Director of Operational Infrastructure Architecture

Job Summary

Farmers is seeking a visionary Director of Operational Infrastructure Architecture, reporting to the Head of Technology and Security Architecture, to define and lead the enterprise strategy for foundational infrastructure platforms and operational services. This leadership role oversees the full operational technology stack, ensuring resilience, scalability, and security across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. The scope includes compute, storage, network, telephony, virtualization, end-user computing (EUC), automation, AIOps, and modernization/migration strategies, all aligned to business objectives and regulatory requirements.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and maintain comprehensive operational infrastructure strategy and roadmaps that support enterprise modernization and operational excellence.
• Establish and maintain governance for infrastructure and technology lifecycle management, including standards for architecture, security, and compliance.
• Lead the transition from traditional infrastructure operations to automated, policy-driven models, embedding agility and resilience into design and delivery.
• Drive adoption and maturity of hyper-automation, AIOps, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to improve efficiency and predictability.
• Champion Architecture as Code for automated, version-controlled, and policy-driven infrastructure design.

Platform & Technology Oversight

• Oversee compute, storage, and virtualization platforms (on-prem and cloud), ensuring performance and cost optimization.
• Govern network architecture (LAN/WAN, SD-WAN, VPN, firewalls) and telephony systems (VoIP, SIP trunking) for secure and reliable connectivity.
• Manage architecture strategy for end-user computing platforms, including Microsoft 365, Intune, SCCM, and VDI solutions.
• Drive adoption of AIOps and observability frameworks for proactive monitoring, predictive analytics, and incident response.
• Drive migration strategies for legacy systems to modern platforms across multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP, Kyndryl).

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Lead and mentor a strong team of infrastructure architects, fostering innovation and accountability.
• Partner with business leaders, operations teams, and security stakeholders to ensure infrastructure capabilities meet evolving business needs.
• Communicate complex technical strategies in clear business terms to influence executive decision-making and secure investment.

Technical Scope:

• Compute, Containers, and Serverless: VMware, Windows Server, Linux (RHEL), ROSA (AWS), AKS, Lambda.
• Network & Telephony: Cisco, Palo Alto, SD-WAN, VPN, VoIP systems, SIP trunking.
• EUC & Microsoft Technologies: Microsoft 365, Active Directory, Intune, SCCM, Citrix, Horizon.
• Cloud Infrastructure: AWS, Azure, GCP hybrid deployments; migration frameworks (7R).
• Automation & AIOps: Terraform, Ansible, ServiceNow ITOM, Dynatrace, Splunk.
• Security & Compliance: Zero Trust, IAM, endpoint security, regulatory frameworks.
• Observability: Dynatrace, Splunk, predictive analytics for operational health.

Leadership Competencies

• Visionary Leadership: Ability to anticipate future infrastructure trends and align them with business strategy.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Skilled at bridging gaps between operations, security, and business units.
• Influence & Negotiation: Proven ability to secure buy-in for complex initiatives across diverse stakeholders.
• Team Building: Experience creating high-performing infrastructure teams and fostering innovation.
• Strategic Communication: Ability to simplify technical complexity for executive audiences and inspire confidence.

Experience Requirements

• Progressive experience in Information Technology with a strong focus on infrastructure engineering and architecture.
• 4+ years in a formal architecture role (e.g., Enterprise Architect, Principal Architect) with demonstrated ability to define and implement enterprise-wide strategies.
• 3+ years in a leadership capacity, managing senior technical staff and driving large-scale modernization initiatives.
• Proven track record of leading infrastructure transformation programs across hybrid and multi-cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Deep expertise in:
  • Compute, Storage, and Virtualization (VMware, Windows Server, Linux).
  • Network and Telephony (LAN/WAN, SD-WAN, VPN, VoIP, SIP trunking).
  • End-User Computing platforms (Microsoft 365, Intune, SCCM, VDI).
  • Automation and AIOps (Terraform, Ansible, ServiceNow ITOM, Dynatrace, Splunk).
• Strong understanding of security frameworks, Zero Trust principles, IAM, and regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical strategies into business outcomes, influencing executive decision-making.
• Excellent executive communication skills and ability to build consensus across diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Experience

• Experience implementing Architecture as Code and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for automated, policy-driven infrastructure design.
• Familiarity with observability frameworks and predictive analytics for operational health.
• Exposure to hyper-automation strategies and advanced AIOps platforms.
• Hands-on experience with containerization and orchestration (Kubernetes, AKS, ROSA).
• Knowledge of FinOps practices for cloud cost optimization.
• Prior experience in regulated industries with strong compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to mentor and develop high-performing architecture teams, fostering innovation and accountability.

Education Requirements

Physical Actions

Sits or stands for extended periods of time, up to a full work shift. Occasionally reaches overhead and below the knees, including bending, twisting, pulling, and stooping. Occasionally moves, lifts, carries, and places objects and supplies weighing 0-10 pounds without assistance. Listens to, interprets, and differentiates auditory information (e.g. others speaking) at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Visually verifies and reads information. Visually locates material, resources and other objects. Ability to operate a computer for extended periods of time, up to a full work shift. Physical dexterity sufficient to use hands, arms, and shoulders repetitively to operate keyboard and other office equipment up to a full work shift.

Physical Environment