ZEN116 - Business Architect

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Business Architect with a strong banking background to drive enterprise-level business architecture initiatives. The ideal candidate will have transitioned from Solution Architecture into Business Architecture and will possess deep expertise in translating strategic objectives into actionable business capability models and blueprints. The successful candidate will operate within a complex banking environment, ensuring alignment between strategy, architecture, governance, and delivery teams. This role requires strong engagement with senior stakeholders, architecture forums, and cross-functional DevOps teams to ensure sustainable, reusable, and value-driven solutions.

Responsibilities

• Translate strategic and tactical business objectives into structured business capability maps and architectural blueprints
• Develop and maintain "Target State" business architecture models, defining future-state capabilities versus current-state gaps
• Lead or contribute to Business Architecture Review Forums to ensure architectural consistency and platform reuse
• Ensure new initiatives align with enterprise architecture standards and do not duplicate existing capabilities
• Produce high-quality Business Requirement Specifications (BRS) and Functional Specifications to guide DevOps and UI/UX teams
• Support solution design by bridging business requirements and technical architecture
• Drive cost optimisation initiatives by identifying redundant systems and architectural inefficiencies
• Evaluate and articulate ROI and value impact of architectural decisions
• Collaborate across Agile and traditional delivery environments

Competencies

• Strong strategic thinking and enterprise-wide perspective
• Excellent stakeholder engagement at senior and executive levels
• Strong analytical and modelling capability
• High level of governance awareness and architectural discipline
• Ability to operate effectively within large-scale banking environments
• Strong communication and facilitation skills

Technical Skills

• Minimum 10+ years’ experience in IT/Enterprise Architecture
• Proven experience transitioning from Solution Architecture to Business Architecture is mandatory
• Extensive experience within the banking industry is mandatory
• Mastery of TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) is mandatory
• Strong working knowledge of BIAN (Banking Industry Architecture Network) is mandatory
• Proficiency in ArchiMate and UML modelling is mandatory
• Experience using modelling and visualisation tools such as Signavio or Visual Paradigm is mandatory
• Deep understanding of architecture within Agile (SAFe) environments and traditional waterfall methodologies is mandatory
• Working knowledge of JIRA and Confluence is mandatory
• Strong understanding of banking ecosystems including Asset Finance and Credit Risk models is mandatory
• Knowledge of South African regulatory frameworks such as POPIA and FICA is mandatory
• Experience in enterprise cost optimisation initiatives is advantageous
• Exposure to large-scale digital transformation programmes is advantageous

General Information

• Contract: Subcontract - 12 Months Renewable
• Location: Johannesburg
• Hybrid – 3 days per week from office