Enterprise Architect - Life Protection

Enterprise Architect – Life Protection

Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.

Location: Swindon/London/Remote Working

The opportunity: 

Zurich Group is on a transformative journey to unify its Life Protection focus under a cohesive global unit within the Zurich Global Ventures portfolio. 

As part of this journey, we’re looking for an experience Enterprise Architect to play a pivotal role in driving transformation within our Life Protection business. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of our technology landscape and ensure alignment between our business strategy and IT delivery.

Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at the interview about the flexibility you may need.

What will you be doing? 

• Define and maintain the enterprise architecture vision, principles, and roadmap aligned with the Life Protection strategy
• Establish and oversee architectural governance processes, ensuring consistency and compliance across BU’s, markets and technology platforms
• Translate business goals and operating models into target architecture that guide investment and transformation decisions
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to ensure architecture solutions enable customer centric scalable, and compliant products and services
• Develop and maintain architecture blueprints for key insurance domains
• Ensure integration across systems and processes
• Guide the selection, design and implementation of core insurance systems (Guidewire or bespoke platforms)
• Define standards for APIs, microservices, data architecture and cloud infrastructure to enable modular, scalable and secure platforms
• Promote adoption of modern technologies, such as AI/ML, automation, blockchain and IoT where relevant
• Embed cyber security privacy and compliance principles into all architectural decisions
• Ensure adherence to insurance regulations across multiple jurisdictions
• Monitor emerging technology and evaluate their fit for the LP business model

What are we looking for?

• Experience in Solution Architecture
• Proficiency in Technical Architecture
• Experience with cloud solutions, including specific training and qualifications in this area and application design within cloud environments
• Understanding of both business and technical needs, with the ability to provide insights and advice on business impacts as well as technological aspects
• Proven track record of delivering multiple projects and IT systems
• Experience in system selection and implementation
• In-depth knowledge of existing technologies, products, and vendors
• Experience in stakeholder management, with the ability to understand stakeholder concerns and offer solutions
• Strong understanding of risk, issue, and change management
• Serve as a liaison between technical teams, business functions, and client teams to facilitate technology solution implementations
• Conduct Solution Architecture reviews with project teams before design and development activities, ensuring that solutions are scalable, aligned with internal product roadmaps, and meet customer business requirements
• Excellent communication skills to engage effectively with technical teams, business teams, other architects, and senior stakeholders, with the ability to explain technological applications and their business impacts
• Strong creative thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities
• Exceptional oral and written communication, facilitation, negotiation, collaborative working, and presentation skills

Desirable:

• Knowledge of the Financial Services Industry
• Proficient in project governance
• Experience and understanding of information security governance and oversight
• Experience of working with both internal and external suppliers and delivery partners
• Relevant architecture accreditation, such as TOGAF certification

As an inclusive employer, we want to ensure that all candidates feel comfortable and can perform at their best during the interview. You’ll have the opportunity to let us know of any reasonable adjustment or practical support needed when you apply.

What will you get in return?

Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday.

Follow the link for more information about our benefits - Employee benefits | Working at Zurich Insurance UK

Who we are:

At Zurich we aspire to be one of the most responsible and impactful businesses in the world and the best global insurer. Together we’re creating a brighter future for our customers, our people and our planet.

With over 55,000 employees in more than 170 countries, you’ll feel the support of being part of a strong and stable company who are a long-standing player in the insurance industry.

We’ve made a promise to each other and every employee; to focus on sustainable impact, to care about each other’s wellbeing, to use our diverse expertise to be curious and optimistic and to develop the skills needed for our future.

If you're interested in working in a dynamic and challenging environment for a company that recognises and rewards your creativity, initiatives and contributions - then Zurich could be just the place for you. Be part of something great.

Our Culture:

At Zurich, our sense of community is strong and we’re particularly passionate about diversity and inclusion, which we’ve won numerous awards for. We want our people to bring the whole of themselves to work and ensure everybody is made to feel welcome, regardless of their background, beliefs or culture. We want our employees to reflect the diversity of our customers, and so are committed to treating all of our applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, disability or any other protected characteristic.

We’ve an environment that places a real importance on our people’s wellbeing from a physical, mental, social and financial perspective. We work with our wellbeing partners and industry experts to provide the best advice and access to a wealth of lifestyle support. We’re also committed to continuous improvement, and we offer access to a comprehensive range of training and development opportunities.

We’re passionate about supporting employees to help others by getting involved in volunteering, charitable and community activity. Our charitable arm, Zurich Community Trust, is one of the longest-established corporate trusts in the UK. In that time, we’ve awarded grants and volunteered time to deserving causes in the UK valued at over £90 million.

So make a difference. Be challenged. Be inspired. Be supported, Love what you do. Work for us. #LI-Hybrid