Lead Architect in Melbourne, Australia

• Lead a team of architects dedicated to unlocking value for REA’s customers and consumers through applications of data and AI

• Sustainability – We are certified carbon neutral and committed to reducing our impact on the environment.

We’re REA

With bold and ambitious goals, REA Group (https://www.rea-group.com/about-us/about-rea-group/) is changing the way the world experiences property. No matter where you’re at on your property journey, we’re here to help with every step – whether that’s finding or financing your next home.

Our people are the key to our success. At the heart of everything we do, is a thriving culture centred around high performance and care. We are purpose driven and collaborative, which drives innovation and our ability to make a real impact. As such, we’re proud to have been named in Australia’s “Top 5” Best Workplaces (https://www.rea-group.com/about-us/#our-awards) two years in a row, as well as being recognised as a Best Workplace for Women.

Where the team fits in

This role sits within the Architecture team led by our Chief Architect, Evan Bottcher. Members of the Architecture team work across REA guiding technology strategy and roadmap investments, facilitating key technology decisions in line with strategy, and supporting delivery teams to design and deliver solutions. The architecture team – including the Lead Architects – spend most of their time embedded within the business portfolios and strategic programs, while reserving some capacity to work together on cross-cutting strategic actions.

The Architecture team is part of REA’s Global Technology group, with a reporting line to CTO Steve Maidment.

What the role is all about

As the Lead Architect – Data & Insights, you will lead a team of architects dedicated to unlocking value for REA’s customers and consumers through applications of data and AI. You will lead the architecture strategy and technical direction for this pillar across REA and support your team in their work within the business bringing technology strategy to life. As an architect yourself, you will work directly with one or more portfolios to provide leadership in technology strategy, solution design, and key technology decisions.

Key responsibilities:

• Work closely with Chief Architect and GM Data Intelligence and teams to develop REA’s Enterprise Data and AI Strategy and architectural plans in line with strategy.

• Ensure architects and architecture solutions within your pillar are aligned with enterprise strategies including technology strategy, data and AI strategy.

• Deliver on innovative new features and capabilities powered by data and AI, including Generative AI, Agentic AI, personalisation, and intelligent search.

• Establish architecture principles, frameworks, and guide the creation of platforms to enable our data & AI, technology and business strategies.

• Lead and mentor a team of architects, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Work closely with senior leaders across product, design, and technology to ensure alignment and delivery of business outcomes.

• Work directly with teams in one or more portfolio yourself helping establish architecture roadmap and supporting team members with design and key decisions.

• Collaborate with the Chief Architect and EM, Architecture to contribute to and support evolving REA’s architectural practice.

• Proactively monitor technology trends relevant to your pillar.

Who we’re looking for

• You will bring extensive experience delivering data and AI solutions, with the ability to think strategically and be decisive

• A curious mind who loves to continue their learning about technology and can bring this knowledge to grow their team.

• A seasoned people leader who understands how to enable high performing teams and build alignment.

• Multiple architectural runs on the board – perhaps re-platforms, vendor migrations, etc – with the ability to shape the path and deliver business outcomes.

• Pragmatic approach to identifying, understanding, and managing technology risk

• Excellent communication skills that can adapt from senior business leaders to deep subject matter experts

• Equipped with commercial acumen and the ability to apply a commercial lens when evaluating and recommending solutions, including managing vendor relationships and evaluating vendor solutions.

• Experience developing data management and governance approaches across complex data landscapes

• Deep understanding of machine learning and AI technologies within an ability to support integration of this technology into products and experiences

• Experience of martech and related technologies, including SaaS vendors.

• Deep understanding of cloud technologies, data and software architecture patterns, scalable system design, software delivery fundamentals

• Hands-on experience with Google BigQuery, Apache Airflow, DBT, Data Vault, Event-driven Architectures and Event Streaming, Apache Kafka or equivalent technologies.

• Experience with Agile methodologies, DevOps, & FinOps practices

• Tertiary qualification in Computer Science or similar is highly desirable.

The REA experience

The physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our people is something we’ll never stop caring about. This is a place to learn and grow.

Some of our Perks & Benefits (https://www.rea-group.com/about-us/news-and-insights/blog/how-we-help-our-people/) include:

• A hybrid and flexible approach to working

• Flexible leave options including, birthday leave and purchase additional leave

• Flexible parental leave offering for primary and secondary carers

• Our Because We Care program offers employees volunteering leave, community grants, matched payroll giving and our Community Café donates 100% of revenue to charity

• Hackdays so you can bring your big ideas to life

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe teams with diverse ideas and experiences are more creative, more effective and fuel disruptive thinking. If you’ve got the skills, dedication and enthusiasm to learn but don’t necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch.

Join our Talent Neighbourhood

Keen to be part of REA but didn’t find a perfect match with this opportunity? Perhaps the timing isn’t right? You should join our Talent Neighbourhood! (https://rea.to/careers-talentneighbourhood)