Job Summary
IT Solution Architect — SAP Group Reporting & Finance Cloud
About the Program
Zurich Insurance Group is replacing its end-of-life SEM-BCS consolidation platform with SAP Group Reporting Public Cloud — a strategic, AI-first transformation of the Group Finance function delivered using SAP Activate methodology.
This role is Zurich's client-side technical architect, embedded in Zurich's project governance. The person holds the target architecture, challenges the SI on Zurich's behalf, and ensures all design decisions serve Zurich's long-term interests beyond the current engagement.
Solution Components in Scope
Core consolidation: SAP Group Reporting Public Cloud, SAP GRDC, ICMR (Intercompany), Embedded Analytics
Integration platform: SAP BTP (CPI), Cloud Connector, SAP BTP IAS/IPS, SAP S/4HANA (GFC)
Analytics & reporting: SAP BDC (Business Data Cloud), Databricks
Operations & governance: SAP CALM, Transport Management, Security / SoD Design, Monitoring Framework, Zurich Network Integration
Key Responsibilities
Solution Architecture
- Define and own the end-to-end target architecture across all solution components
- Enable Technical Teams to build the environment
- Author Architecture Decision Records (ADRs) for all major design choices
- Align Key Design Decisions amongst Stakeholders
- Align with AI experts to embedd AI into the Solution Delivery
Integration Design
- Design inbound flows: SAP S/4HANA (ZNA, Farmers, Turkey) via API to GRDC; non-SAP sources via GRDC input forms
- Design outbound flows: SAP GR to BDC, SAP GR to Databricks, SAP GR to Workiva
- Govern SAP BTP CPI pipeline design, Cloud Connector topology, and API patterns
- Define communication arrangements and disclosure data scope for external systems
Security Architecture
- Ensure all configurations comply with Zurich's cybersecurity policies and compliance standards
Resilience & Monitoring
- Design the monitoring architecture: alerting, SLA thresholds, operational dashboards for all interfaces
- Define the hypercare monitoring model and error resolution procedures
- Produce operational handover architecture — run-book inputs and steady-state data flows
SAP CALM & Landscape Management
- Define ALM tooling setup and landscape management approach
- Govern transport strategy and release management across all environments (dev / test / UAT / production)
- Integrate with SAP CALM for change tracking, impact analysis, and deployment control
Configuration Governance
- Govern SAP Datasphere replication flow design for outbound analytics
Skill Requirements
Mandatory
- SAP Group Reporting hands-on configuration — GR Public Cloud or deep SEM-BCS with documented GR transition knowledge
- SAP GRDC — data mapping, input form configuration, source-to-target mapping design
- SAP BTP in practice — CPI integration flows, Cloud Connector, IAS/IPS provisioning; able to validate at technical specification level, not design only
- Integration architecture across SAP and non-SAP systems; API-based and file-based patterns
- Security-by-design: SAP authorization concept, SoD, BTP security model
- Architecture documentation produced independently to Steering Committee quality: ADRs, solution design documents, integration specifications
- Finance domain: group consolidation concepts (IFRS, GAAP hierarchies, intercompany elimination, Chart of Accounts) — sufficient to challenge both business and SI
Strongly Preferred
- SAP BDC (Business Data Cloud) and/or SAP Datasphere integration experience
- Databricks integration for outbound analytics from SAP
- Workiva or equivalent disclosure management tool integration
- SAP CALM hands-on configuration and transport management
- SAP Activate methodology
- Financial services or insurance industry background
- English fluent; German advantageous for Zurich stakeholder interactions