Guide to Hiring a Head of Strategy & Architecture

Australia is at the forefront of several exciting digital initiatives driving enterprise advancement and economic growth despite current inflation and employment pressures. Key trends and projects making a significant impact:

Digital Identity Expansion

In 2024, Australia is set to expand its digital identity system, which will streamline identity verification processes for both individuals and businesses. This initiative aims to enhance security, privacy, and efficiency in digital transactions, making Australia a leader in digital identity management1.

Cloud-First IT Strategies

Australia is heavily investing in cloud-first IT strategies, with significant funding directed towards cloud infrastructure and technologies. This shift is crucial for businesses to remain agile and competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape. For instance, Google’s Digital Future Initiative, which includes a $1 billion investment, is set to create thousands of jobs and bolster the digital economy.

Artificial Intelligence and Automation

AI and automation are transforming various sectors, from healthcare to mining. Australia’s focus on AI-driven solutions is helping enterprises improve efficiency, reduce costs, and innovate faster. For example, the country is a global leader in mine automation, which enhances safety and productivity in the mining industry.

Digital Inclusion and Community Projects

Efforts to bridge the digital divide are also noteworthy. Initiatives like the First Australians Digitisation Fund aim to empower First Nations communities through technology, improving access to health, education, and employment opportunities. These projects not only foster digital inclusion but also drive social and economic growth.

Sustainable IT Practices

Sustainability is becoming a key focus in Australia’s digital transformation. Enterprises are adopting environmentally friendly IT practices to meet ESG goals. This includes designing, using, and disposing of IT resources in ways that minimise environmental impact.

These initiatives highlight Australia’s commitment to leveraging digital technologies for enterprise advancement, ensuring the country remains competitive on the global stage.

The role of Head of Strategy and Architecture is a prominent hire in any enterprise, top 5 things to consider when hiring this level of talent.

1. Defining the Role of a Head of Strategy and Architecture for your organisation?

The Head of Strategy and Architecture is a pivotal role within any organisation and is responsible for formulating and driving the IT strategy that aligns with the overall business objectives. This role involves creating and maintaining a clear architecture vision, leading the architecture function, and ensuring that technology solutions meet stakeholder requirements.

The Head of Strategy and Architecture may serve as an expert in Enterprise IT, Cyber, Security, Data, IT Operations, Cloud, Hosting, Software Development, and Service delivery, playing a vital role in executing major digital initiatives across the organisation.

2. What is the Salary of a Head of Strategy and Architecture?

The salary for a Head of Strategy and Architecture can vary based on experience, location, and the specific demands of the role. On average, the salary for this position in Australia ranges from AUD 230,000 to AUD 300,000 per year plus short and long-term incentives. For more detailed and up-to-date salary information, please visit techsalaries.com.au to get the latest data and insights.

3. What are the Key Skills of a Good Head of Strategy and Architecture?

A successful Head of Strategy and Architecture should possess a blend of technical and leadership skills, including:

• Strategic Planning and Execution: Ability to craft and implement comprehensive IT strategies that align with business goals.
• Enterprise Architecture Expertise: Deep understanding of architectural frameworks such as TOGAF and Zachman.
• Technical Proficiency: Expertise in cloud solutions, SaaS, software development, and IT service delivery, cyber and data.
• Leadership and Communication: Strong influencing, negotiation, and collaboration skills to work effectively with senior stakeholders and technology teams.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to analyse complex problems and develop innovative solutions.

4. What is the Hiring Process for a Head of Strategy and Architecture?

The hiring process for a Head of Strategy and Architecture can be typically more involved with the following stages:

1. Technical Assessment: Conduct technical interviews or assessments to evaluate the candidate’s expertise in Enterprise Architecture and IT strategy.  Determining a candidate's ability to design operating models, strategic roadmaps and blueprints for an enterprise to enhance all facets of business operation underpinned by technology solutions is key.
2. Behavioural Interviews: Assess the candidate’s leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills through behavioural interviews. Leadership skills and stakeholder influencing are not soft skills for this type of role, the ability to distil complex concepts simply is an art in itself. The ability to present to C and Board-level executives is essential to ensure strategy meets business needs and growth drivers.
3. Final Interviews: Conduct final interviews with senior management to ensure the candidate’s alignment with the company’s culture and strategic goals.
4. Reference Checks: Verify the candidate’s professional background and references to ensure their suitability for the role including DiSC profiling or leadership psychometric testing.

5. Finding the Right Fit

Finding the right Head of Strategy and Architecture can be challenging, but partnering with a specialised recruitment agency like Latitude IT can make the process smoother and more efficient. Latitude IT has extensive experience in IT recruitment and a deep understanding of the Australian talent market. Our team can help you identify and attract top talent for your organisation, ensuring a perfect fit for your strategic and architectural needs. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in finding the ideal candidate for this critical role.

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