Company Background
OAK Global is a leading risk partner, embracing the global reach afforded through operating in the Lloyd’s market. Underwriting through Lloyd’s Syndicates 2843 and 1440. Headquartered in London, OAK Global operates across key global markets, addressing complex risks with expertise across diverse industries. The company prides itself on fostering trusted partnerships, leveraging advanced analytics and underwriting expertise, and maintaining financial stability.
About the Role
OAK Global offers a rare opportunity to work within a true greenfield environment. Free from legacy systems, complex migrations, or transformation constraints, we are building a modern, best‑in‑class technology architecture designed to deliver exceptional business value from day one. The Head of Architecture & Engineering will report into the Head of Business Technology based in London and this will be a key leadership role based for their newly established Dublin Tech office.
This is a hands‑on leadership role suited to someone who can operate at both strategic and execution levels, shaping cloud‑native architecture modern engineering practices within OAK Global. The ideal individual is someone who can think creatively and develop innovative, technology and data‑driven solutions that create differentiation in the (re)insurance market. They will be supported by a culture of ambition, innovation and drive.
Key Responsibilities
Architecture Strategy & Innovation
Deliver the company’s architecture and engineering strategy
Shape and evolve the target architecture across applications, integration, data, AI, security, and cloud.
Build on our modern architecture standards, including cloud‑native, API‑first, event‑driven, modular, and secure‑by‑design approaches.
Identify opportunities to use cloud, automation, AI, and emerging technologies
Champion modern ways of working, including AI‑assisted tooling, automation, and high‑velocity delivery practices.
Build and lead a high‑performing architecture and engineering team.
Stay hands‑on, working alongside the team from design through to delivery.
Provide clear technical leadership and architectural direction.
Define and embed best practices for engineering, testing, and architecture.
Own the design and delivery of scalable, secure, high‑performing AWS platforms and services.
Lead ongoing operation of modern cloud practices, including Infrastructure as Code, CI/CD, security, observability, and cost optimisation.
Drive strong engineering practices across DevSecOps, automated testing, code review, release automation, and production support.
Promote modern tooling, including AI‑enabled development tools and intelligent automation
Establish reusable patterns, reference architectures, and shared platform capabilities.
Ensure delivery quality through robust testing, reviews, validation & adherence to standards.
Business Partnership & Solution Design
Partner with stakeholders to turn business needs into robust, differentiated technology solutions.
Working closely with the Head of Data ensure new solutions integrate effectively through strong APIs, event‑driven design, and governed interfaces.
Operational Excellence, Security & Governance
Optimise platform performance, reliability, resilience, security, and cost efficiency.
Enhance AWS governance and operational standards across environments, security, resilience, monitoring, and FinOps.
External Partnerships & Emerging Technology
Build strong relationships with vendors, partners, and external stakeholders.
Provide architectural oversight for GenAI, ensuring secure, scalable foundations and practical business use cases.
The Ideal Candidate
Experience & Leadership
Proven track record in a senior architecture, engineering, or technology leadership role.
Strong experience defining and leading technology strategy in a cloud‑first environment.
Track record of building and developing high‑performing teams.
Able to balance pace, pragmatism, resilience, and scalability and operate strategically while staying close to delivery. Credible, collaborative leader with strong stakeholder influence.
Modern Architecture & Engineering Expertise
Strong grasp of modern architecture patterns, including cloud‑native, API‑first, event‑driven, modular, and secure‑by‑design.
Solid software engineering background with experience in DevSecOps, CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, automated testing, observability, and release automation.
Experience embedding engineering standards, reference architectures, and governance.
Cloud, Innovation & Business Value
Hands‑on experience building and operating AWS‑based platforms and services.
Strong knowledge of cloud architecture across infrastructure, networking, IAM, resilience, monitoring, security, and cost optimisation.
Track record of using technology to deliver business value and differentiation.
Comfortable adopting AI‑assisted engineering tools and automation with sound governance.
Commercially aware, with the ability to link technology decisions to business outcomes.
Stakeholder Engagement & Delivery
Strong experience working with business stakeholders to shape solutions and delivery.
Translate complex requirements into clear architectural direction and executable outcomes.
Strong communicator with both technical and non‑technical audiences. Comfortable working in fast‑paced, evolving environments.
Experience in a greenfield environment.
Experience in financial services, insurance, or another regulated industry.
Exposure to data, AI, or GenAI‑enabled platforms.
Familiarity with modern enterprise integration across application, data, and cloud domains.
Key Initial Delivery Expectations
Define and drive adoption of OAK Global’s architecture and engineering strategy.
Build core architecture and engineering capability, including standards, governance, and delivery practices.
Identify and prioritise early technology opportunities that create measurable value and differentiation.
Why Join OAK Global?
Join a culture that values Creativity, Excellence, Determination, Authenticity, and Respect (CEDAR). You’ll work closely with industry‑leading talent, shape OAK Global’s technology direction, and directly enable the company’s strategic growth.
Remuneration Package
Highly competitive remuneration package
Location
Dublin 2
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