GDOT- Chief Enterprise Technology Architect

eNcloud Services Immediate Requirement
Title: GDOT- Chief Enterprise Technology Architect
C2C/W2
Location: Atlanta, GA(Hybrid)
Need Locals Only

*Job Description:*
As the Chief Enterprise Architect at GDOT IT, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our technology landscape as a key member of the executive leadership team. This senior leadership position reports directly to the CIO/CTO and works alongside other executive leaders including the Head of PMO, Head of IT Applications, and Head of IT Infrastructure. You will lead a dedicated team of enterprise architects to maintain and modernize the evolving transformation of GDOT IT, while also guiding and managing Solution Architects across the organization. You will be responsible for driving the implementation of a comprehensive enterprise architecture that aligns with GDOT's strategic goals and enables efficient, effective, and innovative transportation solutions. Additionally, you will establish and oversee collaborative structures such as Communities of Practice, Centers of Excellence, and Architectural Review Boards to foster alignment and innovation. Your work will directly support GDOT's mission by leveraging technology to enhance safety, sustainability, and mobility across Georgia's transportation system.

*Key Responsibilities:*
1. Strategic Leadership
Develop and maintain a forward-thinking enterprise architecture strategy that supports GDOT's mission and objectives
Collaborate with executive leadership to align IT initiatives with business goals and transportation needs
Lead and mentor a team of Enterprise Architects specializing in Security, Data, Applications, and Infrastructure domains
Oversee and guide Solutions Architects across various sub-departments
Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing within the Enterprise Architecture team and across the IT division
Ensure that all architectural decisions and initiatives contribute to GDOT's strategic goals of safety, system preservation, project delivery, mobility, and employee development
Support and Shepherd the IT division in its role as a critical enabler of GDOT's mission, identifying opportunities to leverage technology for transformative impact
2. Team Leadership and Development
Build, manage, and develop a high-performing team of Enterprise Architects across various domains
Guide and manage the various Solution Architects throughout the organization
Establish clear roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations for team members
Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities to grow architectural capabilities
Foster collaboration between the Enterprise Architecture team and other IT and business units
Implement a holistic approach that addresses People, Process, Technology, and Culture dimensions of change
Partner closely with PMO to drive and support change management for both internal and external customers
Recommend and oversee organizational structures such as Communities of Practice, Centers of Excellence, Guilds, Change Control Boards, and Architectural Review Boards
Design and implement collaborative structures that create alignment and foster innovation across IT departments
3. Stakeholder Engagement
Gather requirements and insights from diverse stakeholders, including leadership, customers, and frontline staff
Facilitate collaborative decision-making processes to ensure all voices are heard and considered in architectural decisions
Build strong relationships with internal and external partners to drive technology adoption and success
Engage with transportation experts to understand how technology can best support GDOT's mission of innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility
Act as a bridge between IT and other GDOT divisions, ensuring technology solutions are aligned with operational needs

4. Collaborative Standards Development and Governance
Facilitate the co-creation of enterprise architecture standards and best practices through inclusive, cross-functional workshops and working groups
Foster a culture of shared ownership in architectural standards by involving stakeholders from various departments in the development process
Establish and chair Architectural Review Boards as needed to govern technology decisions and ensure alignment with enterprise standards
Design and implement effective Change Control processes that balance governance with agility
Lead and oversee Communities of Practice, Centers of Excellence, and Guilds to promote knowledge sharing and standardization
Guide the establishment of flexible governance processes that encourage adherence to standards while allowing for innovation and agility
Lead regular, collaborative reviews of standards to ensure they evolve with emerging technologies and changing business needs
Ensure that architectural standards align with and support GDOT's goals, particularly in streamlining processes and improving access for small businesses
Develop and implement strategies to communicate the value and benefits of standards across the organization, encouraging voluntary adoption
5. Research and Innovation Initiatives
Spearhead research initiatives to explore emerging technologies and their potential applications within GDOT
Organize and facilitate proof-of-concept (POC) projects to test innovative solutions in real-world scenarios
Lead hackathons and innovation challenges that bring together diverse teams to solve complex transportation problems
Establish partnerships with academic institutions, research centers, and industry leaders to stay at the forefront of technological advancements
Create and maintain an innovation lab or sandbox environment where teams can experiment with new technologies and approaches
Develop a framework for evaluating and scaling successful POCs and hackathon outcomes into enterprise-wide solutions
Foster a culture of continuous learning and experimentation across the IT division and broader GDOT organization
6. Solution Architecture Support
Mentor and guide Solutions Architects, ensuring they have the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed
Collaborate with Solutions Architects to align their work with the broader enterprise architecture vision
Facilitate knowledge transfer and cross-pollination of ideas between different architectural teams
Ensure that solution architectures contribute to GDOT's goals of project delivery and mobility enhancement
7. Technology Enablement
Develop and implement training programs to enhance the technical capabilities of GDOT IT staff
Identify emerging technologies and evaluate their potential impact on GDOT's operations
Lead proof-of-concept initiatives to test and validate new technologies before broader adoption
Focus on technologies that can enhance safety, sustainability, and mobility in Georgia's transportation system
Champion the role of IT as a strategic enabler, demonstrating how technology drives GDOT's mission forward
8. Communication and Change Management
Articulate complex architectural concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences
Develop and execute change management strategies to support the adoption of new architectural approaches
Create and maintain documentation to support the understanding and implementation of enterprise architecture principles
Communicate how architectural initiatives support GDOT's vision of increasing Georgia's competitiveness through transportation leadership
Promote the value of IT initiatives in enabling GDOT's mission across the organization
Partner closely with PMO to implement effective change management practices that address both technical and human aspects of transformation

*Qualifications:*
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field; Master's degree preferred (or equivalent experience as an Enterprise Architect or Chief Enterprise Architect)
10 years of experience in enterprise architecture, with a focus on government or transportation sectors a plus;
Proven experience leading teams of architects and technical professionals
Experience establishing and managing organizational structures such as Communities of Practice, Centers of Excellence, and Architectural Review Boards
Demonstrated background in addressing People, Process, Technology, and Culture dimensions of organizational change
Strong understanding of enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman)
Experience guiding and managing Solution Architects across different business domains
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels of the organization
Proven track record of leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives
Experience with cloud technologies, data analytics, and emerging technologies such as AI and IoT
Knowledge of transportation systems and smart city concepts is a plus
Demonstrated ability to align technology initiatives with organizational missions and goals
Experience in positioning IT as a strategic enabler in large organizations
Strong partnership capabilities, particularly in collaborating with PMO to support change initiatives.