Company Overview:
For more than 50 years, NISC has worked to develop technology solutions for our customers, who we call our "Members". Those Members are comprised primarily of 960+ utilities and broadbands across North America. Our mission is to deliver technology solutions and services that are Member-focused, quality driven and valued priced. Our Members have over 18 million end customers (residential and businesses who receive power, internet, television and/or telephone services) that our enterprise software solution enables our Member's employees to compete effectively in the industry, while excelling in providing customer service to their end customers.
NISC exists to serve our Members and help them serve their communities through our innovative software products, services and outstanding customer support.
Position Overview:
We are seeking an experienced visionary Lead Enterprise Architect - Solutions & Engineering Enablement (internally called: Lead Solutions Architect) to drive the development, execution, and education of enterprise-wide architectural strategy. This role combines technical expertise with people and team leadership. It requires strategic vision, a focus on employee development, and the ability to build scalable, efficient frameworks that support developers and align with business objectives. You will lead experienced architecture teams while driving innovation and simplifying complexity to shape the future of enterprise frameworks at NISC.
Essential Functions:
Architectural Leadership & Vision:
Define and maintain the enterprise architecture strategy in alignment with business objectives. Lead a high-performing architecture team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Empower architects to influence technical direction, mentor development teams, and drive thought leadership. Translate business needs into architectural requirements in collaboration with product managers, developers, and executive leaders. Serve as a key conduit between technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring shared understanding and alignment. Provide executive-level communication around architectural vision, strategy, and progress. Strategic People Leadership:
Servant leader with a proven ability to lead and empower highly experienced architects. Technical leader with a persuasive communication style, capable of translating complex solutions into strategic narratives. Comfortable saying "no" when appropriate, with a strong sense of long-term business impact. Passionate about driving change, simplifying the complex, and enabling others to succeed. Adept at mentorship, cross-functional collaboration, and decision-making transparency. Developer Enablement:
Lead and scale teams of enablement engineers dedicated to accelerating strategic goals through effective knowledge sharing, technical enablement, and hands-on guidance supporting hundreds of developers. Design and execute an enablement roadmap with defined KPIs to measure effectiveness and value. Establish feedback loops such as architecture office hours, reviews, and retrospectives to stay responsive to developer needs. Standards, Governance and Oversight:
Lead development of enterprise frameworks, coding standards, and reference architectures that promote consistency and scalability. Ensure architectural governance through established and evolving processes, in coordination with developers and their needs to cover compliance and enterprise gaps. Provide strategic oversight across business, application, and infrastructure domains through exercises like well architected reviews. Maintain accurate and accessible architectural documentation, including diagrams and decision records Strategic Impact:
Drive strategic clarity and alignment between technical capabilities and business goals. Own the strategy for simplifying our developer platform and toolchain, reducing cognitive load and accelerating time-to-productivity. Provide tangible ROI for architectural investments. Your work will directly impact onboarding velocity, code quality, and cycle time across teams. Guide technology selection and adoption of emerging trends, including AI integration and cybersecurity enhancements. Ensure risk is proactively identified and mitigated in architectural planning. Commitment to NISC's Shared Values and promotion of our cooperative spirit. Other duties as assigned
Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Typically requires 10+ years of related software development experience with 7+ years of leadership experience. Proven experience in enterprise or solutions architecture leadership roles. Deep knowledge of architectural frameworks, governance, and emerging technology trends. Strong people management and mentorship skills. Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and visual (e.g., diagrams, presentations). Demonstrated success in aligning technology strategy with business goals.
Work Schedule:
Hybrid from one of our office locations:
Cedar Rapids, IA Lake Saint Louis, MO Mandan, ND Hybrid Schedule: Minimum of working 3 day per week out of an office location and ability to work up to all 5 days a week from an office location.
Required Days from an Office Location: Tuesday and Wednesday - the third required day will be up to the candidate and their supervisor to choose. Virtual Office: Candidates working from a remote location within approved states will be considered for those who have applicable industry experience.
NISC's Shared Values & Competencies:
We're a cooperative, which means we're owned by the Members we serve. It also means that our focus is on taking care of our Members and our employees, rather than having a big bottom line. Quality service and innovative technology starts with happy and dedicated employees. Join our team and learn for yourself what sets NISC apart.
Integrity – We are committed to doing the right thing – always. Relationships – We are committed to building and preserving lasting relationships. Innovation – We promote the spirit of creativity and champion new ideas. Teamwork – We exemplify the cooperative spirit by working together. Empowerment – We believe individuals have the power to make a difference. Personal Development – We believe the free exchange of knowledge and information is absolutely necessary to the success of each individual and the organization.
Education Preferred:
Bachelor's or master's degree in a Computer Science, Computer Engineering or a related field and/or equivalent experience.
Minimum Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the essential functions of this position, employees must be able to see and communicate. Employees are regularly required to maintain a stationary position, move, and operate computer keyboards or office equipment.
Disclaimer:
Management may modify this job description by assigning or reassigning duties and responsibilities at any time.
