Director of Technology-Chief Architect

The Bridgespan Group (“Bridgespan”) is a global nonprofit that aims to build a better world by strengthening the ability of mission-driven organizations, philanthropists, impact investors, and corporations to achieve breakthrough results in addressing society’s most important challenges and opportunities.

Founded in 2000, Bridgespan has offices in Boston, Johannesburg, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, and Singapore. Across these six locations, we have a diverse team of staff with varied backgrounds and experience across multiple sectors.

We work with social change organizations such as BRAC, CAMFED, the Harlem Children’s zone, Janaagraha, Noora Health, PolicyLink, and UnidosUS; philanthropies such as the Ford Foundation; impact investors such as TPG’s Rise Fund, Black Ambition and the Impact Investors Council of India; and bold, collaborative initiatives such as TED’s Audacious Project, Blue Meridian Partners and Co-Impact.

We value diversity, passion, respect, candor, and most of all having social impact and working towards societies characterized by equity and justice. Equity is central to all that we do. Our mission to break cycles of poverty is impossible if we do not also achieve equity and racial equity in the US, given the intersection of issues of race, gender, caste, etc., with poverty and justice. We are doing the essential work to build a team and leadership at all levels that is diverse, develop a truly inclusive culture, and integrate a focus on equity in all our client work.

As our firm's global footprint expands, we seek individuals who are enthusiastic about collaborating with teams across the globe. If you want to work with the market leader that bridges the worlds of game-changing philanthropists, social change leaders, and impact investors, then Bridgespan is the place for you.

Position summary

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director of Architecture to define and lead the technology architecture strategy at Bridgespan. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Technology, you will drive the architectural design, development, and progression of our software applications, systems, data and IT infrastructure. This role involves shaping high-level architectural specifications, determining feasibility and functionality and ensuring integration with existing systems and technologies. The Architect will work closely with the VP of Technology and other IT and business leaders to guide decisions

Who you are:

You are a visionary leader and seasoned architect passionate about leveraging technology to drive social impact. You're driven by innovation and the opportunity to shape the technological future of an organization committed to creating positive social change.

With a robust background in software development and architecture, you bring a strategic mindset to high-level technical challenges, but are also willing to get in the weeds and be hands-on when necessary. Your leadership style is inclusive and collaborative, enabling you to build and maintain strong relationships with both technical team members and non-technical stakeholders.

Communication is one of your strengths. You know how to articulate complex technical ideas in ways that are accessible to all audiences, ensuring alignment across diverse teams. You are also a proactive problem-solver, constantly seeking new ways to improve processes and deliver solutions that are not only effective but also sustainable and scalable.

You are excited by the prospect of joining a small but growing technology team at Bridgespan. You understand the unique challenges and opportunities of working in a mission-driven organization and are ready to lead with integrity, creativity, and a strong sense of responsibility.

Candidate would ideally be located near our Boston headquarters. We are willing to consider remote candidates who can work EST hours to support our offices outside the U.S.

Key responsibilities

• Architectural Leadership and Design: Develop and maintain high-level architectural blueprints of complex software systems to ensure they align with business objectives and technology strategy. Lead the creation and review of systems designs to ensure consistency with enterprise architecture standards and business goals.
• Technology Evaluation and Selection: Spearhead the evaluation and selection process for software product standards and configurations. Identify, assess, and recommend new technologies or software enhancements that align with strategic needs, improving functionality and performance across the organization.
• Implementation Oversight: Collaborate closely with development teams to ensure the architectural vision is correctly translated into actionable designs. Monitor the implementation process, providing expert guidance and making pivotal decisions to maintain alignment with the architectural framework and principles.
• Research and Innovation: Actively research emerging technology trends, software tools, and industry best practices. Evaluate their potential impact on the organization's operations and spearhead the adoption of innovations that enhance our technological capabilities and competitive edge.
• Best Practices and Compliance: Champion and ensure adherence to best practices in software architecture, focusing on key areas such as scalability, availability, maintainability, and security. Develop and maintain governance processes that ensure compliance with these practices across all technology projects and initiatives.
• Strategic Planning and Collaboration: Work in close partnership with the VP of Technology, product managers, and other key business leaders to align architectural strategies with business objectives. Participate in strategic planning sessions, contribute to the technology roadmap, and ensure that all technology initiatives support the broader goals of the organization.
• Technical Leadership and Mentorship: Mentor and provide technical leadership to developers, engineers, and other technical staff. Assist with hiring new talent. Foster a culture of technical excellence and innovation, encouraging continuous learning and professional growth within the team.
• Project Management and Communication: Develop technical plans and monitor their execution to manage timelines, identify potential risks, and implement contingency plans. Effectively communicate architectural decisions, plans, and rationales to stakeholders at all levels, including management, development teams, and external clients or partners.
• Unified Data Architecture Development: Design and collaborate on the roadmap for a unified data architecture that supports integrated business intelligence and analytics. Ensure that all data systems and practices meet the needs of the organization and comply with data governance standards.
• Technology Advocacy and Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as a key technology advocate, explaining the business benefits and implications of technology decisions to non-technical stakeholders. Facilitate informed decision-making processes and foster a collaborative environment where business and technology units align and thrive.

Qualifications and Skills

The ideal candidate should have:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• 10+ years of experience in software development, with at least 5 years in an architectural or senior technical role.
• Strong knowledge of software architecture principles and patterns, programming languages, and software development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and IT infrastructure architecture.
• Willingness to be hands-on where necessary.
• Experience and broad knowledge of database design and technologies and data integration.
• Proficient in designing and implementing scalable, high-availability, and secure systems.
• Experience in Agile methodologies and DevOps practices.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple simultaneous projects and deliverables.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and technical leadership and interpersonal skills. Capable of collaborating with cross-functional teams and Bridgespan leaders, and able to build consensus and drive alignment on product and technology vision and goals.
• Enthusiasm for Bridgespan’s organizational values and commitment to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion.

At Bridgespan, we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion because we are passionate about helping our clients achieve breakthrough results. An organization that reflects the diversity of our clients and their beneficiaries will produce deeper relationships, engagement, and insights. Bridgespan is committed to providing equal opportunities. We serve diverse organizations and are committed to non-discrimination. Bridgespan will not discriminate against any employee with respect to any term or condition of employment, including but not limited to less favorable treatment, exclusion from employment, or employment opportunities (including hiring, assignment, performance assessment, and promotion) on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, gender (including pregnancy), gender identity, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, expression, veteran’s status or other protected characteristics or status. We actively partner with organizations representing minority concerns and interests to build high-performing teams that mirror the communities we serve.

All company-sponsored programs including training, job, social and recreational activities are required to be nondiscriminatory and all human resource practices are monitored to ensure equal opportunity.