Business Technology - Cloud Architect

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, 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.”

Do you have experience in Team leadership?, Do you have a Master’s degree?, 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)

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.