Principal Cloud Architect

About The Group

Cognizant’s Cloud, Infrastructure, and Security Services Practice (CIS), is all about accepting digital transformation by driving core modernization holistically across layers. We help customers transform infrastructure and workplace to meet the constantly evolving needs of the digital era. Our broad approach delivers key results for our customers by achieving cloud driven modernization and workplace and operational transformation to own the business in a secure environment.

• Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*

Role

Program Director

Location

Toronto, ON

Role Summary

The Program Director will lead and govern large-scale technology transformation programs across infrastructure, cloud, modernization, automation, and digital transformation initiatives. The individual will be responsible for end-to-end program ownership, including strategy alignment, governance, stakeholder management, financial oversight, risk management, delivery execution, and business outcomes.

The role requires strong leadership capabilities, experience managing large enterprise transformation programs, and the ability to bridge business, technology, and delivery organizations while ensuring successful execution of strategic initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Governance
• Lead complex enterprise transformation programs from initiation through closure.
• Establish program governance structures, steering committees, and executive reporting mechanisms.
• Define program objectives, success criteria, operating model, and delivery roadmap.
• Ensure alignment of program outcomes with client and organizational strategic goals.
• Manage cross-functional delivery teams across multiple geographies and workstreams.
• Transformation Delivery
• Drive cloud migration, application modernization, infrastructure transformation, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Oversee planning, execution, dependency management, and milestone tracking.
• Manage delivery risks, issues, assumptions, and dependencies through structured governance processes.
• Ensure timely realization of business benefits and adoption outcomes.
• Lead program recovery actions when required.
• Stakeholder Management
• Act as trusted advisor to executive stakeholders, business sponsors, and client leadership.
• Facilitate steering committee meetings and executive governance reviews.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and provide transparent communication on program health.
• Build strong partnerships across business, architecture, engineering, operations, and vendor organizations.
• Financial & Commercial Management
• Own program budgets, forecasting, resource planning, and financial governance.
• Monitor revenue, cost optimization, profitability, and financial performance.
• Ensure delivery commitments remain aligned with contractual and commercial obligations.
• Manage change requests, scope adjustments, and investment decisions.
• Risk & Compliance Management
• Establish program controls and governance frameworks.
• Drive proactive risk identification, mitigation planning, and escalation management.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, security standards, and audit controls.
• Oversee business continuity and operational readiness activities.
• People Leadership
• Lead and mentor program managers, delivery leads, architects, and project teams.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Build high-performing teams and support talent development initiatives.
• Drive performance management and succession planning across program leadership roles.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related discipline.
• 15+ years of IT industry experience.
• 8+ years of experience leading large-scale enterprise technology transformation programs.
• Proven experience managing multimillion-dollar transformation initiatives.
• Extensive experience with cloud, infrastructure, digital transformation, and modernization programs.
• Strong executive communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated experience leading globally distributed teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within Financial Services, Insurance, Banking, or Healthcare industries.
• Expertise in cloud platforms such as Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud.
• Experience managing large-scale infrastructure consolidation and migration programs.
• Familiarity with AI, AIOps, automation, and operational transformation initiatives.
• Experience supporting pre-sales, solutioning, and transition-to-delivery activities.

Compensation

We are offering between $140,000 – $160,000. Applications will be accepted until Jul 31, 2026. Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in Canada without requiring employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Disclaimer

The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

*Please note, this role is not able to offer visa transfer or sponsorship now or in the future*

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