Lead IT Architect (Remote)

Responsibilities:

• Researches, compiles, and evaluates information used in the development and maintenance of very large and complex systems and processes to satisfy business needs. 
• Designs very large and complex systems and/or support processes that meet customer requirements while effectively interacting with existing systems/support processes.
• Constructs, modifies, and tests very large and complex system changes.
• Develops and tests processes used to convert data from system to system.
• Quickly diagnoses very complex problems; determines and implements quality solutions in a timely fashion. 
• Provides thorough and complete documentation for all programming changes and enhancements.  on: 
• Understands the business needs of the customer and provides quality customer support by providing appropriate communication, anticipating customer needs and/or problems, and understanding the broad impact of changes on all customer processes. 
• Provides appropriate solutions and proactively suggests process improvements.
• Manages individual tasks on projects to ensure that all tasks are delivered according to the project plan.
• Is considered 'a top expert' by peers in one or more important areas of expertise, such as, a programming language, computer system, data base, etc. 
• Provides an appropriate level of feedback to peers, support and interface areas, and management. 
• Leads and provide guidance to other team members.
• Write technical specifications for modification and new applications. 
• Review work/code of team members and provide feedback.

Experience/Qualifications:

• Typically, 15+ years of applicable work and/or technical experience in languages/environments considered important to the company.
• Life and Annuity Product Knowledge - Extensive product knowledge and functionality is preferred.  This would include an in-depth functional processing and understanding of Variable Life/Annuities, Fixed Life/Annuity, Flexible Life/Annuity.  
• Life and Annuity Systems Expertise – Extensive expertise maintaining and enhancing insurance administration systems with strong focus in policy administration and new business.   
• Familiarity with policy administration ancillary systems and interfaces, such as the generation of policy owner statements and transactional confirmations, accounting, valuation, and other sub-systems required for policy administration.
• Computer Languages – Extensive knowledge and expertise of object oriented programming languages and SQL is required.  Experience using legacy languages (COBOL) are also desirable.
• Mainframe knowledge and experience is preferred. 
• Conversion Expertise (Preferred) – 5+ years; Experience converting blocks of business from one administrative system to another is a strong preference.   
• Typically, post-secondary degree, preferably in Management Information Services, Computer Science or Math related field may substitute for up to 4 years of work and/or technical experience.
• Requires programming skills sufficient to solve difficult and very complex technical problems.  
• Must be able to manage multiple, changing priorities, resolve conflicts and be able to work well under pressure during the conversion process.
• Must be self-motivated, able to work independently and willing to self-teach and take responsibility for ongoing professional development.
• Ability to analyze and design software solutions to meet very complex requirements.
• Requires oral and written communication skills sufficient to communicate clearly with peers and customers.