What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business Technology - Cloud Architect position at WoodmenLife?
Location: Omaha, NE (Tower) | Work Arrangement: Hybrid
Reports To: Director of Enterprise & Cloud Architecture
Role Overview
The Cloud Architect leads the design, enablement, and governance of Microsoft Azure and hybrid cloud solutions supporting WoodmenLife’s modernization strategy. Responsibilities include defining cloud architecture standards, guiding secure and scalable solution design, optimizing costs through FinOps, maturing automation capabilities (IaC), and partnering with product teams to deliver cloud-native capabilities. This role also provides leadership for the Cloud CoE, oversees Azure landing zone governance, and serves as a strategic advisor to technical and business stakeholders.
Why a Candidate Would Want to Be a Cloud Architect at WoodmenLife
WoodmenLife offers an exceptional opportunity for a Cloud Architect to have true ownership and influence over an enterprise cloud platform while working in a stable, mission-driven organization. In this role, you will shape and lead the evolution of WoodmenLife’s Azure environment, drive major modernization initiatives, and serve as the Product Owner for the cloud platform backlog within the Cloud Center of Excellence. You will work directly with business and technology leaders, set cloud governance and automation standards, and play a key role in defining the company’s future technology direction. This is a highly visible, strategic leadership position where your expertise will make an immediate and lasting impact.
The Cloud Architect will join WoodmenLife’s Enterprise Architecture (EA) organization, which includes Enterprise Architects, Solution Architects, and Business Process Architects. The team consists of 10 architecture professionals and reports under the Director of Enterprise & Cloud Architecture. This role is a strategic leader within EA, driving cloud governance, enabling delivery teams, and ensuring solutions align with enterprise roadmaps and business strategies. Collaboration spans across Business Technology, including Application Services, Technical Services, Security, Data Office, and Product teams.
Key Responsibilities
WoodmenLife offers a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive benefits package (https://www.woodmenlife.org/careers/home-office/benefits/). As part of WoodmenLife’s employment process, candidates will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check (where required for position), Fingerprint check (where required for position), drug screen and reference checks. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon successfully passing the above.
WoodmenLife is committed to excellence in diversity by creating an inclusive work environment that values and respects all individuals. We welcome and embrace associates, regardless of background and beliefs. WoodmenLife respects every associate’s unique perspective and contribution. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that values differences, and creates opportunities for growth, leadership and service. This commitment includes providing equal opportunity in recruitment, employment and promotion, training and community outreach. WoodmenLife is also dedicated to strengthening the communities in which its employees live.
APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES SHOULD ADVISE THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION IF SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE NEEDED.
Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (WoodmenLife) is an equal opportunity employer.
Reports To: Director of Enterprise & Cloud Architecture
Role Overview
The Cloud Architect leads the design, enablement, and governance of Microsoft Azure and hybrid cloud solutions supporting WoodmenLife’s modernization strategy. Responsibilities include defining cloud architecture standards, guiding secure and scalable solution design, optimizing costs through FinOps, maturing automation capabilities (IaC), and partnering with product teams to deliver cloud-native capabilities. This role also provides leadership for the Cloud CoE, oversees Azure landing zone governance, and serves as a strategic advisor to technical and business stakeholders.
Why a Candidate Would Want to Be a Cloud Architect at WoodmenLife
WoodmenLife offers an exceptional opportunity for a Cloud Architect to have true ownership and influence over an enterprise cloud platform while working in a stable, mission-driven organization. In this role, you will shape and lead the evolution of WoodmenLife’s Azure environment, drive major modernization initiatives, and serve as the Product Owner for the cloud platform backlog within the Cloud Center of Excellence. You will work directly with business and technology leaders, set cloud governance and automation standards, and play a key role in defining the company’s future technology direction. This is a highly visible, strategic leadership position where your expertise will make an immediate and lasting impact.
- Enterprise-wide ownership of WoodmenLife’s Azure cloud platform, including landing zone governance, hybrid connectivity (ExpressRoute), automation, security guardrails, and the long-term cloud roadmap.
- High visibility and strategic influence across major modernization initiatives such as Dynamics 365 CRM, Elmer integration modernization, Snowflake analytics, and mainframe decommissioning.
- Opportunity to build and lead the Cloud Center of Excellence, serving as Product Owner for the cloud platform backlog and driving engineering maturity, FinOps, IaC/Bicep automation, and the Azure Community of Practice.
The Cloud Architect will join WoodmenLife’s Enterprise Architecture (EA) organization, which includes Enterprise Architects, Solution Architects, and Business Process Architects. The team consists of 10 architecture professionals and reports under the Director of Enterprise & Cloud Architecture. This role is a strategic leader within EA, driving cloud governance, enabling delivery teams, and ensuring solutions align with enterprise roadmaps and business strategies. Collaboration spans across Business Technology, including Application Services, Technical Services, Security, Data Office, and Product teams.
Key Responsibilities
- Partner with technology leaders and business stakeholders to develop, refine, and drive WoodmenLife’s cloud strategy in alignment with enterprise roadmaps and modernization priorities.
- Serve as the Product Owner for the Cloud Center of Excellence (CoE) team by managing the cloud platform backlog and guiding work toward business and technical outcomes.
- Collaborate with Solution Architects and delivery teams to design secure, scalable, and cost-efficient Azure solutions to support analytics, integration modernization, and legacy platform transitions.
- Lead cloud governance and FinOps activities, including cost analysis, optimization recommendations, policy enforcement, and partnering with stakeholders on consumption reporting and accountability.
- Advance cloud automation and engineering maturity by creating reusable architecture patterns, and mentoring teams through the Azure Community of Practice.
- Enterprise Architecture
- Solution Architecture
- Cloud CoE
- Application Services
- Technical Services
- Information Security
- Data Office
- Product Owners / ARTs
- Business leadership across the enterprise
- Microsoft Azure Cloud Platform
- Azure DevOps (pipelines, repos)
- Bicep for IaC
- GitHub / GitHub Actions
- Azure Monitor, Sentinel, Defender for Cloud
- Azure API Management, Service Bus, Event Grid
- Azure networking (Virtual WAN, VPN Gateway, ExpressRoute)
- PowerShell
- LeanIX
- Snowflake
- M365 / D365
- Dynamics 365 CRM modernization and Azure-native integrations
- Expansion of enterprise integration layer
- Cloud governance and automation through Cloud CoE
- Migration and modernization of analytics workloads
- Mainframe decommissioning and legacy workload modernization
- Enterprise-wide technology roadmaps and portfolio rationalization
- Azure Community of Practice leadership
- FinOps implementation for cost optimization
- Strengthening hybrid connectivity (ExpressRoute, private endpoints)
- 30 Days: Onboard, review Azure landing zone, begin knowledge transfer, establish relationships.
- 60 Days: Take ownership of governance, manage backlog, initiate FinOps, update standards.
- 90 Days: Lead solution design for modernization projects, mature automation, deliver cloud roadmap.
WoodmenLife offers a competitive compensation package and a comprehensive benefits package (https://www.woodmenlife.org/careers/home-office/benefits/). As part of WoodmenLife’s employment process, candidates will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check (where required for position), Fingerprint check (where required for position), drug screen and reference checks. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon successfully passing the above.
WoodmenLife is committed to excellence in diversity by creating an inclusive work environment that values and respects all individuals. We welcome and embrace associates, regardless of background and beliefs. WoodmenLife respects every associate’s unique perspective and contribution. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that values differences, and creates opportunities for growth, leadership and service. This commitment includes providing equal opportunity in recruitment, employment and promotion, training and community outreach. WoodmenLife is also dedicated to strengthening the communities in which its employees live.
APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES SHOULD ADVISE THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION IF SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS ARE NEEDED.
Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (WoodmenLife) is an equal opportunity employer.
