Enterprise Applications Solutions Architect

Bell Bank is seeking an Enterprise Applications Solutions Architect in Fargo, ND. This role involves leading solution development, aligning technology initiatives with business goals, and optimizing processes. The architect will engage with business units, manage IT application initiatives, ensure compliance, and promote security. Responsibilities include strategic leadership, project collaboration, and continuous improvement. The position emphasizes collaboration across teams and does not include direct supervisory duties.
The Enterprise Applications Solution Architect serves as a key business and technical leader across the entire lifecycle of solution development at Bell Bank. This individual ensures that technology initiatives align with enterprise goals, compliance standards, and evolving business needs. Acting as a bridge between business units and IT resources, this position champions integrated, efficient, and forward-looking solutions that support organizational scalability, security, and agility. This role is highly strategic, cross-functional, and hands-on-requiring strong analytical thinking, technical acumen, and business process insight. The position does not include direct supervisory responsibilities but influences direction and fosters collaboration across teams.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Solution Architecture
• Act as a lead strategist and architect for business and technical solutions across departments.
• Coordinate end-to-end IT application initiatives, ensuring solutions are efficient, secure, and aligned with organizational goals.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on integration design, system architecture, and application lifecycle management.
• Stay current with IT trends and compliance regulations; proactively recommend modern, compliant, and scalable solutions.

Business Engagement & Process Optimization
• Engage closely with business units to understand strategic goals and translate them into technical solutions.
• Analyze and improve existing processes and systems; recommend integration and automation opportunities.
• Create and manage business requirements documents, user stories, test plans, and user interface designs.
• Assist in the selection, implementation, and optimization of new systems, tools, and integrations.

Project Collaboration & Execution
• Partner with project managers, developers, and operational staff to coordinate complex IT initiatives.
• Participate in or lead design sessions, technical reviews, and deployment planning for cross-functional efforts.
• Map project dependencies, manage risks, and represent the business in critical design decisions.
• Lead or support functional and technical testing to validate solution readiness.

Quality, Security & Compliance
• Ensure application development and integration activities adhere to internal policies and security standards.
• Maintain documentation and procedures to meet audit and compliance requirements, working with Internal Audit as needed.
• Promote secure development practices and ensure disaster recovery readiness across supported solutions.

Continuous Improvement & Knowledge Sharing
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and improvement-for self and across departments.
• Actively contribute to process improvements, cross-functional knowledge sharing, and agile team practices.
• Mentor junior team members informally by sharing expertise and promoting best practices.

Bell Bank Culture, Policy and Accountability Standards:
• Know by name and face as many customers and employees as possible, calling them by name as often as possible.
• Know and practice LOCBUTN, our Golden Rules, and Bell Bank Customer Service Standards.
• Know, understand, and live the company values and bottom line.
• Conduct activities consistent with established Bell Bank policies, procedures and systems, the Bell Bank Employee Conduct policies, the Bank Secrecy Act and all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
• All employees are responsible for information security, including compliance with policies and standards which protect sensitive information.
• Prompt and reliable attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education, Experience, and Other Expectations
• Bachelor's degree in IT, computer science or similar field; or an equivalent amount of experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in IT solution design, enterprise applications, or systems integration - ideally in a regulated or financial services environment.
• Experience with application lifecycle management, system integrations (e.g. APIs, data pipelines), and enterprise platforms (e.g., ERP, CRM, cloud infrastructure).
• Proven experience in IT architecture, solution design, or enterprise application strategy.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
• Strong knowledge of business processes, data integration, systems analysis, and application security.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Familiarity with compliance standards in financial services or regulated industries preferred.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in complex, fast-paced environments.
• Ability to translate business goals into scalable technical architectures, balancing user experience, security, and performance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a track record of influencing stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Commitment to continuous learning, emerging technologies, and process improvement.