Architect Foundational Services

Let's paint a picture of the role

AkzoNobel is consistently rated as one of the top employers in The Netherlands.  You will join a company that is committed to achieving real sustainability. We offer great personal development opportunities and roles with breadth, depth of scope and impact. 

The Architect for Foundational Services plays a pivotal role within our global architecture team, ensuring the provision of technical direction essential for the successful integration and optimization of our IT solutions. By upholding our Architecture Process, Principles, Standards, and Vision, this role consistently supports our transformation into a digitally operating company, in line with our aspirations.
As our global Architect for Foundational Services, you have the gravitas to define, design, and evolve the overall architecture of our IT landscape. This encompasses determining the required technology stack and infrastructure, while ensuring alignment with AkzoNobel's overarching goals and strategies. A special focus will be given to our SAP estate, including SAP HANA, SAP technology, S/4, and SAP Basis, ensuring our cloud hosting and infrastructure team is fully prepared for our road to S/4 and the responsible upkeep and evolution of our systems. Your ultimate goal is to guarantee that the systems, solutions, and large-scale changes implemented in Delivery and Operations meet both business and IT requirements. In this role, you will be reporting into the Domain Architect Cloud, Hosting and Infrastructure.

Responsibilities

IT Strategy / Knowledge Development
As thought leader for the assigned subdomain, develops and maintains critical knowledge on how to constantly evolve the subdomain in line with the vision, strategy and architecture that is aligned to the overall Domain, IT strategy, applicable business areas and trends in the external environment. 
Resulting in, up to date Principles, IT strategy and roadmaps that match the corporate strategy and vision of AN for the assigned subdomain.

Analysis and Design
Develops high caliber Project Start Architectures that describe the Analysis and Design for landscape changes, aligned to Principles and IT strategy.
Resulting in, delivery of high-quality Project Start Architectures as instrument for critical decision making in the Architecture Board.

Technical Direction Setting
Defining and communicating technical direction for the assigned sub-domain and acts as visible thought leader to Business, Delivery, Operations and Architecture Board. 
Resulting in, Firm, clear and consistent technical rationale to technical changes of the assigned subdomain.

IT Operations Alignment
Ensure ramifications of technological decisions within the subdomain are timely aligned with IT operations and there is a holistic view on how solutions within the solution areas foster issue detection, prevention, and automated recovery. 
Resulting in, new Service Design is timely initiated and impact on Operations (cost, people, process) is assessed for architectural changes proposed.

IT Delivery Alignment
Architect ensures cooperation with IT Delivery is smooth and PSAs are sufficiently actionable to start project activities for delivery.
Resulting in, Delivery Teams are efficiently capable of building, maintaining, and using the PSAs developed by the subdomain to start the project and deliver expected value to AN as was outlined by BIM in the Business Case.

Security
Defines, proposes and implements necessary security techniques, key controls, and practices in compliance with security policy and regulations. Makes recommendations for security guidelines, baselines, standards, policy and strategy. Resulting in, continuous improvement of AkzoNobel’s security posture. Secure and compliant IT- systems and infrastructure.
 

What do you need to have to be successful in this role?

Technical Requirements:
•    Comprehensive understanding of the overall IT landscape and its integration points.
•    Experience in designing and implementing cloud-based solutions, including infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS).
•    Demonstrated expertise in SAP HANA, SAP technology, S/4, and SAP Basis.
•    Strong vision for the technical maturation of core IT processes, with a special emphasis on SAP solutions.
•    Ensure our cloud hosting and infrastructure team is fully prepared for our road to S/4.

Job Requirements:
•    Knowledge and Vision: Possess a deep understanding of foundational services architecture and the ability to envision its future state in alignment with business objectives, especially with regard to the SAP estate.
•    Technical Expertise: Demonstrate proficiency in the relevant technical areas related to foundational services, including but not limited to:
o     SAP HANA, SAP technology, S/4, and SAP Basis. 
o    Strong knowledge of networking concepts, protocols, and technologies, as well as experience in designing scalable and resilient network architectures.
•    Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Exhibit strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and address architectural challenges in both the overall IT landscape and the SAP domain.
•    Ambassador of Architecture Governance: Act as an advocate for architecture governance, ensuring adherence to established processes and standards across all foundational services.
•    Strategic Thinking and Adaptability: Apply strategic thinking to align foundational services architecture with the evolving needs of the organization while remaining adaptable to change.
•    Communication Skills: Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate with stakeholders, articulate concepts, and influence decision-making processes. Communicating complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
•    Business Acumen: Understand the business context and demonstrate the ability to align architectural decisions with organizational goals and objectives, ensuring that foundational services support the company's strategic direction.
 

What do we offer in return?

It’s a two-way street. This means that we offer not only a competitive salary but also believe in a healthy work-life balance.
•    Above average number of annual holidays: 30 days
•    Participation in the AkzoNobel pension plan
•    STI Bonus
•    Travel expenses to and from work
•    Opportunities for ongoing education and professional development
•    Hybrid way of working (60/40)
•    Being part of events and networking platforms
•    Paint with a discount

We aim to create a sense of belonging, where everyone can share their diverse backgrounds, participate in events, and connect through networking platforms.
 

More information about how to apply

We welcome your online application via https://careers.akzonobel.com/.

The recruitment process includes a selection of the best applications received through the system, interview rounds and further steps. An online assessment and an employment screening might be part of the selection process.

If you have questions about the role or interview process, please contact Berber Wegener at berber.wegener@akzonobel.com