The Director of Architecture for e-Commerce and Digital Retail will lead architecture strategy and execution for our global e-commerce and digital retail platforms. (S)he will own Solutions Architecture for all guest-facing digital channels and products/platforms and lead a team of Solutions Architects. This role requires a strategic thinker with deep technical expertise and a passion for innovation, as well as a hands-on architect, leading some of the projects directly. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with large-scale, high-performance e-commerce/omnichannel architecture, engineering and operations; cloud technologies; and a strong background in the QSR and/or retail industry. (S)he will be responsible for transforming Inspire Digital Platform into a scalable multi-brand white-labeled platform and drive integration of Inspire Brands’ vertical e-commerce and restaurant technology capabilities into a cohesive Unified Commerce architecture. This role will be part of Architecture & Innovation team and report to VP, Architecture & Innovation. RESPONSIBILITIES: • Strategic Leadership: • Develop and lead a cohesive architecture strategy for e-commerce and digital retail platforms. • Collaborate with executive leadership to align architectural initiatives and designs with business objectives. • Drive innovation and digital transformation efforts across the organization. • Architecture Development: • Design and implement scalable, secure, and highly performant architectural solutions. • Ensure architectural alignment with business goals, industry and company standards and best practices. • Oversee the development and maintenance of architectural documentation, standards, and guidelines. • Team Leadership and Collaboration: • Lead a team of architects, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including product management, engineering, operations, and marketing. Provide thought leadership and support. • Mentor and develop team members, promoting knowledge sharing and professional growth. • Technology and Innovation: • Stay abreast of emerging technologies and industry trends, evaluating their potential impact on the business. Examples may include voice AI, drone delivery service, recommendation engine, etc. • Drive the adoption of modern technologies and best practices such as API-driven architectures, cloud computing, microservices, etc. • Champion the use of data and analytics to drive decision-making and enhance customer experiences. • Project and Vendor Management: • Manage complex architectural efforts/projects from conception through implementation, ensuring timely and successful delivery. • Manage relationships with external vendors and partners, ensuring alignment with architectural goals. • Monitor and report on architecture progress, risks, and outcomes to senior leadership. Education And Experience Qualifications • 4 Year Degree; Preferred Bachelor's or Master's degree in a technical field. • 10+ years of experience in solutions architecture and engineering, with a focus on e-commerce and digital retail. Skills, Knowledge And Abilities • Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. The ability to influence engineers, peers, and executive stakeholders. • Expert knowledge and experience architecting, designing and implementing large-scale e-commerce/retail/omnichannel solutions for restaurant (QSR), retail, and/or hospitality companies. • Strong knowledge and masterful application of modern application, integration and data practices and patterns, such as Domain Driven Design, Event-Driven Architecture, Microservices, CQRS, circuit breaker, bulkhead, etc. • Thorough understanding and experience with modern IT practices such as DevOps, Continuous Delivery, Agile, Lean, Design Thinking, etc. • Strong understanding of security, compliance, and data privacy requirements in a global context. • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with multiple priorities. • Experience with Agile methodologies and project management best practices. • Thorough understanding and experience with modern IT practices such as DevOps, Continuous Delivery, Agile, Lean, Design Thinking, etc. • People coaching and development. Inspire Brands is a multi-brand restaurant company whose portfolio includes more than 32,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants worldwide. We’re made up of some of the world’s most iconic restaurant brands, but we’re much more than just a restaurant company. We’re a team of hundreds of thousands who individually and collectively are changing the way people eat, drink, and gather around the table. We know that food is much more than a staple—it’s an experience. At Inspire, that’s our purpose: to ignite and nourish flavorful experiences.