Principal Architect - Communications Platform (SMS) - Remote

Salary$NegotiableLocationNew York, NY, USAContractPermanentTypeRemoteIndustryLife InsuranceContactKelly View email address on click.appcast.io Principal Architect – Communications Platform (SMS)/ Build-Buy Decision Lead – Remote ContractWe’re partnering with a leading Insurance organization that’s evolving its SMS and communications platform capability, and is looking for an experienced SMS Architect to bring clarity and direction to a complex, multi-domain transformation.This isn’t a traditional architecture role. We’re looking for someone vendor-neutral who can step into cross-domain complexity, close out technical decisions that span multiple teams, and translate them into sequenced, value-led delivery, without stepping on Product’s or Engineering’s toes.Working across 3-4 teams spanning Business, Technology, and third-party vendors, you’ll define target and transition architecture for the SMS stack, assess integration patterns, and advise on the build vs. buy vs. reuse decisions that will shape the platform’s future.Key responsibilities include:Defining target and transition architecture across the SMS/communications stack, including delivery, short codes, templates, consent, retention and orchestration.Understanding how core platform components (e.g. DCP, EP, SLX, Chorus) and Line of Business systems fit together, and the cross-domain impacts of architectural change.Advising on build vs. buy vs. reuse decisions, with the judgment to know when each is the right call.Working across 3-4 teams to understand integration patterns and assess the implications of decisions across each.Closing cross-domain technical decisions and translating them into sequenced, value-led delivery work.Supporting vendor evaluation, ideally staying through the first end-to-end implementation.Advising on the operating model: vendor management, consent enforcement, records/legal hold, incident ownership and LOB adoption.We’re looking for someone with strong Enterprise Architecture experience within SMS/communications platforms, and a clear understanding of transition architecture and how decisions in one domain (e.g. login/authentication) ripple into others.You’ll be confident operating vendor-neutral, comfortable closing decisions across multiple stakeholder groups, and experienced enough to advise credibly on operating model considerations in a regulated environment. Previous experience within Insurance or another highly regulated industry would be highly beneficial.This is a 3-month remote contract (with high chance of extension) opportunity offering the chance to shape the architecture of a business-critical communications platform.If you’re interested in learning more, apply today or get in touch for a confidential conversation.