Company:
Oliver Wyman
Description:
Title: Principal Architect
Location: New York, Boston, DC, Chicago and Toronto
Job Profile Description:
The Performance Transformation practice within OW is seeking an experienced Principal Architect to join our implementation and advisory team and lead the design, assessment, and delivery of complex technology solutions for clients. This role combines strategic technology leadership with hands-on architecture expertise across digital transformation, enterprise platforms, cloud ecosystems, data and AI solutions, and large-scale implementation programs.
As a trusted advisor to clients and delivery teams, you will lead technology due diligence efforts, define target-state architectures, evaluate and select enterprise platforms, design AI-enabled solutions, and provide architectural governance throughout the implementation lifecycle. Success in this role requires deep technical expertise, strong business acumen, exceptional stakeholder management skills, and the ability to translate strategic objectives into scalable, secure, and practical technology solutions.
Key responsibilities
- Lead technology strategy and architecture engagements, aligning technology investments and solution designs with client business objectives and transformation goals.
- Conduct technology due diligence assessments for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, strategic investments, and digital transformation initiatives, evaluating platforms, architectures, technical debt, operating models, security posture, and implementation risks.
- Define and own end-to-end solution architectures across business applications, data, integrations, cloud platforms, AI solutions, and enterprise technology ecosystems.
- Develop target-state architecture blueprints, technology roadmaps, reference architectures, and transition strategies to support client transformation programs.
- Lead platform evaluation and selection processes, including requirements definition, vendor assessments, proof-of-concepts, architecture reviews, and recommendation development.
- Design AI and advanced analytics architectures, including GenAI, machine learning, data platforms, model operations, governance frameworks, security controls, and responsible AI considerations.
- Provide architecture leadership during implementation programs, ensuring alignment between business requirements, technical design, and delivery execution.
- Partner with product managers, engineering teams, data specialists, and client stakeholders to translate business needs into scalable and maintainable technical solutions.
- Establish architecture governance processes, design standards, decision frameworks, and quality assurance mechanisms across engagements.
- Lead architecture reviews and technical design workshops with executive stakeholders, business leaders, engineering teams, and vendors.
- Evaluate integration approaches, APIs, middleware platforms, event-driven architectures, and interoperability requirements across enterprise ecosystems.
- Assess cloud strategies and architectures across AWS, Azure, GCP, and hybrid environments, ensuring scalability, resiliency, security, and cost efficiency.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate technical risks, dependencies, and architectural constraints throughout the program lifecycle.
- Contribute to solution development, estimation, proposal creation, and client pursuits by providing architecture leadership and technical expertise.
- Mentor architects, engineers, and consultants while contributing to architecture frameworks, reusable assets, accelerators, and intellectual property.
- Support enterprise architecture initiatives where applicable, including business capability mapping, application portfolio rationalization, technology standards, and governance frameworks.
Required qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline. Advanced degree preferred.
- 10–15+ years of experience in solution architecture, enterprise architecture, technology consulting, software engineering, or related technology leadership roles.
- Demonstrated experience designing and delivering complex enterprise technology solutions across multiple industries and technology domains.
- Strong experience leading technology due diligence, architecture assessments, and technology modernization initiatives or equivalent.
- Proven track record developing end-to-end solution architectures spanning applications, data, integrations, cloud infrastructure, security, and operational processes.
- Experience evaluating and selecting enterprise platforms and technologies, including vendor assessments and proof-of-concept initiatives.
- Hands-on experience with cloud architectures and services across AWS, Azure, and/or Google Cloud Platform.
- Experience designing AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, and GenAI-enabled solutions within enterprise environments.
- Strong understanding of software architecture patterns, distributed systems, APIs, integration architectures, and modern application development practices.
- Experience working directly with executive stakeholders to communicate technical concepts and influence strategic technology decisions.
- Demonstrated success leading architecture governance and supporting implementation delivery through deployment and stabilization.
Core skills and attributes
- Strong executive presence with the ability to engage effectively across business, technology, and leadership audiences.
- Exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate complex technology environments and identify practical solutions.
- Deep technical expertise combined with strong business acumen and commercial awareness.
- Ability to balance strategic vision with pragmatic implementation considerations.
- Strong verbal and written communication and storytelling capabilities, translating complex technical concepts into clear business implications.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across client organizations, delivery teams, and vendor partners.
- Strong understanding of architecture trade-offs across scalability, performance, security, maintainability, cost, and delivery timelines.
- Ability to lead ambiguity and navigate complex transformation environments with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
- Passion for emerging technologies, innovation, and continuous learning.
- Strong documentation discipline and ability to develop architecture artifacts suitable for both executive and technical audiences.
Preferred / nice-to-have
- Experience in Enterprise Architecture frameworks such as TOGAF, Zachman, or equivalent methodologies.
- Architecture certifications including AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Google Professional Cloud Architect, or similar.
- Experience with enterprise platforms such as Salesforce, SAP, ServiceNow, Workday, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or industry-specific platforms.
- Knowledge of AI governance, MLOps, responsible AI frameworks, and enterprise AI operating models.
- Experience with data architecture, data governance, master data management, and modern data platforms.
- Experience with DevSecOps, build and release management, and SDLC maturity models.
- Familiarity with cybersecurity architecture, identity and access management, and enterprise security frameworks.
- Experience in consulting or professional services environments supporting strategic technology transformation programs.
- Prior involvement in pre-sales activities, proposal development, solution estimation, and executive presentations.
- Demonstrated experience building reusable architecture assets, reference architectures, and delivery accelerators.
Typical deliverables and success measures
- Technology due diligence reports and strategic technology assessments that inform investment and transformation decisions.
- Target-state architecture blueprints, architecture roadmaps, and implementation transition plans.
- Successful platform selection recommendations supported by objective assessments and stakeholder alignment.
- Scalable, secure, and maintainable solution architectures that support business objectives and long-term growth.
- Successful implementation outcomes with strong alignment between architecture vision and delivery execution.
- Improved client technology maturity, operational efficiency, and business performance through modernized technology landscapes.
- High client satisfaction and trusted advisor relationships with senior technology and business stakeholders.
- Architecture governance frameworks, standards, and reusable assets that improve delivery consistency and quality.
- Documented architecture decisions, technical standards, and implementation guidance that support long-term sustainability.
WHO WE ARE
Oliver Wyman is a global leader in management consulting. With offices in 50+ cities across 30 countries, Oliver Wyman combines deep industry knowledge with specialized expertise in strategy, finance, operations, technology, risk management, and organizational transformation. Our 4000+ professionals help clients optimize their business, improve their IT, operations and risk profile, and accelerate t