Manager, Platform Architect

Position summary:The Technology department is responsible for the Development, Realization and Implementation of the strategic Digital Product Roadmap for Rainforest Alliance (including all supporting Technology processes), for all Global Business Initiatives and Assurance programs. Information Office is one of the four teams under Technology Department.

It’s responsible for planning and leading implementation of leading technology ecosystem that will enable achievement of the 2030 strategy. Ensure alignment of technology investment and initiatives with the business goals, requirements and expectations and ensure optimal utilization of investments in technology and delivery of services by the technology vendors across the organization.

Operating within the Information Office, the 'Digital Strategy & Technology Architecture' team focuses on aligning digital strategy and technology architecture with organizational objectives, fostering innovation, and maximizing the efficiency of digital solutions. As the Manager, Platform Architect, you play a central leadership role within this team, supervising individuals dedicated to platform architecture. Your responsibilities encompass orchestrating seamless platform architecture strategies, leveraging advanced technologies, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to align platform solutions with the broader digital and technological vision. Your leadership contributes significantly to the team's success by providing expertise in upgrading technologies, overseeing API landscapes, and ensuring the integrity and efficiency of data flows across various systems.

In addition to your leadership responsibilities, your role involves strategic platform architecture, ensuring the team's technological expertise, overseeing the API landscape, supporting system development, fostering innovation, and continuous learning. You lead and develop a team of platform architects, guiding them to stay current with the latest advancements in upgrading technologies. Your strategic thinking aligns platform architecture with broader organizational goals, and you foster collaboration and effective communication across diverse teams.

Join us as a Manager, Platform Architect at Rainforest Alliance, where your leadership and expertise in platform architecture will be instrumental in driving the success of our Digital Strategy & Technology Architecture team.

Responsibilities: 

• Provide strong leadership to a team of platform architects, fostering a collaborative and innovative team culture.

• Guide and mentor team members to ensure alignment with organizational goals and individual professional development.

• Develop and implement comprehensive platform architecture strategies aligned with organizational objectives and the 2030

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of platform solutions, considering scalability, security, and efficiency.

• Demonstrate expert knowledge of upgrading technologies and guide the team in staying abreast of the latest advancements.

• Utilize proficiency in various programming languages to enhance platform capabilities and drive continuous improvement (Outsystems or MS Azure is a pre)

• Oversee and manage the API landscape, ensuring optimal performance and security for platform solutions.

• Work closely with database and system administration teams to support platform development initiatives

• Contribute to the resolution of platform-related issues and challenges, ensuring smooth development and deployment.

• Stay informed about emerging technologies and industry trends, applying this knowledge to enhance platform solutions.

• Actively participate in continuous learning and development initiatives for the team, fostering a culture of innovation.

• Provide insights and recommendations to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of platform solutions.

• Foster strong collaborative skills, promoting effective communication across diverse teams within the Digital Strategy & Technology Architecture team and beyond.

• Facilitate clear and concise communication to ensure all stakeholders are well-informed about platform architecture initiatives.

• Contribute to the development of effective problem-solving strategies and plans.

• Possess and demonstrate a sound knowledge of current technologies, especially in the context of platform architecture (Outsystems or MS Azure is pre)

• Act as a subject matter expert, providing guidance and insights on technological trends and their application to platform solutions.

 
Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering or related field (Master’s degree preferred);

• Proven experience in leadership and team management, with a track record of fostering collaboration and driving results (3+)

• Demonstrated expertise in platform architecture, with a focus on strategic planning and implementation aligned with organizational goals.

• In-depth knowledge of current technologies and programming languages relevant to platform architecture (Outsystems & Azure are pre).

• Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) or Professional Scrum Master (PSM) certification.

• SAFe Agilist (SA) or equivalent certification showcasing expertise in scaling Agile principles.

• Proven experience in overseeing and managing API landscapes, ensuring optimal performance and security.

• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development, staying informed about emerging technologies and industry trends.

• Ability to exhibit strategic thinking and align platform architecture with broader organizational goals.

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.

• Track record of fostering innovation within a team or organization, contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of digital solutions.

• 3+ years of experience in a role related to platform architecture, with a proven record of successful project delivery.

• Certifications related to cloud platforms (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect) demonstrating proficiency in cloud-based architecture

• Agile Certified Practitioner (ACP) or equivalent certification showcasing proficiency in Agile project management

• Understanding and ability to practice Lean principles for optimizing processes and driving continuous improvement.

• Deep understanding of the Enterprise Architecture design process;

• Fully fluent in English; Spanish is a plus.

• Strong experience with data architecture and application architecture

Job level: 3A

Deadline: This will be ongoing until the position is filled. 

Notes: Only candidates authorized to work in the Netherlands or the UK will be considered.

If you have any questions about the job vacancy, please contact the HR department: recruitment@ra.org

WHO WE ARE:

The Rainforest Alliance is creating a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities. To achieve our mission, we partner with diverse allies around the world to drive positive change across global supply chains and in many of our most critically important natural landscapes.

Our alliance spans 70 countries and includes farmers and forest communities, companies, governments, civil society, and millions of individuals. Together we work to protect forests and biodiversity, take action on climate, and promote the rights and improve the livelihoods of rural people.

As an international nonprofit organization with more than 30 years of experience in sustainability transformation, we understand that the social and economic well-being of rural communities is tightly connected to ecosystem health. This knowledge has shaped our rigorous programs to advance sustainable land-use and commodity production.

At the Rainforest Alliance we combat climate change, protect forests and biodiversity, promote human rights, and improve livelihoods. The enormity of the social and environmental challenges we are facing requires working together in a broad alliance. This is why we bring farmers, forest communities, companies, and consumers together to change the way the world produces, sources, and consumes.

Why
To protect nature and improve lives it’s becoming increasingly urgent that we approach the way we use our land and produce food and other products in more sustainable ways. For this to succeed we need to fundamentally change the way that businesses operate and source, and the choices we all make as consumers.

How
Our growing global alliance aims to transform our relationship with our natural resources and each other, to create a better future for people and nature together.

The Rainforest Alliance encourages diversity and inclusion across the global organization. With this commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ages, disability, and any other protected group.