Business Architect

Job title: Business Architect

Reports to: Head of Portfolio Management  

Location: London

What are we looking for?

As part of Withers' continuous drive to innovate, we have recently launched a multi-year programme of work – the Way We Work programme - which will review and augment how the firm operates globally in order to optimise fee earner efficiency and ultimately deliver the best service to our clients.  This will be achieved through a combination of reorganisation, process improvement and the better use of technology, including the digitisation of assets and processes.

The Business Architect role is a new role for Withers, and will be responsible for developing and maintaining the current and target operating models of the firm (defined in terms of organisational structure, key processes, supporting IT systems and key data / information) and helping to define the journey from current to target state.  This role is being introduced at this time in order to support the new Way We Work programme, although it is expected that, once established, it will continue to contribute to the firm's operational and strategic plans going forwards.  

Leading Withers' team of Business Analysts, the Business Architect will work with senior (executive level) stakeholders across the firm, including the Way We Work Steering Committee and Business Services Directors and department Heads, to define the journey from the current to the target operating model, identifying, scoping and prioritising the constituent delivery projects based on collected and analysed data.

As this is a new role for Withers, the candidate must be a self-starter who is able to work proactively to establish and demonstrate the value of the role in line with industry best practise, including establishing the architecture standards and governance frameworks which will ensure that their role is successful.

A key part of the role will be working with stakeholders across the firm, and hence the individual must possess excellent stakeholder management skills, have the gravitas to instil confidence in senior (executive-level) business stakeholders, and be able to manage conflicting points of view in order to drive consensus-based decisions.

A very high level of personal organisation and professionalism is required in this role, together with a 'can-do' attitude and an ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure.  This person must inspire a positive work environment and help champion quality, innovation, teamwork and service to the business.

Areas of focus and responsibilities

• Establish the Business Architect role within Withers, pragmatically implementing an architecture framework and governance model which balances best practice against the rapid delivery of demonstrable value.
• Apply a structured business architecture approach and methodology for capturing the key views of the enterprise and current operating model, including business capabilities, processes and data.
• Building on a thorough understanding of the business' strategic direction, objectives and challenges, work with stakeholders to define a target operating model.
• Based on the collection and analysis of data, work with key stakeholders across the firm to identify and investigate opportunities to optimise operational capabilities and to identify organizational, process and technology improvements and cost savings which deliver against the firm's strategy and target operating model. 
• Oversee the definition, scoping and estimation of large or complex changes, engaging senior stakeholders in order to ensure engagement and sponsorship.
• Work in close collaboration with the relevant stakeholders to gain approval and prioritisation for identified initiatives, backed by business cases, and approved through the relevant steering body. 
• Advise business stakeholders about the implications of planned changes on the business, processes, staff and clients.
• Utilise business experience and skills to assess and advise on the practicability of alternatives, marrying up technical limitations with operational realities.
• Oversee the business elements of vendor and product selections to meet technical and business requirements.
• Be up to date on the major business and technology trends across the legal industry, and provide justified thought leadership as to where they could impact Withers' plans and operations.
• Manage, mentor and coach the team of Business Analysts to both support the business architecture responsibilities, and to deliver the detailed requirements analysis and support for projects delivery.

Personal qualities

• Able to work closely with senior (to executive level) business and technology stakeholders, demonstrating the gravitas and presence to inspire confidence and influence actions
• Strategic-level thinking, able to define and influence strategic decisions
• Enthusiastic and approachable: able to collaborate with and motivate people across different teams and with different backgrounds to fully engage and to work collaboratively to deliver solutions
• Engaging with diversity of thought, recognising and acting upon contributions and concerns from members of the firm from all backgrounds and disciplines
• Strong attention to detail in order to ensure that responsibilities are delivered to a high standard, and that decisions are based on sound justifications supported by data
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to define and resolve problems methodically and logically
• A proactive self-starter who will actively seek out innovative opportunities to deliver value, whilst ensuring alignment to the overall Withers strategy and priorities
• Adaptable to rapidly changing work conditions, as the firm, and the business and technology environments grow and evolve
• Strong commercial approach, ensuring that proposed initiatives deliver maximum value for money
• Flexible approach to working hours, in order to accommodate global interactions when required
• Demonstrates a continuous improvement ethos, both in terms of actively seeking opportunities to learn, and to apply those learnings both to the direct team and to the wider firm.

Skills and experience

• Graduate or equivalent
• Demonstrated success over 5+ years in the role of Business Architect in a law or similar professional services firm. It is expected that the post-holder will have relevant architecture qualifications
• Demonstrated success in having defined, scoped and facilitated the approval of strategic change projects and programmes as part of a wider transformation programme
• 3+ years' experience of managing and coaching a team of Business Analysts, defining and implementing a community of practice.
• Experience of having delivered a current and target operating models
• Extensive knowledge of current issues and trends in legal (desirable) or professional management firms.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to all levels of seniority
• Excellent influencer, able to gain support from diverse stakeholders in order to guide strategic and tactical direction
• Able to support the estimation and planning aspects of business cases and implementation plans
• Demonstrated experience of successfully negotiating demand and priorities with groups of stakeholders, navigating through conflicting interests to gain consensus
• Hands-on experience of project and programme delivery based on a formal methodology
• Experience of product and service selections, including vendor management and negotiation
• Working knowledge (desirable) of common legal IT systems (PMS, CRM, DMS, etc)

The Essentials 

• Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 6:00pm, but flexibility is a must and occasional after-hours work will be required
• 12 week probation period
• 12 week notice period
• Competitive benefits package including pension, private medical, season ticket loan, subsidised gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme and more.

About Withers Worldwide

Withersworldwide has been acting for successful individuals, businesses and institutions for 125 years. We advise clients on their business, personal and philanthropic needs both at home and abroad. In this fast moving and increasingly regulated world the need for integrated and timely advice has never been more urgent.

We are recognised as the leading international law firm for successful people. With offices in Europe, Asia, the United States and the Caribbean we provide coverage across the world that other law firms focussed on the individual cannot. We have represented 70% of the Top-100 ‘Sunday Times Rich List’, as well as a significant number of people listed in the US (Forbes) and Asian (Hurun) Rich Lists.

Information for Recruitment Agencies

We endeavour to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, we operate a preferred supplier list ('PSL') and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement

It is our policy to provide equal opportunities for all employees/prospective employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability.