W2 OR 1099 ONLY. NO 3RD PARTY FIRMS.

12+ month contract.

Client: Large government agency.

Overview:

Position will lead a dedicated team of enterprise architects to maintain and modernize the evolving transformation of the IT operations 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 the organization’s strategic goals and enables efficient, effective, and innovative transportation solutions. Establish and oversee collaborative structures to foster alignment and innovation. Directly support the organization’s mission by leveraging technology to enhance safety, sustainability, and mobility across a transportation system. Plans and schedules team resources, status reporting and completion of required documentation for team assignment and projects. Analyze and develop work or project plans for team assignments. Analyze and implement solutions. Supervise subordinates.

Role:

• Develop and maintain a forward-thinking enterprise architecture strategy that supports organization 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 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 the mission, identifying opportunities to leverage technology for transformative impact
• 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
• Design and implement collaborative structures that create alignment and foster innovation across IT departments
• 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 the organization’s mission of innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility
• Act as a bridge between IT and other divisions, ensuring technology solutions are aligned with operational needs
• 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
• 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 organization 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
• Spearhead research initiatives to explore emerging technologies and their potential applications within the organization.
• 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
• 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 goals of project delivery and mobility enhancement
• Develop and implement training programs to enhance the technical capabilities of staff
• Identify emerging technologies and evaluate their potential impact on 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 a transportation system
• Champion the role of IT as a strategic enabler, demonstrating how technology drives the mission forward
• 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

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field; Master's degree preferred (or equivalent experience as Enterprise Architect or Chief Enterprise Architect)
• 10 - 15+ years of experience in enterprise architecture.
• Experience with cloud technologies, data analytics, and emerging technologies such as AI and IoT
• Experience in government and/or transportation sectors is a plus.
• Knowledge of transportation systems and smart city concepts is a plus
• Proven experience leading teams of architects and technical professionals
• 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
• Strong partnership capabilities, particularly in collaborating with PMO to support change initiatives