The Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (WCB) invites firms to submit a Proposal for the following: The supply of one (1) full-time resource to act as the Enterprise Cloud Architect for an initial period of twelve (12) months, with an irrevocable option to extend for an additional two (2) periods of six (6) months each, to execute against the WCB's cloud roadmap initiatives, assist in developing essential artifacts to enhance the WCB's cloud capabilities, and contribute to the WCB's strategic project initiatives specifically within the IT risk mitigation portfolio.
Description of Services
The WCB requires the Contractor to supply the Enterprise Cloud Architect on a full-time basis [thirty-six and a quarter (36.25) hours per week] to provide their leadership, expertise, and support to the WCB's cloud roadmap and priority initiatives in alignment with the transition to the target state architecture.
The Enterprise Cloud Architect, who will be a core member of the Enterprise Architecture Office, will work with internal and external stakeholders to implement the WCB's enterprise cloud computing strategy, in line with the Enterprise Architecture Office's operating model, strategic objectives, and governance. This role will also present any architecture changes in the cloud domain at the WCB's Architecture Review Board for approval and cross alignment with other architecture domains and IT operations, and ensure that it supports the WCB's IT risk mitigation objectives.
The Enterprise Cloud Architect will be responsible for the overall performance, standards, and direction of the architecture for the cloud domain and the creation/updates to key enterprise architecture deliverables. This role will also oversee all deployments in the cloud environments and support solution development efforts.
The Enterprise Cloud Architect will assess and identify risks associated with IT-managed operational environments, prioritizing high-risk areas by collaborating with IT teams, management, and stakeholders to define actionable architectural solutions that address vulnerabilities and risk exposures effectively.
The Enterprise Cloud Architect will collaborate with IT risk management teams to plan and design cloud architecture solutions that align with mitigation objectives and are adaptable to evolving organizational needs.
In the event of an incident or breach, the Enterprise Cloud Architect will work with the WCB's Cybersecurity teams and other architects to provide architectural guidance to address the root causes of security incidents and propose measures to prevent recurrence.
The Enterprise Cloud Architect will develop and maintain detailed documentation of all architected risk mitigation solutions, ensuring clarity and accessibility for stakeholders involved in implementing and maintaining these solutions.
The Enterprise Cloud Architect will be responsible for the cloud initiatives at the WCB and for directing the architectural aspects of the cloud strategy across all aspects of IT and the business.
The Enterprise Cloud Architect will lead and be the foundation of a CCOE (cloud centre of excellence). The Enterprise Cloud Architect will guide cloud adoption and usage via three (3) main areas of capabilities; governance, brokerage, and transformation.
The Enterprise Cloud Architect will be responsible for building and implementing a target state cloud operating model that includes, but is not limited to:
a) Clear allocations of responsibility for cloud related functions;
b) Formal mechanisms for collaboration on cloud strategy and policy;
c) Formal or informal means for cross-functional collaboration and the sharing of best practices;
d) Cloud enablement (e.g., cloud governance, brokerage, and transformation);
e) Cloud sourcing; and
f) Cloud security and risks management.
It is expected that the Enterprise Cloud Architect has the experience and capabilities to successfully achieve the following responsibilities:
a) Plan, design, implement, and maintain all cloud computing environments and services in the WCB with a priority on IT risk mitigation initiatives;
b) Lead the analysis of the WCB's future-state cloud capabilities and current IT environment to detect critical gaps and opportunities and recommend solutions for improvement to drive cloud migration;
c) Identify organizational requirements for the resources, structures, and cultural changes necessary to support the enterprise cloud architecture;
d) Identify and translate business and technical requirements into target and reference architectures to achieve IT risk mitigation objectives;
e) Maintain cloud infrastructure architecture and monitor its performance according to WCB business objectives;
f) Research, evaluate, and recommend cloud infrastructure solutions based on business and technology considerations, and suitable alternatives to satisfy the WCB's needs;
g) Integrate cloud solutions with existing IT infrastructure, enterprise tools, and systems;
h) Analyse the current enterprise architecture to identify weaknesses and opportunities for improvement using cloud infrastructure solutions;
i) Ensure compliance of cloud solutions to architectural standards, principles, and solution patterns;
j) Act as a subject matter expert on technologies and trends in cloud architecture;
k) Assist in cloud infrastructure planning and implementation, including preparation, configuration, and administration of cloud service-level and vendor support agreements;
l) Perform advanced troubleshooting concerning cloud infrastructure operations (diagnose problems based on knowledge of application architecture, orchestration, virtualization, system operation, etc.);
m) Perform evaluations of enterprise cloud technology standards, tools, products, and solutions to identify opportunities for improvement and speed up user adoption;
n) Remain abreast of emerging cloud technologies in order to evaluate and recommend external vendor offerings to determine best fit for the WCB's business needs;
o) Produce technical documents of systems and architectures;
p) Transfer knowledge to WCB staff, ensuring WCB resources have acquired the capabilities to support the target state cloud operations; and
q) Provide hands-on coaching and development to WCB staff through day-to-day execution of assigned deliverables and activities.
The Enterprise Cloud Architect is expected to possess the following skills, competencies, and characteristics:
a) Ability to articulate new ideas and concepts to technical and non-technical audiences;
b) Ability to build collaborative working relationships with various internal and external stakeholders;
c) Strong analytical ability and mindset;
d) Ability to rapidly acquire new knowledge and skills;
e) Familiarity with service design and pricing in the context of cloud-based solutions;
f) Working knowledge of cloud management platforms;
g) Experience as a solution architect or cloud architect in a complex operating environment;
h) Hands on implementation experience in the design and provisioning of cloud technologies;
i) Experience deploying and operating a public cloud framework;
j) Experience with cloud networking including Express Route, MPLS gateway, IPSEC, Private Peering; and
k) Experience with cloud deployment, technical and security architecture, legacy infrastructure architectures, database architecture, virtualization, software design, software development, IP networking, agile development, application lifecycle management, programming languages, technical solution architecture, and Microsoft Azure.
The Services shall normally be performed during Business Hours. However, the WCB may request some of the Services to be performed outside Business Hours from time to time, as deemed necessary, in the unfettered discretion of the WCB. The Contractor shall not be entitled to charge overtime rates unless specified in the Fee Schedule.
The Contractor will not be required to have and maintain workers compensation coverage for its workers who will be providing the Services, unless required pursuant to The Workers Compensation Act.
It is expected the Services will be required for an initial period of twelve (12) months with a preferred start date of March 31, 2025. The WCB shall have an irrevocable option to further extend the Services on the same terms and conditions and fees for an additional two (2) periods of six (6) months each.
The Proposal should include an overview of the proposed resource(s) being offered, including profiles of work, which highlight their experience performing similar projects. Vendors are also expected to provide the following information for each proposed resource (in additional to the information requested in Schedule "A" section 8.2):
a) Resource's name and identify any subcontractor relationship (i.e. if individual resource is not an employee of the Vendor);
b) Completed skills matrix identifying resource's skills and knowledge;
c) Ability to start on WCB's preferred start date or later date of availability; and
d) Resume of resource.
Final selection of a resource may be subject to an in-person, telephone, or video conference interview by the WCB.
The Services can be provided remotely with a minimum of twenty-five percent (25%) up to fifty percent (50%) of the time required onsite at the WCB's facilities located at 333/363 Broadway in Winnipeg, Manitoba, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
Vendors are strongly encouraged to provide a skills matrix for each resource that is being offered for the Enterprise Cloud Architect position. The WCB may use the skills matrix, in addition to the Vendor's general information, and resume of the proposed resource(s), as an additional tool to evaluate the suitability of a resource for the Enterprise Cloud Architect position.
