Edtech.com's Summary

University of Alberta is hiring a Solution Architect. The role is the main technology design contact for the university’s central Information Services & Technology group, turning business needs into secure, scalable architecture for projects and programs that support the university’s strategic directions. The architect advises project sponsors and senior faculty and administrative stakeholders, and reviews proposals as part of the university’s technology governance process.

Highlights

Translate complex business needs into secure, scalable, and maintainable architectural blueprints that align with the university’s Enterprise Architecture Principles.
Assess the IT portfolio to eliminate critical deficiencies, reduce complexity and technical debt, and apply emerging technology trends.
Prioritize commercial off-the-shelf solutions under an “Adopt, Adapt, Develop” approach and define design patterns for a secure, agile, and optimized technology ecosystem.
Consult with key sponsors and senior IST and faculty, college, and central unit stakeholders to understand initiative goals and advise on delivering technology solutions for mission-critical programs and projects.
Guide the university community and IST leadership through IT governance by evaluating project proposals, prioritizing initiatives, and steering the solution development lifecycle.
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business, or a related area, plus at least five years across IT disciplines mentoring project teams and providing technical leadership through the solution development and delivery life cycle.
Hands-on experience with modeling languages (ArchiMate and UML preferred), practical project delivery under project management principles, and an understanding of product management and agile development, including architectural debt.
Ability to translate future-state business capabilities into solution architecture requirements and explain new ideas to technical and nontechnical audiences while influencing stakeholders’ decisions.
Salary of $83,913 to $140,055 annually for a full-time, on-site role at North Campus in Edmonton, with an initial 24-month appointment.

Solution Architect Full Description

Job Info

Job Identification: 4545

Job Category: Information Technology

Posting Date: 10/26/2026, 04:09 PM

Job Schedule: Full time

Locations: Edmonton, AB, Canada (On-site)

Grade: 4

Category Type: Academic

Position Type: Temporary Librarian Admin and Professional Officers (TLAPO)

College/Administrative Portfolio: VP USOF

Faculty/Department: Information Services & Technology

Annual Salary Range: $83,913 to $140,055

About the Job

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal applicants will be given priority consideration based on minimum qualifications, or a combination of experience, skills, and abilities before external applicants are considered.

This position has an initial appointment of 24 months.

Location - This role is in person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

The Solution Architect acts as the primary contact for the design and decision aspects of assigned information technology concerns that support the University’s strategic directions, initiatives, and service developments that manifest in the form of projects or programs. The Solution Architect cultivates and maintains strong working relationships with senior IST and faculty/college/central unit stakeholders. The position consults with key sponsors to understand the goals and objectives for a specific initiative, project, or program, and using their expertise, provide advice on the effective delivery of technology solutions. This includes supporting the planning, execution, and delivery of mission critical programs/projects that meet the needs and objectives of the institution. The role also participates in the IT governance process through the review and assessment of proposals submitted through the technology governance process as needed.

Responsibilities

Architect Strategic Solutions: Translate complex business needs into secure, scalable, and maintainable architectural blueprints that strictly align with the university's Enterprise Architecture Principles (EAPs).
Drive Modernization & Mitigate Technical Debt: Continuously assess the IT portfolio to eliminate critical deficiencies, reduce complexity, and leverage emerging technology trends to build a sustainable runway for the future.
Enforce Fiscal Discipline & Best Practices: Champion "Adopt, Adapt, Develop" methodologies by prioritizing commercial off-the-shelf solutions and defining design patterns that ensure a secure, agile, and highly optimized technology ecosystem.
Support Technology Governance: Actively guide the university community and IST leadership through IT governance processes, comprehensively evaluating project proposals, prioritizing initiatives, and steering the full solution development lifecycle.

Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in an area of Information Technology, Business, or an area of related study.
A minimum of five years of expertise across IT disciplines, demonstrating the ability to mentor project teams and provide technical leadership throughout the solution development and delivery life cycle.
Good understanding of strategic and emerging technology trends, and the practical application of existing and emerging technologies to new and evolving business and operating models.
Good understanding of product management, agile principles and development methodologies and capable of supporting agile teams by providing advice and guidance on opportunities, impact and risks, taking account of technical and architectural debt.
Practical experience in delivering projects under project management principles.
Hands-on experience with different modeling languages (ArchiMate and UML preferred).
Proficient in translating future-state business capabilities and requirements into solution architecture requirements.
Proven analytical, planning, organizational, technical, strategic, and relationship building skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Organizationally savvy, with the ability to navigate organizational politics with tact and ease.
Skilled at influencing, guiding and facilitating stakeholders and peers with decision making.
Ability to articulate new ideas and concepts to technical and nontechnical audiences alike.
Skilled at understanding the long-term ("big picture") and short-term perspectives of organizational decision making and problem solving.

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, and an annual salary range of $83,913 to $140,055.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by Schedule G of the collective agreement between the University and the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta.

About the Team

Information Services & Technology (IST) is the central support group for the university's technological landscape. IST plays a pivotal role in ensuring the evolution and smooth operation of technology for teaching, learning, research and working at the University of Alberta. Beyond having expansive technical expertise, IST fosters a supportive environment where our staff values include compassion, connection, collaboration, creativity and courage. If you are passionate about leveraging technology to empower education, research and to drive institutional excellence, join us and be part of shaping the future of the University of Alberta through innovative IT solutions.

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