Job opening for an architect, but not that kind of architect

From Ernst & Young:

Job Summary 

The Global Enterprise Program Architect is an architecture resource that translates business vision and strategy into an effective enterprise program by creating, communicating and refining architecture insights (requirements, principles, models) that define program/portfolio architectures into enterprise implementation. The goals of the Program Architect are to implement architecture efficiency and consistency into the enterprise via the large transformational programs. They are responsible for delivering architecture views aligned to the business needs at the program level.
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Essential Functions

• Be an active participant in a team of senior and highly experienced global enterprise architects

• Work with the EA leadership team to develop the vision for the area of specialization and effectively and consistently communicate this to key stakeholders

• Gathers feedback that helps EA improve and evolve the quality and type of EA services provided

• Create and maintain artifacts describing program architecture and implementation strategy

• Provide clear vision for architecture requirements that show models of future state, with roadmaps that steer the implementation of program initiatives

• Accountability for delivery of architectural description (AD) for program elements (AD of strategy, AD of information, AD of systems, AD of processes, etc), from Conceptual to Logical Architectures, based on relevant Contextual / Business Architectures

• Accountability to ensure that architecturally relevant (long term) program decisions are made, documented, signed off, and then adhered to through effective governance

• Responsible for supporting the Program Manager with scoping the program, defining the required architectural skills / roles, estimating the architectural resource levels / profiles required, and the management and quality of program architecture deliverables, including third party and non-EA deliverables as appropriate

• Ensuring that the final solution is maintainable and supportable within the target operating model

• Implementing Program (and supporting relevant non-Program) governance bodies

• Accountable for implementation of enterprise-level roadmaps (multi-year) at the program level

• Support portfolio strategic planning responsibilities

• Collaborate with architects across the enterprise to identify strategic opportunities and in the rationalization of cross segment dependencies

• Influence segment specific roadmaps and program strategies in alignment with enterprise initiatives

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In case you were wondering, despite the fact that architects (the kind who design buildings) establish space programs for enterprise implementation, often based on supporting the client's target operating models, and seeks to assist clients with transformational projects and programs, this is not in fact an architecture job, nor is it related to the building industry in any way. Not yet, at least.

Frankly, this description points out how far architects' roles have gotten from other areas of expertise and management thinking. While on the one hand, it is exactly this job description that has led the enterprise architect to adopt the term "architect," the enterprise or program architect has far surpassed architects themselves in the mind of management and consulting firms as a resource or profession that relates to profitability.

Architects can and should fill most of the roles listed above to coordinate a business owner's strategy for their physical and spatial presence. To do so, architects must engage with an owner's business goals directly, and not be looked upon as a required expense or necessary evil.

If they do not, then they will further marginalize the architectural profession and can expect to be managed by enterprise architects or strategic design thinkers in the very near future.