Chief Enterprise Technology Architect

The Georgia Dept. of Transportation (GDOT) is seeking a visionary and collaborative Chief Enterprise Technology Architect to lead our architectural initiatives and drive innovation across the organization, further strengthening our position as a key enabler of GDOT's mission and goals.

Position Overview

As the Chief Enterprise Technology Architect at GDOT IT, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our technology landscape. You will lead the evolution and implementation of a comprehensive enterprise architecture that aligns with GDOT's strategic goals and enables efficient, effective, and innovative transportation solutions. Your work will directly support GDOT's mission by leveraging technology to enhance safety, sustainability, and mobility across Georgia's transportation system. This position will report directly to the Chief Information Officer.

Local candidates only as the selected candidate will be expected to be onsite via a hybrid schedule. While the intent may be a long-term tenure, this position is subject to annual budget restrictions. The initial contract is through the end of this fiscal year and is anticipated to be renewed July 1st.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

Develop and maintain a forward-thinking enterprise architecture strategy that supports GDOT's mission and objectives

Collaborate with executive leadership to align IT initiatives with business goals and transportation needs

Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and knowledge sharing within the IT division

Ensure that all architectural decisions and initiatives contribute to GDOT's strategic goals of safety, system preservation, project delivery, mobility, and employee development

Support and Shepherd the IT division in its role as a critical enabler of GDOT's mission, identifying opportunities to leverage technology for transformative impact

2. Stakeholder Engagement

Gather requirements and insights from diverse stakeholders, including leadership, customers, and frontline staff

Facilitate collaborative decision-making processes to ensure all voices are heard and considered in architectural decisions

Build strong relationships with internal and external partners to drive technology adoption and success

Engage with transportation experts to understand how technology can best support GDOT's mission of innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility

Act as a bridge between IT and other GDOT divisions, ensuring technology solutions are aligned with operational needs

3. Collaborative Standards Development and Implementation

Facilitate the co-creation of enterprise architecture standards and best practices through inclusive, cross-functional workshops and working groups

Foster a culture of shared ownership in architectural standards by involving stakeholders from various departments in the development process

Guide the establishment of flexible governance processes that encourage adherence to standards while allowing for innovation and agility

Lead regular, collaborative reviews of standards to ensure they evolve with emerging technologies and changing business needs

Ensure that architectural standards align with and support GDOT's goals, particularly in streamlining processes and improving access for small businesses

Develop and implement strategies to communicate the value and benefits of standards across the organization, encouraging voluntary adoption

4. Research and Innovation Initiatives

Spearhead research initiatives to explore emerging technologies and their potential applications within GDOT

Organize and facilitate proof-of-concept (POC) projects to test innovative solutions in real-world scenarios

Lead hackathons and innovation challenges that bring together diverse teams to solve complex transportation problems

Establish partnerships with academic institutions, research centers, and industry leaders to stay at the forefront of technological advancements

Create and maintain an innovation lab or sandbox environment where teams can experiment with new technologies and approaches

Develop a framework for evaluating and scaling successful POCs and hackathon outcomes into enterprise-wide solutions

Foster a culture of continuous learning and experimentation across the IT division and broader GDOT organization

5. Solution Architecture Support

Mentor and guide Solutions Architects, ensuring they have the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed

Collaborate with Solutions Architects to align their work with the broader enterprise architecture vision

Facilitate knowledge transfer and cross-pollination of ideas between different architectural teams

Ensure that solution architectures contribute to GDOT's goals of project delivery and mobility enhancement.

6. Technology Enablement

Develop and implement training programs to enhance the technical capabilities of GDOT IT staff

Identify emerging technologies and evaluate their potential impact on GDOT's operations

Lead proof-of-concept initiatives to test and validate new technologies before broader adoption

Focus on technologies that can enhance safety, sustainability, and mobility in Georgia's transportation system

Champion the role of IT as a strategic enabler, demonstrating how technology drives GDOT's mission forward

7. Communication and Change Management

Articulate complex architectural concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences

Develop and execute change management strategies to support the adoption of new architectural approaches

Create and maintain documentation to support the understanding and implementation of enterprise architecture principles

Communicate how architectural initiatives support GDOT's vision of increasing Georgia's competitiveness through transportation leadership

Promote the value of IT initiatives in enabling GDOT's mission across the organization

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field; Master's degree preferred

10+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, with a focus on government or transportation sectors

Strong understanding of enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman)

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate at all levels of the organization

Proven track record of leading large-scale digital transformation initiatives

Experience with cloud technologies, data analytics, and emerging technologies such as AI and IoT

Knowledge of transportation systems and smart city concepts is a plus

Demonstrated ability to align technology initiatives with organizational missions and goals

Experience in positioning IT as a strategic enabler in large organizations

About GDOT IT

The Georgia Department of Transportation's IT Division is at the forefront of digital transformation, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance transportation systems and improve the lives of Georgia's citizens. As the technology enabler of GDOT's mission, our IT division plays a crucial role in driving innovation, efficiency, and effectiveness across all aspects of the department's operations. From intelligent transportation systems to data-driven decision-making tools, we provide the technological foundation that empowers GDOT to deliver on its commitments to safety, mobility, and sustainability.

GDOT Mission and Vision

Our mission is to provide a transportation system that focuses on innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility. Our vision is to increase Georgia's competitiveness through transportation leadership. GDOT's mission translates into five strategic goals: safety, system preservation, project delivery, mobility, and employees.

What We Offer

Opportunity to make a significant impact on Georgia's transportation infrastructure and support GDOT's mission

Collaborative and innovative work environment

Continuous learning and professional development opportunities

Competitive salary and benefits package

Work-life balance and flexible working arrangements