Solution Architect

Overview

An Architect in the Professional Services, Accounting organization is responsible for implementing PowerPlan’s solutions to meet specific customer requirements. This position is expected to take on implementation projects of increasing challenge and complexity. Typically, the Architect will run the majority of design sessions, and in the case of the largest and most complex projects will defer to the guidance of a Solution Advisor. The Architect will be involved through a full project and is typically heaviest during design.

They may hold the Solution Architect or Functional Lead project roles and will have a strong background in Utilities/Financial ERP software implementations for external clients. We would also consider candidates with ERP Accounting software implementation experience.

Responsibilities

Key Performance Objectives

Project Leadership: Actively lead a project team (including clients, colleagues, other consultants, vendors, etc.) and complete tasks and activities in accordance with PowerPlan’s methodology, adhering to project schedules and budgetary constraints. Provide early notice of any potential risks or issues with respect to adherence to project schedules or budgets.

Consultative Skills: Contribute and share application and domain/industry expertise and functional knowledge, demonstrating advanced consultative skills. Assist the Project Manager in planning for future project phases, tasks, events, and resources.

Design and Configuration: Lead the majority of design sessions and enable the functional lead role to stretch as a lead in some instances. Gather and analyze client requirements to determine the design of the to-be delivered solution, ensuring it is based on the approved requirements and per the SOW. Work closely with the Technical team members as appropriate. Develop specifications documents for report, interfaces, conversions, extensions, forms, and configurations. Responsible for ensuring a solid hand-off of design to the project team.

Quality Assurance and Testing: Responsible for the quality assurance (QA) protocols for Professional Services solution design, development, and deployment. Define test plans and procedures, assist with the development of use and test cases, manage and, where appropriate, conduct unit, system, and integration testing from a quality assurance and support of project team perspective. Manage and support the client’s User Acceptance Testing (UAT).

Application Go-live and Cutover: Support application go-live and cutover, provide knowledge transfer to clients, and ensure the client staff are ready to operate the application upon go-live. Assist clients in transitioning the application to the client’s production support team. Plan and execute effective hand-off to PowerPlan’s Support organization. Identify client skill or knowledge gaps that might be addressed via PowerPlan’s training organization and/or an enhanced support model. Cutover planning and support.

Domain/Industry Expertise: Demonstrate and use application-wide domain/industry-specific expertise. Ensure other project team members are developing this expertise with guidance as well.

Business Development: Assist in and lead the business development cycle activities by providing domain/industry subject matter expertise to potential clients and sales personnel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 5-9 years’ experience implementing enterprise software applications in a client-facing consulting role; preferably in a software consulting or IT type organization

• Experience in most phases of the implementation process (minimum of 3)
• Experience with utilizing a robust implementation methodology
• History of increasing responsibility or upward progression

• Experience leading project teams or direct reports.
• Able to track multiple independent work items simultaneously.
• Ability to establish oneself as a trusted advisor to client, project team and PowerPlan, Inc. colleagues.
• High level of collaboration skills, especially with co-workers or subject matter experts not in the same location
• Excellent, effective communication skills, including:

• verbal, written, listening and presentation skills
• ability to engage and successfully interact with the client and project team at all levels
• creating and delivering presentations for industry conferences

• Ability to document technical and functional requirements by partnering with business stakeholders and project team members.

• Ability to separate the technology ask from the business need.
• Consulting and client/project team relationship-building skills.
• Strong functional background and demonstrated relevant industry expertise
• Highly motivated self-starter.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to adhere to a firm’s methodology.
• Willingness to master new processes and standards rapidly and evolve current approaches to accommodate requirements without delay or loss of quality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to translate complex technical requirements into common language.
• Experience with implementing key enterprise applications, including ERP, EAM and CRM
• Working knowledge of financial accounting processes (Planning, General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Assets, Project Accounting, Close, Budget, Tax, Physical Asset Management, Regulatory) for ERP implementations
• Interest in software and technology solutions. Examples include:
• Management information systems background.
• Prior coding classes or skills (C++, JAVA, Matlab, Python).
• Accounting or tax software acknowledgements.
• Ability to design, develop, maintain, and implement effective application software on multiple technical platforms using one or more families of languages: Java SE, JavaScript, SQL, web services (REST, XML, etc.).
• Understanding of system and network architecture, system platforms, system access, data models, database design, complex SQL queries, and network protocols.
• Experience with some of the advanced functions of Excel, including functions, macros, and pivot tables.
• Process orientation, and ability to analyze and design/build complex processes.
• Hands-on experience working on or with capital projects, capital budgets and fixed asset accounting, or business tax software.
• Industry experience within oil and gas, mining, transportation, natural resources, utilities, energy markets or telecom.
• Knowledge of test management software (e.g. qTest, HP ALM).
• 3 years SQL experience, or strong technical aptitude

PowerPlan is an EOE

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