Director / Distinguished Architect – Enterprise Content Modernization

Title: Director / Distinguished Architect – Enterprise Content Modernization
Location : Remote
Target Start Date : March 3rd, 2026
Type: Contract- 3 Year engagement

Core Mission

Own and lead a multi-year, enterprise file share rationalization and modernization program—balancing governance, change, and pragmatism—while moving a highly federated organization from decades of unmanaged file sprawl into a secure, searchable, Microsoft-native content ecosystem without disrupting the business.

Experience Profile (Non-Negotiable)

Depth & Scale

• 20 years in enterprise IT, with 10 years leading large-scale data/content transformations.
• Proven leadership of multi-year file share or ECM modernization programs (>50TB, >1,000 shares, or >10M files).
• Experience in highly regulated industries (insurance, financial services, healthcare).
• Direct experience working in federated or decentralized orgs (50–100 BUs with different operating models).

Microsoft Ecosystem Mastery

This person must deeply understand—not just name-drop:

• SharePoint Online (modern architecture, not lift-and-shift)
• OneDrive (personal vs business boundaries)
• Microsoft Teams (content sprawl implications)
• Purview (Information Protection, DLP, Records, eDiscovery)
• Azure AD / Entra ID (permissions, identity sprawl)
• Microsoft Search (enterprise search strategy & tuning)
• Power Platform (for lightweight metadata, intake, workflows)

They know when NOT to use SharePoint as well.

Technical & Architectural Authority

Content Strategy & Information Architecture

• Designs enterprise taxonomy metadata models that allow:
  • BU-level flexibility
  • Enterprise-level search and compliance
• Knows how to rationalize:
  • Departmental shares
  • Home drives
  • Application-generated content
• Deep understanding of unstructured data lifecycles (create → collaborate → retain → dispose).

Migration & Rationalization Approach

• Does not advocate "move everything.”
• Builds decision frameworks:
  • What migrates
  • What archives
  • What deletes
  • What stays put
• Comfortable using and governing tools like:
  • ShareGate
  • AvePoint
  • Quest
  • Microsoft native migration tooling
• Knows how to run incremental pilots, not big-bang moves.

Leadership & Operating Model Strength

Enterprise Influence

• Can credibly sit with:
  • CIO / CISO
  • Legal & Compliance
  • BU Presidents
  • Risk Officers
• Translates technical tradeoffs into business risk language.
• Knows how to say "no” diplomatically—and when to compromise.

Change & Adoption Mastery

• Recognizes that this is a change program, not a migration project.
• Designs:
  • BU-specific engagement models
  • Champions networks
  • "Minimum viable governance” frameworks
• Anticipates resistance and plans around it.

Execution Style (This Is Critical)

This person:

• Is hands-on, even at seniority:
  • Reviews sample file structures personally
  • Joins discovery workshops
  • Pressure-tests assumptions
• Is pragmatic, not dogmatic.
• Thinks in 5–10 yard gains, not "transformation theater.”
• Knows that enterprise consistency is aspirational, not absolute.
• Builds momentum through early wins with the right pilot BU.

They are comfortable with ambiguity and don't need perfect data to start.

Program & Delivery Skills

• Can structure a 3–5 year roadmap with clear phases:
  1. Discovery & classification
  2. Pilot migrations
  3. Governance & standards
  4. Enterprise rollout
  5. Optimization & automation
• Sets realistic expectations on:

• • Cost
  • Time
  • Business disruption

• Manages blended teams:

• • Internal IT
  • Business stakeholders
  • Systems integrators
  • Tool vendors

What They Are Not

• Not a pure SharePoint admin
• Not a migration tool operator
• Not a theoretical enterprise architect
• Not a "lift-and-shift everything” evangelist

Soft Skills That Actually Matter

• Calm under pressure
• Low ego, high accountability
• Exceptional listener
• Willing to get into uncomfortable conversations
• Trusted advisor energy—not salesy, not academic

Bottom Line

This role requires a battle-tested enterprise content leader, not a technologist chasing tools. The right person has lived through failed migrations, understands organizational politics, and knows how to quietly win trust across dozens of business units.

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