Architecture principles, standards, and target-state architectures to drive meaningful business outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide architecture leadership across the assigned portfolio, partnering with business, product, and engineering teams to align solution decisions with business priorities and Enterprise Architecture direction.

• Guide delivery teams through architecture decisions, technical dependencies, sequencing, implementation trade-offs, and translation of architecture into actionable delivery plans and milestones.

• Provide architectural leadership for portfolio planning by identifying dependencies, sequencing initiatives, and reducing technology risk during execution.

• Lead, develop, and optimize a team of Solution Architects supporting a broad portfolio of enterprise applications and platforms.

• Develop Solution Architects through coaching, mentoring, architecture reviews, and career development programs.

• Own solution architecture development, implementation roadmap creation, and transition planning aligned with business objectives, engineering priorities, and Enterprise Architecture standards.

• Accountable for the architectural integrity, scalability, resiliency, and maintainability of solutions delivered within the assigned portfolio.

• Lead the solution design and implementation planning for application modernization, cloud transformation, AI/GenAI initiatives, and engineering improvements.

• Ensure proposed solutions comply with Enterprise Architecture standards, cybersecurity policies, risk controls, and regulatory requirements.

• Collaborate with Enterprise Architects to ensure portfolio solutions align with enterprise standards, reference architectures, and target-state architectures.

• Partner with Engineering, Cybersecurity, Risk, Data, and Product teams to deliver innovative technology solutions.

• Translate complex technical concepts into clear recommendations for executive stakeholders.

• Utilize architecture and operational metrics to evaluate solution effectiveness and identify improvement opportunities.

• Assess emerging technologies, platforms, and architectural patterns to improve solution quality, delivery speed, and operational effectiveness within the supported portfolio.

• Foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
  
  
  
  

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities

Manage and develop a team of approximately 9 Solution Architects and associated contract resources.

Technical Expertise

• Solution Architecture, Application Architecture, and Technology Design

• Azure Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Platforms

• Application Modernization

• API and Integration Architecture

• Data Integration and Data Solution Design

• DevSecOps and CI/CD

• Secure Solution Design and Security Architecture Principles

• AI/GenAI Solution Design and Implementation

• Agile and SAFe Delivery

• Banking Risk, Regulatory, and Control Frameworks
  
  
  
  

The successful candidate will possess deep expertise in Solution Architecture and application modernization, along with experience across multiple technology domains including cloud, integration, data, security, DevSecOps, and AI-enabled solutions. This role leads architects across diverse technology areas and is expected to leverage specialist architects, subject matter experts, and engineering teams where appropriate. The successful candidate is not expected to be the deepest technical expert in every domain.

Education & Experience Required

• Bachelor's degree and 12+ years of progressive experience in Software Engineering, Application Architecture, or Solution Architecture.

• 5+ years of leadership experience managing highly technical teams.

• Demonstrated progression from hands-on engineering into architecture and leadership roles.

• Experience partnering with technology leaders, engineering teams, and business stakeholders to deliver complex technology initiatives.

• Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.

• Proven experience leading large-scale modernization and transformation initiatives within complex environments.

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M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $139,700.00 - $232,900.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation. The range listed above corresponds to our national pay range for this role. The specific pay range applicable to you may vary based on your location.

Location

Clanton, Alabama, United States of America