Director Enterprise Architecture

OverviewThe Director, Enterprise Architecture at SPP is a senior leadership role responsible for shaping the organization’s technology landscape and ensuring IT practices align with business objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry best standards. The position serves as the strategic bridge between technology and business, driving enterprise architecture initiatives while establishing robust governance frameworks to manage risk, compliance, and performance.

The director leads the development and maintenance of enterprise architecture standards across infrastructure, applications, data, and security domains, ensuring scalability, interoperability, and alignment with organizational goals. In parallel, they oversee IT governance programs, including policy creation, risk management, and compliance monitoring, to maintain transparency and accountability in all technology operations.

As a key advisor to executive leadership, the Director, Enterprise Architecture evaluates emerging technologies, guides digital transformation efforts, and fosters collaboration among stakeholders to deliver secure, efficient, and innovative solutions. This role demands a visionary leader with deep technical expertise, strong governance acumen, and the ability to influence strategic decisions that shape the future of the enterprise.

Essential FunctionsIT Architecture ResponsibilitiesDefine and maintain enterprise architecture standardsDevelop frameworks for infrastructure, applications, data, and security architecture to ensure consistency and scalability across the organizationAlign technology with business strategyWork with business leaders to create conceptual and target‑state architectures that support organizational goalsOversee solution design and integrationParticipate in solution lifecycle activities, including planning, analysis, testing, and integration of platforms and systemsAssess new tools and platforms for potential adoption to improve efficiency and innovationEvaluate emerging technologiesIT Governance ResponsibilitiesDevelop and implement governance frameworksEstablish policies, standards, and controls to ensure IT processes align with business objectives and regulatory requirementsRisk management and complianceOversee IT risk assessments, compliance audits, and ensure adherence to frameworks like COBIT, ISO/IEC 38500, and ITILPolicy creation and enforcementDefine IT policies for data management and operational processes and ensure they are consistently appliedPerformance monitoring and reportingTrack IT performance metrics, governance KPIs, and report to executive leadership on compliance and risk postureLeadership and Strategic InfluenceGuide architecture and governance teamsProvide leadership, mentoring, and direction to architects and governance specialistsDrive digital transformation initiativesEnsure architectural and governance practices support modernization efforts like AI and cloud adoption, automation, and cybersecurityProvide executive management for enterprise architecture design, development and supportRepresent SPP on project review and prioritization committeesEstablish and maintain a data lifecycle and data governance programFacilitate the creation of the technical vision and associated roadmaps needed for ensuring the future of SPP’s technology needs can be met in a reliable, secure, efficient and cost‑effective mannerEstablish strategic and tactical goals for achieving the shared architectural visionEstablish strategic relationships with IT, SPP business stakeholders, vendors, and peer RTOs to meet business needs and develop a forward‑looking technology vision for SPPFoster a culture of innovation and automation across the IT departmentFacilitate the implementation, monitoring, and documentation of robust processes for the evaluation of technologies by providing leadership and technical consulting as appropriatePossess high‑level knowledge of network infrastructure, server platforms, storage, file systems, databases, architectural styles, software development, and client platformsEnsure new technologies are continuously assessed for improving the functional, financial, and reliable performance of SPP and its members, and lead efforts to introduce new technologies consistent with stakeholder needsPerform assignments with guidance from the Senior Vice President, IT on overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts, industry developments and policy mattersProvide technical consulting and expertise to SPP staff, committees and working groupsRepresent SPP at industry committees and working group meetings, particularly the ISO/RTO IT Committee’s Technology Working GroupMentor, encourage and develop technology leadership within ITDemonstrate SPP culture drivers of efficiency, collaboration and continuous improvementEnsure unwavering compliance with all applicable standards and controlsEducation RequirementsBachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, IT Engineering, or a related field.Experience RequirementsTwelve (12) years technical experience, including at least five (5) years in an architecture leadership role.Required Skills and QualificationsDemonstrable leadership skills aligned with SPP’s core valuesDemonstrated experience building and leading architecture functions or teamsProven success in designing and implementing enterprise‑wide technology strategiesStrong understanding of enterprise, application, data, and infrastructure architecture disciplinesExperience with modern architectures including AI, cloud, microservices, API‑driven design, and data platformsExcellent collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organizationAbility to balance strategic vision with practical executionKnowledge and experience with Enterprise Architecture methodologies and frameworksEffective communication with engineers, management, and senior management, including officers of other companies, for requests, analysis, guidance and presentationsUnderstanding of business requirements and the process of translating them into well‑engineered technical solutionsAbility to apply business case development and project justification techniques to varying IT questions or recommendationsExceptional critical thinking skills, ability to accurately analyze information and recommend sound decisionsExcellent organizational skillsUnderstanding and maintaining compliance with SPP Policies and ProceduresPreferredPrevious knowledge of the energy and/or utilities industryAdvanced degrees in Information Technology‑related fields or engineering are desirableEqual Opportunity StatementSPP is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request. SPP will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the ADA.

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