One of the most unique facets of large companies is the enterprise architect; the person who finds ways to align information technology with the specific business strategies of that company. This special position requires extensive knowledge of both business strategy and the IT realm.
Most employers look for an MBA, along with certification and training in the latest IT trends. Experience is also a major quality employers look for, and a decade or more of hands-on business or IT employment can sometimes trump education. Only a person with a deep understanding of a business’ specific needs, coupled with computing skills, can compete for this job
Communication skills are equally important, as the enterprise architect must work directly with executives as well as tech staff. Often, this position is promoted from within a company. The salaries are exceptional and based completely on a person’s skills and perceived value. Starting at around £80,000 per year, these positions are often the highest paid among IT staff.

Enterprise Architects may control methods and ways organisations invest in technologies in order to have state of the art procedures. They work with stakeholders issue their reports to the Chief Information Officer. Enterprise Architects use their knowledge to make sure the IT and company are in the same path, by linking processes, strategy and business mission. They can anticipate future need and meet specific requirements for those cases.

An Enterprise Architect does the following tasks:
• Aligning planning processes and IT with company’s goals.
• Promoting shared applications and infrastructure to reduce costs.
• Managing risks related to IT and information assets.
• Building employee skills and knowledge in some areas.
• Teaming up with business analysts to ensure strategies related to IT fits with company requirements.

• Being able to explain complex issues to people inexperienced people.
• Having suitable time prioritisation and management.
• Having customer service orientation.
• Having emotional intelligence.
• Being a leader to motivate others.
• Being proactive and ambitious.
• Having competent written and spoken communication.
• Having stakeholder management skills.
• Being able to empathise with other points of view.
• Being able to deliver reports within agreed timelines.
• Having stress resistant abilities.

Enterprise Architecture is a not an entry level career, so there is a need to have ten to fifteen years of experience related to management and technology. Having a background experience as a technical lead of major implementation in a global company is an excellent preparation to have a job placement in this area.

A good way to have a job in this area is to have a Technical undergraduate degree with a post graduate business qualification. Another choice is to have a degree related to Social Science, Computer Science, Business or equivalent experience working in other projects. It is common to see people with more academic qualifications working as a enterprise architects.