Working as an Interim Head of Enterprise Architecture

While working as a consultant, I had an opportunity to serve as an Interim Head of Enterprise Architecture for one of the banks in the Middle East. The objective was to set up an Enterprise Architecture function at the company and demonstrate its benefits. It was a rare chance to build a capability from the ground up and I wanted to share some of my learnings in this blog. I hope this will help people looking for their next opportunity.

As the Head of Enterprise Architecture, I was responsible for leading the development and management of the enterprise architecture for an organisation. This involved working closely with senior leadership and other stakeholders to understand the business strategy and goals, and using that information to design and implement a technical roadmap that aligns with the organisation’s needs and objectives. This required the ability to build relationships and influence others to drive change.

The role requires a combination of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership skills. You will need to be able to manage competing priorities and navigate complex technical and business environments.

One of the key responsibilities of this role is to have a strong understanding of the latest technologies and their potential business applications. This requires staying up-to-date with industry trends and continuously evaluating new technologies to determine their potential value to the organisation. You will also need to be able to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical audiences, as the enterprise architecture will likely impact multiple departments and business units.

In addition to staying current on technology trends, you will also need to manage and mentor a team of enterprise architects. This includes providing guidance and direction, as well as helping to develop their skills and knowledge. Working closely with other departments, such as IT and Security, is also important to ensure that the enterprise architecture is properly implemented and aligned with the overall business strategy.

Overall, the experience of working as an Interim Head of Enterprise Architecture was very rewarding, as I had the opportunity to shape the technical direction of the organisation and play a key role in its success. However, it was also challenging, as I had to balance the needs of various stakeholders, navigate complex technical and business environments, and stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and industry trends.