Director, Solutions Architecture

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Director, Technology Consulting - ICT (Insurance Consulting and Technology)

The Technology Consulting (TC) function within ICT (Insurance Consulting and Technology) is responsible for delivering a wide range of advisory services related to Insurance Technology. These services encompass software products, enterprise platforms, and strategic consulting across key technology domains.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Client Engagements & Industry Challenges:
   • Direct and participate in consulting engagements with clients to address industry demands, focusing on: 
     • Solution Architecture & Technology Advisory
     • Data Architecture, Strategy, and Consulting
2. Software Rollouts & Implementations:
   • Manage and drive the deployment of software solutions and SaaS/Cloud implementations (e.g., Unify, Radar Live, IFRS17, Radar Fusion).
3. Pre-Sales & Complex Technology Solutions:
   • Support pre-sales activities, particularly for complex technology solutions, ensuring tailored offerings meet client needs.
4. Program & Project Delivery:
   • Lead the delivery and program management of high-value, complex technology projects from inception through execution.
   • Oversee software product installation and integration.
5. CIO/Senior Technologist Engagement:
   • Engage with senior executives, including CIOs, to align technology strategies with business objectives.
6. Voice of the Customer (VOC):
   • Function as a voice of the customer representing customer requirements, specifically non-functional requirements, for our software and SaaS offerings.

Leadership Role: The Director of Technology Consulting will drive the success of the function, overseeing the development of data strategy, design, and architecture capabilities in complex domains. The role requires integrating the voice of the market and clients into both internal and external deliverables.

Expectations:

• Drive the growth of the ICT business, developing and marketing technology propositions.
• Continuously improve team capabilities and contribute to high-value programs.
• Lead and manage cross-functional teams to deliver successful client engagements.
• Build and maintain senior-level relationships both internally within WTW and externally with clients.

Key Areas of Focus:

• Complex Solutions & Technical Leadership:
  • Build and sustain technical expertise in complex solution architecture.
  • Serve as a point of contact for advice and guidance on best practices in architecture and technology.
• Data Architecture:
  • Lead the develop and maintenance of propositions for Data Strategy, design, and architecture.
  • Ensure alignment and management of capacity planning in collaboration with Technology and Insurance Consulting colleagues.
• Client Sales & Engagement Support:
  • Guide client sales processes, including RfP management and client presentations.
  • Lead discovery sessions and design solutions tailored to client needs.
  • Coordinate and manage engagements, ensuring clear ownership of WTW responsibilities.
• Collaboration with Insurance Consulting & Other Functions:
  • Partner with colleagues across Insurance Consulting and Insurance Technology to integrate technology consulting services.
  • Contribute to the development of new market propositions, ensuring alignment across ICT.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Promote global best practices in technology consulting.
• Review and enhance deliverables to ensure consistency, completeness, and alignment with regional messaging.
• Stay current on industry trends and emerging technologies, particularly in insurance.
• Foster strong, trust-based relationships with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that client expectations are met.

Team Development & Growth: As a senior colleague within the Technology Consulting function, you will play a critical role in shaping and growing our technology consulting capabilities, contributing to the evolution of the team and its impact on the business.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Deep experience in a global technology consulting, professional services, or client-facing software organization, with a proven track record of delivering complex solutions.
  OR
• Experience in a global technology consulting, professional services, or client-facing software organization, combined with experience at an insurance carrier
• Deep knowledge of the Insurance Industry, including its technology and business demands  in the current market as well as future facing trends.
• Strong analytical and technical problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to navigate complex challenges and develop innovative solutions.
• Proven expertise in the data domain, including data strategy, architecture, and integration across various systems.
• Demonstrated ability to design, articulate, and develop complex IT architectures, both in pre-sales and post-sales contexts.
• Comfortable adapting to situations where limited information is available about a client’s technology stack, and able to define solutions based on evolving requirements.
• Experience in solution discovery and design, leading workshops, and utilizing tools for data integration designs, taking both technical and data considerations into account.
• Extensive experience in solution design, including an understanding of the impacts, best practices, and emerging technology trends.
• Expertise in data strategy and architecture, with hands-on experience in ingesting, modeling, and serving data from various sources (e.g., core business/finance systems).
• In-depth knowledge of structured and unstructured data storage solutions and database technologies, particularly those native to cloud platforms (focus on Data Warehousing technologies).
• Proven success in managing client relationships through the entire consulting lifecycle: Sales, Design, and Delivery.

Highly Desirable Skills and Experience:

• Project Management Accreditation (e.g., Prince2, AgilePM, Scrum) demonstrating familiarity with both Waterfall and Agile methodologies.
• Architecture Methodology Accreditation (e.g., TOGAF) with experience applying frameworks to technology solution design.
• Familiarity with Cloud computing platforms such as Azure or AWS, with practical experience in leveraging cloud technologies for enterprise solutions.
• Experience in contracting professional services with large, complex organizations, including negotiating and delivering on multi-faceted projects.
• Hands-on technical experience with SQL Server, data technologies, and Python-based tools, with the ability to implement technical solutions.
• Awareness of current and emerging technologies, including their potential applications, benefits, and limitations.(ICT_TECH TC_2024_12R)

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