Architect - Enterprise Information

We always knew there had to be a better way to buy used cars. One that would make the process easy and fun. So we created CarMax, and we've been changing the way America buys cars since we opened our first store in Richmond, Virginia in 1993.

The Architect is responsible for the overarching design of software application systems to ensure that they interoperate appropriately, are tied into the enterprise architectural requirements, and have a consistent technical direction. The Architect is responsible for developing strategic initiatives and setting the direction for the IT enterprise. The Architect is responsible for the review of the development, implementation, maintenance, and support of designs and oversight of applications within their team. This involves the uniformity of application implementations under their influence, proper performance of those applications, and the future vision of the team's development within the enterprise direction. This position will be responsible for ensuring that software developed meets CarMax®: architectural and quality expectations and requires a broad knowledge about all applicable business processes. The Architect has a broad understanding of multiple technologies and the business to develop overarching system designs. This position works with the business and IT leadership to understand multi-year roadmaps in order to identify architectural initiatives which have the broadest impact. The Architect works with the CarMax®: Architecture team to develop standards and design patterns. This position will work with various IT teams to champion the adoption of patterns, platforms, and architectural tools. This Architect is a mentor and provides positive and developmental feedback and capitalizes on teachable moments to grow others. This position is responsible for the technical training and development of associates.

* Gathers requirements from business partners, I.T. department and identifies the platform and architecture of the system * Sets strategy and direction and provides proposals for solutions to meet business requirements * Design sweeping applications that impact multiple application environments within their team * Recognizes areas of improvement in the development lifecycle and recommend action plans * Creates, reviews, and develops software throughout the team's environment and effectively communicating the rationale behind the designs * Designs modifications to existing software, designs reusable components, and elimination of redundancy in designs throughout their team's environment * Responsible for multiple large projects in leading the definition, selection, and implementation of enterprise tools, technologies, and processes * Drives architectural consensus with the team while maintaining awareness with other teams * Develops and delivers technical training and business understanding for developers * Drives efficient resolution for system outages as well as performance and functional shortcomings * Engages in a critical support situation and effectively, efficiently, and quickly drive to a successful resolution * Investigates new technologies and techniques and researching ongoing industry developments through a partnership with the Architecture team * Evaluates the ROI of systems development and enhancements to the IT Enterprise environment and effectively weighs the financial alternatives involved with various technical solutions and proposals * Partners with IT Enterprise Architects to assist IT Leadership with the forecasting of technology implementation budgets * Assists in the budget process to identify the Total Cost of Ownership * Define vision, strategy and principles for data management * Develops data and metadata policies and procedures and leads the governance practice to ensure adoption * Define standards for naming, describing, governing, managing, modeling, cleansing, enriching, transforming, moving, storing, searching and delivering all data within the enterprise * Provides leadership between data consumer representatives and data solution development and integration teams * Must understand how data is, or will be, used and implication on people, processes, products and technology * Strong interpersonal skills to resolve problems in a professional manner, lead working groups, negotiate and create consensus * Monitors industry trends and directions; develops and presents substantive technical recommendations to senior management. * Provides extensive technical, strategic advice and guidance of the highest level to senior managers and technical resources in the creation and implementation of new data standards and databases. * Reviews and assesses technical proposals requesting changes or upgrades to the existing databases.

* Broad understanding of multiple technologies and the business to develop overarching systems. * Broad understanding of the business processes implemented across the team's applications * Broad understanding of all aspects of the team's technical software requirements including security, scalability, and usability * Able to develop long term technology plans * Able to build consensus and acceptance of improvements and changes to CarMax development patterns, standards, and processes * Able to influence the technical direction of others in order to drive all projects to successful completion within the architectural standards and guidance * Able to courageously drive strategic initiatives and challenge upward and across the IT enterprise when necessary * Proven ability to effectively communicate architectural standards and best practices * Ability to drive through obstacles and time constraints to successfully deliver a project to completion * Demonstrated ability to compare and contrast alternative approaches to meet objectives while assessing risk both quantitatively and qualitatively * Able to effectively estimate time required for technical efforts for projects of all sizes * Demonstrated communication skills to include but not limited to verbal and written communication, delivering organized presentations, able to tailor message to the audience, and facilitate group discussions with diplomacy and seek diverse opinions * Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and problem solving skills and performs well in high pressure or stressful situations * Demonstrated ability in statistical analysis, advanced calculations, and reporting * Demonstrated ability to effectively estimate effort, durations and enterprise impact required for large technical solutions * Ability to evaluate long term impacts when making recommendations and decisions. * 4 year degree in IT related course of study, preferred * 10+ years of development experience, required * 10+ years of database development experience, required * Sybase Transact-SQL and Data models, preferred * Microsoft SQL Server scripting and Data models, preferred * Tibco ESB/BW, preferred * ETL Processing (Scripting/Industry Std. Tool), preferred