Business Technology - Cloud Architect

Cloud Architect (Hybrid – Omaha, NE) YOU MUST BE LOCAL TO OMAHA! Business Technology – Enterprise Architecture | WoodmenLife Location: Omaha, NE (Hybrid Eligible) Reports To: Director, Enterprise & Cloud Architecture  Why You’ll Love This Role  WoodmenLife is seeking a Cloud Architect to lead the evolution of our enterprise Azure platform and help shape the technology foundation that powers our cloud-first and AI-enabled future. This is a highly visible, strategic role that combines enterprise architecture, cloud platform strategy, and organizational leadership to accelerate modernization across the enterprise.  As the organization's cloud architecture leader, you will define cloud strategy, establish enterprise standards, guide modernization efforts, and ensure our platform enables secure, scalable, resilient, and cost-effective technology solutions. You will also serve as Product Owner for the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE), helping drive cloud adoption, platform maturity, governance, and reusable capabilities that support business and technology outcomes.  This role offers the opportunity to influence enterprise-wide technology decisions, partner with senior technology leaders, and shape key initiatives spanning cloud adoption, AI enablement, data modernization, enterprise integration, and legacy platform transformation.  At WoodmenLife, you'll also enjoy a culture that values people as much as technology—with a collaborative environment, strong work-life balance (including Friday afternoons off year-round), and a focus on meaningful outcomes.   About the Team  This role is part of the Enterprise Architecture organization, which includes Enterprise Architects, Solution Architects, and Business Process Architects.  The team partners closely with:  Application Services  Technical Services / Infrastructure  Information Security  Data & AI organization  Product teams and Agile Release Trains  As the Cloud Architect, you will serve as a key leader within the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence, helping define cloud strategy while enabling engineering teams to successfully build on the platform.  Role Summary  The Cloud Architect is responsible for defining and evolving WoodmenLife’s enterprise cloud platform architecture and ensuring it aligns with enterprise technology strategy.  This role establishes cloud standards, governance models, and reference architectures while guiding enterprise cloud adoption and modernization initiatives. As Product Owner of the Cloud CoE, you will prioritize platform capabilities, influence investment decisions, and drive continuous improvement of the Azure environment.  What You’ll Do  Cloud Platform Architecture  Define and maintain enterprise cloud architecture aligned to business and technology strategy  Develop cloud standards, reference architectures, and design patterns  Ensure cloud platforms meet requirements for scalability, resiliency, security, and efficiency  Guide evolution of reusable platform capabilities and services  Maintain architecture artifacts within enterprise repositories  Cloud Strategy & Adoption  Support development and execution of enterprise cloud strategy  Identify opportunities to improve agility, scalability, and operational efficiency  Guide enterprise cloud adoption and workload migration initiatives  Evaluate emerging technologies, including AI and advanced cloud services  Advise teams on appropriate use of Azure capabilities  Cloud Enablement & Platform Leadership  Serve as Product Owner for the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE)  Define and prioritize the cloud platform backlog and roadmap  Partner with engineering teams to deliver platform improvements  Drive adoption of reusable services, automation, and platform capabilities  Enable consistent cloud practices across delivery teams  Cloud Governance & Architecture Oversight  Ensure cloud solutions align with enterprise architecture standards  Lead architecture reviews and provide strategic guidance  Define and enforce governance practices and guardrails  Identify and mitigate architectural risks related to cloud usage  Collaboration & Enterprise Alignment  Partner with Enterprise Architects on strategic alignment  Collaborate with Solution Architects on solution design and delivery  Work with Data, Infrastructure, and Business Process Architects to ensure full alignment across domains  Influence stakeholders across technology and business teams  Cloud Financial Management & Optimization (FinOps)  Promote responsible cloud consumption and cost transparency  Identify opportunities for optimization and efficiency  Guide teams on cost-effective architecture patterns  Support enterprise FinOps maturity and accountability  Community Leadership & Enablement  Lead the Azure Community of Practice  Mentor architects and engineering teams  Promote best practices, standards, and knowledge sharing  Support continuous learning and cloud capability development  What You’ll Work On  Expansion of the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence  Azure landing zones, governance, and platform modernization  Enterprise cloud adoption and migration initiatives  AI-enabled cloud platform capabilities  Dynamics 365 modernization and integration  Snowflake and enterprise data modernization  Legacy system transformation and decommissioning  FinOps maturity and cost optimization initiatives  What You Bring  Minimum Qualifications  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field  12+ years of progressive IT experience  7+ years of cloud or infrastructure architecture experience  Strong experience designing enterprise solutions in Microsoft Azure  Proven ability to define architecture standards, governance models, and design patterns  Experience leading cloud platform or Cloud Center of Excellence initiatives  Experience serving as a Product Owner or managing platform backlogs  Experience with enterprise modernization and cloud adoption  Strong stakeholder communication and executive presence  Experience working in Agile or SAFe environments  Experience in regulated industries (insurance, financial services, etc.) preferred  Preferred Qualifications  Master’s degree in a related field  Azure certifications (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect Expert)  Scope & Decision Authority  Acts as the enterprise authority on cloud architecture  Influences enterprise-wide technology strategy and cloud decisions  Guides modernization initiatives and cloud adoption efforts  Ensures alignment of solutions with enterprise cloud standards  Operates at a platform and strategy level, not application ownership  Leadership Insight from the Hiring Manager  “My leadership style is collaborative, transparent, and business-focused. I provide clear direction while empowering team members to take ownership. I emphasize strong partnerships, accountability, and aligning technology decisions with business outcomes.”  WoodmenLife offers a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive benefits package. More information about our benefits can be found at: https://www.woodmenlife.org/careers/home-office/benefits/  As part of WoodmenLife’s employment process, candidates will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check (where required for position), fingerprint check (where required for position), drug screen, and reference checks. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon successfully passing the above.  WoodmenLife is welcoming to all regardless of background and beliefs. We respect every associate’s unique perspective and contribution. We are committed to creating an environment that values differences and provides opportunities for growth, leadership, and service. This includes providing equal opportunity in recruitment, employment, promotion, training, and community outreach. WoodmenLife is also dedicated to strengthening the communities where our employees live and work.  APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES should advise the Human Resources Department at the time of application if special accommodations are needed.  Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (WoodmenLife) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.