Cloud Architect
Business Technology – Enterprise Architecture | WoodmenLife
Location: Remote
Reports To: Director, Enterprise & Cloud Architecture
PLEASE NOTE: WoodmenLife will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
To be considered for this position, applicants must submit a resume that includes their full name, current residential address, email address, and phone number. Resumes that do not contain all required contact information will not be considered.
Why You’ll Love This Role
WoodmenLife is seeking a Cloud Architect to lead the evolution of our enterprise Azure platform and help shape the technology foundation that powers our cloud-first and AI-enabled future. This is a highly visible, strategic role that combines enterprise architecture, cloud platform strategy, and organizational leadership to accelerate modernization across the enterprise.
As the organization's cloud architecture leader, you will define cloud strategy, establish enterprise standards, guide modernization efforts, and ensure our platform enables secure, scalable, resilient, and cost-effective technology solutions. You will also serve as Product Owner for the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE), helping drive cloud adoption, platform maturity, governance, and reusable capabilities that support business and technology outcomes.
This role offers the opportunity to influence enterprise-wide technology decisions, partner with senior technology leaders, and shape key initiatives spanning cloud adoption, AI enablement, data modernization, enterprise integration, and legacy platform transformation.
At WoodmenLife, you'll also enjoy a culture that values people as much as technology—with a collaborative environment, strong work-life balance (including Friday afternoons off year-round), and a focus on meaningful outcomes.
About the Team
This role is part of the Enterprise Architecture organization, which includes Enterprise Architects, Solution Architects, and Business Process Architects.
The team partners closely with:
Application Services
Technical Services / Infrastructure
Information Security
Data & AI organization
Product teams and Agile Release Trains
As the Cloud Architect, you will serve as a key leader within the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence, helping define cloud strategy while enabling engineering teams to successfully build on the platform.
Role Summary
The Cloud Architect is responsible for defining and evolving WoodmenLife’s enterprise cloud platform architecture and ensuring it aligns with enterprise technology strategy.
This role establishes cloud standards, governance models, and reference architectures while guiding enterprise cloud adoption and modernization initiatives. As Product Owner of the Cloud CoE, you will prioritize platform capabilities, influence investment decisions, and drive continuous improvement of the Azure environment.
What You’ll Do
Cloud Platform Architecture
Define and maintain enterprise cloud architecture aligned to business and technology strategy
Develop cloud standards, reference architectures, and design patterns
Ensure cloud platforms meet requirements for scalability, resiliency, security, and efficiency
Guide evolution of reusable platform capabilities and services
Maintain architecture artifacts within enterprise repositories
Cloud Strategy & Adoption
Support development and execution of enterprise cloud strategy
Identify opportunities to improve agility, scalability, and operational efficiency
Guide enterprise cloud adoption and workload migration initiatives
Evaluate emerging technologies, including AI and advanced cloud services
Advise teams on appropriate use of Azure capabilities
Cloud Enablement & Platform Leadership
Serve as Product Owner for the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE)
Define and prioritize the cloud platform backlog and roadmap
Partner with engineering teams to deliver platform improvements
Drive adoption of reusable services, automation, and platform capabilities
Enable consistent cloud practices across delivery teams
Cloud Governance & Architecture Oversight
Ensure cloud solutions align with enterprise architecture standards
Lead architecture reviews and provide strategic guidance
Define and enforce governance practices and guardrails
Identify and mitigate architectural risks related to cloud usage
Collaboration & Enterprise Alignment
Partner with Enterprise Architects on strategic alignment
Collaborate with Solution Architects on solution design and delivery
Work with Data, Infrastructure, and Business Process Architects to ensure full alignment across domains
Influence stakeholders across technology and business teams
Cloud Financial Management & Optimization (FinOps)
Promote responsible cloud consumption and cost transparency
Identify opportunities for optimization and efficiency
Guide teams on cost-effective architecture patterns
Support enterprise FinOps maturity and accountability
Community Leadership & Enablement
Lead the Azure Community of Practice
Mentor architects and engineering teams
Promote best practices, standards, and knowledge sharing
Support continuous learning and cloud capability development
What You’ll Work On
Expansion of the Nimbus Cloud Center of Excellence
Azure landing zones, governance, and platform modernization
Enterprise cloud adoption and migration initiatives
AI-enabled cloud platform capabilities
Dynamics 365 modernization and integration
Snowflake and enterprise data modernization
Legacy system transformation and decommissioning
FinOps maturity and cost optimization initiatives
What You Bring
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field
12+ years of progressive IT experience
7+ years of cloud or infrastructure architecture experience
Strong experience designing enterprise solutions in Microsoft Azure
Proven ability to define architecture standards, governance models, and design patterns
Experience leading cloud platform or Cloud Center of Excellence initiatives
Experience serving as a Product Owner or managing platform backlogs
Experience with enterprise modernization and cloud adoption
Strong stakeholder communication and executive presence
Experience working in Agile or SAFe environments
Experience in regulated industries (insurance, financial services, etc.) preferred
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in a related field
Azure certifications (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect Expert)
Scope & Decision Authority
Acts as the enterprise authority on cloud architecture
Influences enterprise-wide technology strategy and cloud decisions
Guides modernization initiatives and cloud adoption efforts
Ensures alignment of solutions with enterprise cloud standards
Operates at a platform and strategy level, not application ownership
Leadership Insight from the Hiring Manager
“My leadership style is collaborative, transparent, and business-focused. I provide clear direction while empowering team members to take ownership. I emphasize strong partnerships, accountability, and aligning technology decisions with business outcomes.”
WoodmenLife offers a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive benefits package. More information about our benefits can be found at:
https://www.woodmenlife.org/careers/home-office/benefits/
As part of WoodmenLife’s employment process, candidates will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check (where required for position), fingerprint check (where required for position), drug screen, and reference checks. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon successfully passing the above.
WoodmenLife is welcoming to all regardless of background and beliefs. We respect every associate’s unique perspective and contribution. We are committed to creating an environment that values differences and provides opportunities for growth, leadership, and service. This includes providing equal opportunity in recruitment, employment, promotion, training, and community outreach. WoodmenLife is also dedicated to strengthening the communities where our employees live and work.
APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES should advise the Human Resources Department at the time of application if special accommodations are needed.
Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (WoodmenLife) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field
- 12 or more years of progressive IT experience
- 7 or more years of cloud or infrastructure architecture experience
- Strong experience designing enterprise solutions in Microsoft Azure
- Experience defining architecture standards, governance models, and design patterns
- Experience leading cloud platform or Cloud Center of Excellence initiatives
- Experience serving as a Product Owner or managing platform backlogs
- Experience with enterprise modernization and cloud adoption
- Strong stakeholder communication and executive presence
- Experience working in Agile or SAFe environments
- Experience in regulated industries such as insurance or financial services
- Master's degree in a related field
- Azure certification, such as Azure Solutions Architect Expert
What We Do
We’ve been helping to protect the financial future of families like yours, making a difference in hometowns across America, and honoring our country since 1890. As a not-for-profit life insurance company, we put money back into the community. We’re here when you need us most. When you become part of the WoodmenLife family, you’re joining other people who share your commitment to family, community, and country. Through WoodmenLife, you have opportunities to connect with others, give back locally, and honor those who make an impact. You have an open invitation to: -Support your community through local volunteer activities -Enjoy family outings sponsored by WoodmenLife -Join in our fight against hunger -Fundraise for causes that matter to you An individual becomes a member by joining our shared commitment to family, community and country, and by purchasing a WoodmenLife product. Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society Home Office: Omaha, NE 1-800-225-3108 www.WoodmenLife.org Not all Representatives are licensed to sell all products. Not all products are available in all states. Representatives are independent contractors and are not employees of WoodmenLife. Any opinions, ratings or reviews posted by third parties are their own and may not be representative of the experience of others or indicative of future performance or success. The views and opinions expressed in 3rd party articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of WoodmenLife. Securities are offered through Woodmen Financial Services, Inc., 1700 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68102, 1-877-664-3332, member FINRA/SIPC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (collectively "WoodmenLife"). Securities other than the WoodmenLife Variable Annuity are issued by companies that are not affiliated with Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society.
