Domain Architect IT Infrastructure

Are you an experienced IT architect? Would you like to contribute to the future of education and research by bridging the gap between applications and technology? Would you like to strengthen the internal IT architecture and application landscape? Do you enjoy working within a dynamic organization, collaborating with others, and building relationships? Then we have the perfect challenge for you!

Where you will work

SURF is the ICT cooperative for Dutch educational and research institutions. Together with them, we work on digital services and complex innovation challenges to enhance the quality of education and research.

The team you will join

The Operations team is part of the Internal IT department. This department supports SURF with system, network, and data center services. In addition, we provide office automation and cyber security services in close collaboration with the Information Management team. We continuously manage a range of projects. You translate needs and new initiatives into clearly specified projects. You then work these out with a team of colleagues (and often third parties). Together, you come up with great and often innovative ICT solutions.

Working at SURF means working for a unique and open organization. This is evident in everything: the structure of the organization, the setup of the project teams, the culture in our offices, and the pleasant, informal, and collegial atmosphere. SURF offers excellent terms of employment and is flexible when it comes to work/life balance. Employees enjoy working independently. In addition, everyone is given the space and freedom to use and develop their talents as effectively and broadly as possible.

What you will do

You ensure that our ICT infrastructure and application landscape meet current needs and are ready for the future. You will develop a reference architecture that provides direction for ICT initiatives within SURF. You will also ensure that this architecture is aligned with the strategic objectives of SURF and the Dutch education and research community. You will do this together with other architects within SURF and with colleagues such as (technical) product managers, project leaders, the security office, and experts. In addition, you will work closely with colleagues from research and educational institutions.

Other tasks you will handle:

• You create an overview of, insight into, and coherence within SURF's ICT infrastructure as a basis for risk and impact analyses. And you keep this (partly) up to date.
• You coordinate with stakeholders on existing and new services. And you advise enterprise architects, management, domain architects, and team members on ICT infrastructures.
• You create (architectural) designs for the IT infrastructure landscape, with the aim of further developing it within the framework of SURF and the needs of educational and research institutions. You also ensure that the frameworks (principles) within which the ICT infrastructure develops are up to date.
• You will focus on a manageable, secure ICT infrastructure that guarantees the efficient hosting of the application landscape.
• You will draw up roadmaps (with other stakeholders) to ensure the controlled development of the ICT infrastructure. In addition, you will supervise the projects and changes that shape this further development of the IT infrastructure.
• You are the link between the enterprise architect, application architects, technical product managers, suppliers, developers, and research and educational institutions.
• You implement and develop architecture principles from SURF and the research and education sectors.

Long term

• You contribute ideas about the strategy and long-term vision for projects and programs.
• You actively seek coherence in SURF's service portfolio: you involve the relevant stakeholders both within and outside SURF.

Your skills and experience

• You have broad insight into and extensive experience with designing (architecture) and implementing (supervising) complex, large-scale ICT infrastructures. You are also well informed about technological developments in this field. You can translate these possibilities into opportunities for SURF.
• You have technical and strategic insight, which you combine with a pragmatic attitude. In addition, you are a good communicator and a good listener. You also get people on board and thus ensure that solutions are supported.
• You enjoy working with others and easily connect different areas of expertise, education sectors, parts of SURF, and developments at educational institutions. You have a university level of thinking, with at least 5 years of relevant work experience.
• You have a thorough understanding and knowledge of architectural issues and ICT strategies, developments, and their significance for universities, colleges, vocational schools, and research institutions.
• You have knowledge of and experience with privacy-by-design and security-by-design.
• You express yourself effortlessly in both Dutch and English (SURF has a bilingual policy).
• It is an advantage if you have knowledge, experience, or a network at educational institutions and national reference architectures, such as the Education Reference Architectures (HORA & MORA) or the Education Sector Architectures (HOSA & MOSA).
• It is an advantage if you have experience with Archimate.

Prior to starting this job, a VOG must be presented.

SURF takes pleasure in doing its recruitment itself; acquisition is therefore not appreciated.