Cloud Architect

COMPANY OVERVIEW

The Prairie Payments Joint Venture (PPJV) is a joint venture owned by three Prairie centrals created to digitally transform and modernize payment services for credit unions in the Prairies. PPJV's goal is to ensure prairie credit unions are competitive in payments and have access to efficient, modernized payments processing infrastructure.

ROLE SUMMARY

Prairie Payments Joint Venture (PPJV) requires an experienced Cloud Architect this role will be responsible for designing and implementing secure, scalable, and cost-effective cloud solutions that align with business objectives. The Cloud Architect will have a key role in shaping the organization cloud strategy, optimizing cloud environments, and ensuring seamless integration with existing IT infrastructure. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, this role will drive innovation, enhance system performance, and establish best practices for cloud security, automation, and governance. The Cloud Architect has expertise in cloud platforms such as Azure, or AWS and will be critical in delivering high-quality cloud solutions that support business growth and digital transformation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees the design and management of an organization's cloud systems, applications, policies, and strategy. Manages the development of scalable architecture to support applications and infrastructure on IaaS and PaaS platforms
• Develop and maintain entre-wide information architecture, ensuring alignment with business goals and IT frameworks
• Select appropriate cloud services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and optimize their use
• Collaborate with IT teams to migrate applications and data to the cloud
• Ensure security and compliance with industry standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 27001, ISO 20022)
• Monitor cloud performance, troubleshoot issues, and optimize costs
• Automate cloud infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools like Terraform, CloudFormation, or ARM templates
• Responsible for designing architecture for an organization on an enterprise level
• Defines system architecture and provides vision, problem anticipation, and problem-solving ability to organization
• Participates in creating strategies and policies to meet overall business goals
• Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure
• Evaluate and recommend new cloud technologies to improve efficiency
• Leads the evaluation process to select, implement, and maintain the best cloud solutions for the organization. Guides requirements gathering activities with stakeholders and vendors
• Ensures that robust security management and privacy requirements are incorporated into cloud hardware, software, and applications
• Establishes audit standards, controls, and processes to monitor and optimize cloud infrastructure. Maintains up-to-date, extensive, and deep knowledge of cloud products, technology, and best practices. Typically requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent
• May require attainment of a certification like Certified Cloud Architect that is specific to a vendor or platform
• Mentors subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets
• Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Bachelor's degree in business, computer science, IT, or a related field
• 7-10 years of experience in cloud computing and architecture
• Expertise in at least one major cloud provider: AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud
• Experience with cloud security, networking, and identity management
• Proficiency in scripting and automation (Python, PowerShell, Bash, etc.)
• Hands-on experience with various networks, firewalls and infrastructure
• Familiarity with DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and monitoring tools
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Cloud certifications (AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect) are a plus
• Experience with hybrid and multi-cloud environments
• Understand and experience supporting MS ecosystem and server operating systems
• Knowledge of serverless computing (AWS Lambda, Azure Functions)
• Strong understanding of databases and data storage solutions in the cloud
• Familiarity with IT governance and risk management in cloud environments
• Experience mentoring and training more junior architects

THE ENVIRONMENT

PPJV is a fast paced and focused environment where employees and contractors share the mission to deliver efficient, cost effective, modernized payments processing to prairie credit unions. Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume & cover letter by noon on March 7, 2025. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.