Lead Application Architect

About the Role

We are looking for a Lead Application Architect to spearhead the application architecture efforts for a significant new enterprise transformation program. Reporting to the central design authority, you will be responsible for defining the target architecture, standards, integration models, and strategic roadmap of the enterprise's application portfolio. You will facilitate design reviews, resolve architecture conflicts across applications, and support delivery teams in developing secure, robust, and scalable solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the target architecture, principles, and standards for enterprise applications.
• Convert business needs into actionable application architectural designs and delivery strategies.
• Assess different application platforms and technologies to guide build-versus-buy decisions.
• Ensure application solutions align with broader enterprise architecture and program goals.
• Lead design reviews and provide resolution on cross-application architectural topics.
• Develop reference architectures, design policies, and governance frameworks.
• Review solution designs to ensure compliance with approved architectural standards.
• Identify architectural risks, dependencies, and gaps, managing their mitigation.
• Define integration approaches, APIs, and data flow designs across the application landscape.
• Set design requirements addressing availability, performance, scalability, security, and resilience.
• Collaborate with architects in data, integration, infrastructure, and cybersecurity for integrated solution delivery.
• Oversee architectural deliverables and timelines tied to the program.
• Mentor application architects and delivery teams through design and implementation phases.
• Provide technical leadership and address complex architecture challenges.
• Coordinate efforts across internal teams and external vendors.
• Clearly communicate architectural recommendations, decisions, risks, and progress to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant field.
• Minimum of 7 years in technology roles, with at least 3 years in an architecture capacity.
• Proven leadership in enterprise application architecture.
• Strong understanding of application integration patterns, APIs, and enterprise data flow concepts.
• Experience in defining target architectures, architectural standards, and transformation roadmaps.
• Well-versed in high availability, performance optimization, security, and resilience considerations.
• Ability to evaluate platforms and lead decisions between building and buying solutions.
• Hands-on experience with architecture governance and design authority processes.
• Strong analytical, stakeholder engagement, and project management abilities.
• Experience working collaboratively within multi-vendor environments.
• Fluent in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in TOGAF or use of similar enterprise architecture frameworks.
• Cloud architect certification for Azure or AWS.
• Certifications related to application platforms or integration technologies.
• Advanced academic degree in a relevant discipline.
• Proficiency in Arabic language.