Director, Enterprise Architecture

The Director of Enterprise Architecture at Tiffany & Co. is responsible for leading the transformation and modernization of our Information Systems, driving strategic alignment between IT and business goals, and managing a team of enterprise architects and integration specialists. You'll oversee application integration strategies, simplify IT landscapes, and effectively communicate complex IT concepts to C-level executives, ensuring a clear representation of business value.

To apply for the Director of Enterprise Architecture role at Tiffany & Co., candidates should have proven experience in enterprise architecture roles, a strong background in IT enterprise architecture, change management, and the capability to modernize information systems. A bachelor’s degree in information systems or technology is necessary, while an MBA is a valuable asset. Candidates must also possess strong leadership skills and excellent communication capabilities.

The Director of Enterprise Architecture at Tiffany & Co. plays a crucial role in aligning IT initiatives with business objectives by establishing clear, actionable strategies and frameworks. This includes simplifying our IT landscape, fostering innovation, and effectively translating technical concepts into language that resonates with all stakeholders, ensuring both IT and business are North Star aligned for success.

Preferred experience for the Director of Enterprise Architecture position at Tiffany & Co. includes a robust understanding of technologies relevant to the luxury retail industry, global project management skills, and a proven track record of transforming IT culture in large organizations. Experience with digital platform implementations and various enterprise resource planning systems, including JDEdwards or SAP, is also advantageous.

Under the Director of Enterprise Architecture at Tiffany & Co., the team structure includes two Enterprise Architects, an Integration Manager, and an integration team comprised of both internal and external members, allowing for a collaborative and diverse approach to tackling complex integration and architectural challenges across various markets.

When responding to this question, it's vital to highlight your experience with frameworks like TOGAF or ARCHIMATE, particularly focusing on how these frameworks have been applied in effective project implementations within the luxury retail context. Provide specific examples of projects where you've used these frameworks to facilitate change.

In your answer, emphasize your strategic planning skills and your methodology for ensuring that IT projects directly support business objectives. Discuss techniques you’ve used for fostering collaboration between departments, such as bi-weekly reviews with business stakeholders to provide updates and gather input.

Use your answer to focus on techniques such as creating simplified reports, using visual aids, or running workshops that educate non-technical stakeholders on key technical concepts. Sharing past experiences where such strategies have successfully improved communication can further enhance your response.

When asked this question, share a specific example showcasing your leadership role in a modernization project. Outline the goals, the challenges, the steps you took, and the measurable results, emphasizing your decision-making process and stakeholder management throughout.

In your response, highlight your leadership style and the specific motivational strategies you use, such as setting clear goals, recognizing achievements, and encouraging collaboration. Talk about instances where these strategies led to improved team morale and project outcomes.

Detail your experience with integration strategies and architectures, mentioning any relevant technologies, tools, and methodologies you've successfully employed in past projects. Discuss how you evaluate integration patterns and ensure seamless data flow across applications.

Here, it's effective to mention your experience managing budgets for IT projects, including planning, tracking expenses, and making adjustments as needed. Provide examples that illustrate your ability to get value from allocated resources and manage financial constraints.

Discuss your commitment to continuing education, such as attending relevant conferences, participating in professional networks, and subscribing to industry publications. Highlight how you've applied recent trends in your work to drive innovations in your previous roles.

When answering this question, narrate a specific scenario where you encountered resistance, detailing the strategies you employed to address concerns, build consensus, and ultimately implement the necessary changes successfully.

Communication is key here. Emphasize your approach of actively listening to their concerns, presenting data-driven insights to support your position, and being open to compromise. Share an example where effective communication led to a successful resolution.