Lead Technology Architect

LEAD ARCHITECT Location Hybrid work in Hamilton, ON L8S 4S4 : Regular/Temporary

Temporary Job Title LEAD ARCHITECT Job ID 69663 Location Central Campus Open Date 05/26/2025 Job Type Limited Term (12 months) Close Date 06/01/2025 Employee Group Unifor Unit 1, Staff Favorite Job Department SOCSCI Digital Society Lab Salary Grade/Band Grade 12 Salary Range $41.82 - $62.71 (hourly) Contract Duration 12.2 Months Hours per Week 35 Posting Details The Digital Society Lab is an interdisciplinary research and training centre at McMaster University that engages with the complex societal transformations that define the digital age. The Lab studies the dynamic relationship between society and digital technology and explores the potential of emerging technologies for scientific and social innovation. Working in close collaboration with the Digital Society Lab team and product stakeholders, the Lead Architect will contribute front-end and back-end development expertise, as well as serve as a consulting resource, to help create engaging and accesisble digital tools including apps and websites, based on best practices.

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement. Job Summary: The Lead Architect acts as a primary technical and consulting resource to University Technology Services and various University departments and units with respect to the information technology architecture, planning, and implementation of information technology systems. Supports the University's academic and administration departments by acting in a functional capacity in all phases of the Project Life Cycle for medium to large projects. Provides supervision to a team of Architects and Systems Integration Specialists. Develops information technology architecture standards and best practices for use across the University. Manage work assignments of internal staff and schedule and monitor adherence to procedures, protocols, and standards.

Act as an on-site project manager responsible for managing projects from inception to completion.

Plan and establish project framework and identify project milestones to ensure the project is completed according to project specifications and within specified timelines.

Design, develop, establish, and evaluate technical specifications for a variety of highly complex University systems.

Complete feasibility studies and cost benefit analyses and translate technical architecture into business value terms.

Provide ongoing technical direction to Architects and Systems Integration Specialists within the team and periodically to other technical staff assigned to relevant projects.

Accountable for the clarification, rationalization and documentation of project requests.

Approve production migrations according to project involvement.

Develop and lead information technology architecture training.

Develop and manage information technology architecture policies, procedures and best practices and communicate to all staff.

Participate in the development of capital project charters and cost justifications.

Responsible for integration and release management of information technology architecture solutions.

Facilitate large group information technology architecture development planning sessions.

Ensure appropriate information technology subject matter expert participation in information technology architecture projects.

Utilize the appropriate control tools to coordinate projects according to Project Management Office methodologies.

Develop success criteria and risk assessments for projects and changes.

Drive and challenge business units on their assumptions of how they will successfully execute their information technology architecture plans.

Collaborate with developers and subject matter experts to establish the technical vision and analyze tradeoffs between usability and performance needs.

Conduct gap analyses.

Ensure that projects meet specified functionality and technical requirements.

Perform advanced levels of analysis, problem solving and research skills to formulate information technology architecture solutions to complex business needs.

Work with project stakeholders to understand project scope and create test documents.

Manage all phases of technical functional testing including, but not limited to, system, integration, acceptance, regression, and performance.

Develop and maintain information technology process flow, methodology, and control documentation.

Assist with the development of project proposals and estimates.

Elicit requirements using interviews, document analysis, requirement workshops, surveys, site visits, business process descriptions, use cases, scenarios, business analysis, and task and workflow analysis.

Analyze information needs and functional requirements and deliver architecture artifacts such as technology roadmaps, technical architecture, design, system integration, test plans and test cases.

Take ownership of architectural issues by identifying underlying problems, analyzing potential solutions and implementing system resolutions, including workarounds.

Provide Level III post implementation support to users regarding technical issues.

Work with the development team to determine technical approaches and technical risks for project testing.

Develop requirement specifications according to standard templates, using natural language.

Identify and manage defects identified during all phases of a project.

Review test cases created by testing team members to ensure that the test cases adequately define the business processes.

Resolve architectural problems in the test, production implementation, and post-implementation phases in coordination with other technical and business groups.

Serve as the conduit between the Project Management Office and technical teams through which requirements flow.

Liaise between the application, technology and support teams.

Communicate project, issue, and system status to others.

Communicate testing results to other stakeholders.

Facilitate effective dialog between technical staff.

Prepare and review recommendations and other project initiation documents.

Prepare and review end user and operations documentation, training materials, and timelines.

Maintain information technology architecture process flow, methodology, and control documentation.

Lead the Information Technology Architecture Review Board.

Absorb technical information when it is presented systematically and apply it effectively.

Use measurement methods to monitor progress toward goal attainment, tenaciously working to meet or exceed those goals, while deriving satisfaction from the process of goal achievement and continuous improvement.

Ensure that the internal and external customer perspective is a driving force behind decisions and activities.

Follow service practices that meet customers' and University needs.

Apply and enforce department change control policies and procedures.

Acquire and maintain a basic understanding of Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing principles.

Read and understand a complex project plan and develop simple project plans.

Remain current with relevant development and project methodologies.

Remain current with security policies and procedures and work with System Administrators to implement security changes.

Remain current with the different levels of testing and develop simple use cases and test scripts.

Supervision : Requirements : Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Business, or a related field of study. Assets : The preferred candidate will have:

Significant front-end and back-end developer experience

How To Apply To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

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The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster's commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. School of Graduate Studies at ext. Hybrid Work Language To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews.