Job DescriptionGCI'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.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This leadership position requires the following non-delegable 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. Specific leadership duties include:
- 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 terminationin an unbiased and consistent manner.
Enterprise Architecture Strategy & Executive Leadership - 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.
Enterprise Technology Strategy & Business Transformation - 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.
Executive Partnership & Organizational Influence - 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.
Enterprise Architecture Governance & Portfolio Oversight - 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.
Financial Stewardship & Organizational Leadership - 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.
COMPETENCIES: - ACCOUNTABILITY- Takes ownership for actions, decisions, and results; openly accepts feedback and demonstrates a willingness to improve.
- Proven ability to lead an organization to high levels of performance while maintaining morale and personal growth for employees.
- owns and manages priorities and individual tasks without direct supervision.
- Take the initiative and seek out opportunities.
- BASIC PRINCIPLES - Interacts with people in a way that builds mutual trust, confidence, and respect; adheres to GCI's Code of Conduct for Employees - the Basic Principles.
- COLLABORATION - Works effectively with others to accomplish common goals and objectives; maintains positive relationships even under difficult circumstances.
- COMMUNICATION- Conveys thoughts and expresses ideas appropriately and professionally.
- Ability to accurately communicate information virtually (i.e., Teams), over the phone, and in-person in a clear and concise manner to a range of audiences.
- COMPLIANCE - Follows internal controls; protects confidential information; abides by GCI's Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
- CUSTOMER FOCUS - Demonstrates commitment to service excellence; gives high priority to customer satisfaction.
- RELIABILITY - Consistently follows through on assigned tasks as expected; demonstrates timely attendance at meetings, training, and other work obligations.
- RESULTS - Uses a combination of job knowledge, initiative, sound decision making, innovation, adaptability, and problem solving.
- SAFETY & SECURITY - Supports a safe work environment by following all workplace safety rules and guidelines; complies with applicable Security policies and procedures.
- CHANGE MANAGEMENT: champions and supports department and company change.
- DECISION MAKING: uses sound, logical judgment based on data, research, and experience to choose an appropriate course of action.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze complex challenging problems and situations leading to optimal solutions.
- PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION: analyzes workload and establishes appropriate priorities; sets measurable and achievable goals and objectives for the team.
- MENTORING & DEVELOPMENT: utilizes interpersonal skills to guide, direct, and influence others to achieve results.
- Ability to act as a positive mentor and coach subordinates and instill a coaching environment in the organization.
- PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT: sets clear performance expectations for team.
- 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.
Minimum Qualifications: Required: *A combination of relevant work experience and/or education sufficient to perform the duties of the job may substitute to meet the total years required on a year-for-year basis
- 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.
Preferred: - 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
DRIVING REQUIREMENTS:
- This position requires driving a company-owned vehicle, company provided vehicle, or a personal vehicle on behalf of the company. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license, proof of insurance, a satisfactory driving record, and successfully complete Defensive Driving course.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and WORKING CONDITIONS: - Work performed at offices, remote offices, and client sites.
- Interaction with upset customers, vendors, or employees may occur.
- Position requires regular travelfor business and training purposes, including travel during scoping, requirements, development, testing, or business development activities.
- Work is primarily sedentary, requiring daily routine computer usage.
- Ability to work shifts as assigned, work in standard office/home office setting, and operate standard office equipment.
- Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.
- Physical agility and effort sufficiently to perform job duties safely and effectively.
- Ability to make valid judgments and decisions.
- Available to work additional time on weekends, holidays, before or after normal work hours when necessary.
- Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.
- Virtual workers must comply with remote work policies and agreements.
