Team Leader - Architecture

Wellmark, Inc.Des Moines, IA, US

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Job Description

Company Description

Why Wellmark : We are a mutual insurance company owned by our policy holders across Iowa and South Dakota, and we’ve built our reputation on over 80 years’ worth of trust. We are not motivated by profits. We are motivated by the well-being of our friends, family, and neighbors–our members. If you’re passionate about joining an organization working hard to put its members first, to provide best-in-class service, and one that is committed to sustainability and innovation, consider applying today!

Why Wellmark Technology? Wellmark is building innovative, modern solutions using cutting edge technology. We are driving organizational transformation and business strategy by empowering our technology team to innovate new and elegant solutions to enhance the customer experience. Together, we are leaning into the future, owning the outcome, and driving organizational change to transform how we work.

Job Description

Accountable for shaping and executing architecture strategies that drive business outcomes and long-term value. Leads a team of architects, fostering a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and cross-functional collaboration. Champions the alignment of technology architecture with business objectives, ensuring scalable, secure, and future-ready solutions that support enterprise growth and agility. Establishes and enforces architectural standards, frameworks, and best practices across the organization to promote consistency, quality, and compliance. Serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing expert guidance on emerging technologies, digital trends, and architectural innovations that can create a competitive advantage. Mentors and develops architectural talent, cultivating a team culture that values continuous learning, accountability, and excellence in delivery. Collaborates with product and technology leaders to translate strategic goals into actionable architecture roadmaps and solution designs.

Qualifications

Preferred :

Experience in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare, finance).
Certifications such as TOGAF, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, or similar.
Experience with global delivery models and vendor management.

Required :

Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, or related field, or direct and applicable work experience.

Minimum 10 years’ experience in an IT environment with minimum 7 years of architecture experience including advanced knowledge of development methodologies and designing solutions. Deep understanding of architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF), cloud platforms, and integration strategies.

Prior formal leadership skills typically gained by leading work teams, coaching, mentoring and facilitating work activities, along with strong relationship management skills developing collaborative and strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Strong collaboration skills with ability to build relationships across technology divisions.

Proven experience leading architecture teams, either informally or formally, and delivering enterprise-scale solutions. Ability to think strategically and effectively communicate strategy and direction to a team.

Stays informed on emerging technology trends and skillsets. Proven experience implementing change initiatives and supporting a culture of innovation and creativity. Encourages team to accept and resolve challenges.

Ability to think strategically to communicate, organize, and implement / accomplish long-range goals.

Effective consulting, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. Uses data effectively and demonstrates sound judgment and decision making to drive positive outcomes.

Demonstrated success influencing at all levels of the organization. Builds trust, alignment, commitment, and action from others.

Prior experience measuring and evaluating work processes to achieve organizational goals.

Proven ability to be adaptable to unexpected changes or situations. Adjusts effectively to work within work structures, business processes, work requirements and culture. Experience with architecture in a Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) environment, supporting Agile Release Trains and aligning designs with Lean-Agile principles.

Travel required up to 5%.

Additional Information

a. Lead with a focus on driving change and empowering people. Champion a culture of continuous improvement by actively coaching and mentoring team members to build skills, enhance performance and foster professional growth. Provide day-to-day leadership across financial and human resources functions, aligning staff development, budgeting, and departmental operations with strategic business objectives. Inspire teams to embrace transformation while delivering results that are accurate, timely, and aligned with the evolving needs of the HR function and its stakeholders.

b. Guide architectural decisions that make the right path the easy path. Provide forward-looking leadership to a team of Architects, ensuring IT architecture and standards are designed to enable flexibility, scalability, and long-term value. Oversee enterprise-wide architecture strategy—encompassing cloud and on-premises infrastructure, systems, and applications— through effective governance, including project reviews and standards adherence. Define and evolve technology architecture standards, guidelines, and reference architectures that not only support current needs but anticipate future demands. Present clear architectural options with associated pros, cons, and cost implications to empower informed, strategic decision-making.

c. Champion the transformation of architecture into a strategic, proactive force at Wellmark. Lead the evolution of architecture from a downstream support role to an upstream, value-driving partner embedded early in the epic lifecycle. Ensure architecture plays a central role in shaping technology direction, not just enabling it. Advocate for and secure architecture’s seat at the table—collaborating closely with business and technology leaders to influence strategy, guide investment decisions and design for future agility. Drive a mindset shift where architecture is seen as a key enabler of innovation, delivering long-term business impact through thoughtful, forward-thinking design.

d. Translate business strategies into architecture roadmaps and actionable plans. Oversee thedevelopment of architecture artifacts, including capability models, reference architectures, and technology standards. Ensure architectural consistency and alignment across business units and technology domains.

e. Oversee the development of strategies for migrating systems and data into the new architecture, through defined enterprise initiatives and the adherence to enterprise standards. Partner with senior business and IT leaders to align technology strategy with business objectives. Act as a trusted advisor to executives, providing insights on technology trends and architectural implications. Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to drive enterprise-wide initiatives. Use influence tactics to partner with and guide Wellmark leaders, at all levels, to move towards the ideal future state.

f. Maximize the value of data and information through modern, strategic approaches. Drive the implementation of modern API-first architectures, event-driven integrations, and scalable data management practices to enhance agility, reusability, and real-time decision-making. Stay current on emerging tools, technologies, and techniques—such as data mesh, cloud-native platforms, AI / ML-enablement, and self-service data access—and evaluate their potential to drive Wellmark’s digital evolution. Champion the design and implementation of data and integration strategies that unlock business value, ensure data integrity, and empower teams across the organization to make smarter, faster decisions.

g. Empower architects to lead technological innovation across the enterprise. Position the architecture function as a catalyst for identifying, shaping, and driving the adoption of emerging technologies that create meaningful business value. Lead enterprise-wide innovation initiatives and proof-of-concepts, with architects at the forefront—scouting trends, experimenting with new approaches, and turning insights into action. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and modernization, where architecture plays a proactive role in advancing Wellmark’s technology landscape and accelerating strategic outcomes.

h. Manage architectural resources across initiatives to ensure optimal delivery. Contribute to strategic planning, budgeting, and prioritization of technology investments. Monitor and report on architecture team performance and outcomes.

i. Other duties as assigned.

An Equal Opportunity Employer

The policy of Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation due to a disability at any stage of the employment application process should contact us at careers@wellmark.com

Please inform us if you meet the definition of a "Covered DoD official".

At this time, Wellmark is not considering applicants for this position that require any type of immigration sponsorship (additional work authorization or permanent work authorization) now or in the future to work in the United States. This includes, but IS NOT LIMITED TO : F1-OPT, F1-CPT, H-1B, TN, L-1, J-1, etc. For additional information around work authorization needs please refer to the following resources : Nonimmigrant Workers and Green Card for Employment-Based Immigrants

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Team Leader • Des Moines, IA, US