Head of Architecture Practice

Last updated 31 minutes ago
Location:Auckland
Job Type:Full Time
Xero is a beautiful, easy-to-use platform that helps small businesses and their accounting and bookkeeping advisors grow and thrive.

At Xero, our purpose is to make life better for people in small business, their advisors, and communities around the world. This purpose sits at the centre of everything we do. We support our people to do the best work of their lives so that they can help small businesses succeed through better tools, information and connections. Because when they succeed they make a difference, and when millions of small businesses are making a difference, the world is a more beautiful place.

Due to ongoing growth, we have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Architecture Practice to come and join our Architecture group, part of the wider Technology portfolio, in either Wellington, Auckland or Melbourne!

At Xero, we take a product delivery-based approach to architecture. In other words, we look at how a hypothesis-driven, continuous improvement, automation and productisation approach will help us to scale our architectural practice!

In this role, you will develop, manage and lead a team that enables others in the Architecture community at Xero to operate in the best imaginable way.

You and your team will provide tools, practices, patterns and frameworks to enhance the delivery of architectural value to Xero, developing the standards and guidelines which clarify the expectations of our architects, and growing and enabling capabilities of the architects through generative education. Your team will also lead work on architectural challenges that cut across the products, platforms and domains of Xero.

What you'll do:

  • Develop, manage and lead a team that collectively deliver on supporting the growth and maturation of the architecture practice at Xero.
  • Organise and support the delivery of cross-cutting architectural outcomes, working in collaboration with other architects and leaders within the Architecture community.
  • Work with other architecture leaders to identify inefficiencies within our practices, and design and implement programmes of work to resolve these issues and identify the early signs of system or process underperformance.
  • Support a culture of continuous improvement and excellence in the implementation of architectural best practice, driving the consistent use of agreed standards and methods across the architecture community, leveraging industry knowledge and global best practice.
  • Proactively manage financial and other resource allocation and planning, in line with the cycles of the Xero business, integrating into other processes as required.
  • Cultivate strong relationships with business stakeholders, and create and execute compelling and effective communication strategies for informing on architectural processes and outcomes.
  • Collaborate with the Architecture & Integration leadership team to appropriately govern and continually improve our practice, standards, guidelines and policies.
  • Design, implement and improve reporting to provide visibility of progress towards the team and group objectives.

    • What you’ll bring with you:

  • A deep understanding of modern architectural and engineering practices
  • A proven track record in hiring, leading, coaching and maintaining high-performing, distributed teams of technical experts
  • An understanding of the agile life cycle and agile practices in use, and all aspects of modern software development, along with the information flow required including the metrics and data points used in feedback loops
  • Experience with architecture frameworks and methodologies - particularly those compatible with agile software delivery
  • Proven experience collaborating with a diverse stakeholder group to realise commercial outcomes
  • Solid track record of addressing customer and architectural needs through innovative use of technology
  • Proven ability to influence outcomes at all levels
  • Budget and financial management
    • Why you should become a Xero

    It’s a diverse and inclusive environment, with people who will respect, challenge, support and mentor you to do the best work of your life. We’re a place where innovation and change are not only encouraged but also celebrated. We value our people and want them to enjoy and take pride in their work.

    We’re very supportive of flexible working arrangements and offer a competitive remuneration package including shares and life insurance, in addition to your base salary. We have a culture we’re proud of. Whether you're after a workplace with a social vibe, or a workplace which understands your family is priority - Xero is all of that and more.

    Xero is an NZ Immigration Accredited Employer and Rainbow Tick certified too.

    Please include a cover letter in your application, telling us why you’re a great fit for this position.