System Architect Senior Director

Position Summary:

GS1 develops and maintains the most widely used supply chain standards that are fundamental to numerous enterprises around the world. The best-known symbol of GS1 standards is the barcode, named by the BBC as one of “the 50 things that made the world economy”. Five decades ago, we started by helping food retailers do business more efficiently and reduce consumer prices. Today, GS1 standards improve the efficiency, safety, and visibility of supply chains across physical and digital channels in 25 sectors, including retail omnichannel and e-commerce, healthcare, transport and logistics, food service, technical industries, and humanitarian logistics. Our scale and reach – local Member Organisations (MO) in 118 countries, 2 million user companies, and 10 billion transactions every day – help ensure that GS1 standards create a common language that supports systems and processes across the globe.

Responsibilities:

1.    Standards Integrity & Architecture Leadership
o    Protect and uphold the integrity of the GS1 System, ensuring all architectural decisions, and developments conform to GS1 Architecture Principles.
o    Oversee and guide standards architecture discussions with internal teams (Standards, Public Policy, etc.) and external stakeholders (regulators, industry bodies, trade associations).
2.    Regulated Standards Architect
o    Drive the creation and maintenance of standards that meet regulatory requirements, partnering closely with Public Policy teams to harmonise industry needs, regulatory compliance and GS1 System principles.
o    Evaluate the impact of emerging regulations, and legislation on GS1 standards, advising leadership (LT) and member organisations (MOs) on compliance strategies.
3.    Cross-functional Collaboration & Governance
o    Partner with VP of Standards to address process-related questions, provide architectural guidance and resolve escalations.
o    Coordinate with cross-functional and international teams—including solution providers, regulators, industry leaders and GS1 MOs—to drive consensus on standards development, and to lead our overall strategic engagement with external standards organisations.
o    Ensure appropriate communication channels are maintained so all relevant parties (“who else should know?”) are kept informed.
4.    Programme and Project Management
o    Support essential discussions in large-scale, multi-sector, multi-technology initiatives across diverse regulatory environments.
o    Influence across the organisation to ensure robust project management techniques are used to stage deliverables, mobilise resources, manage dependencies, and address risks proactively.
5.    Global Office GS1 Architecture Group Co-Chair
o    Convene and lead the Architecture Group, setting agendas, guiding discussions, and facilitating decision-making processes.
o    Ensure alignment between technology experts, leadership teams, public policy representatives, and community stakeholders through collaboration.
6.    Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
o    Articulate complex technical, regulatory, and standards-driven concepts in a way that resonates with both expert and non-expert audiences.
o    Challenge assumptions or mischaracterisations in real time to safeguard GS1 System integrity, while maintaining grace and diplomacy.
o    Serve as a key spokesperson for GS1 system architecture in global forums, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.
7.    Policy & Industry Collaboration
o    Work closely with Public Policy leads and external regulatory bodies to ensure GS1 standards align with legal requirements and best practices.
o    Maintain active awareness of other standardisation bodies’ activities and assess potential impacts on GS1 standards.
 

Education/Experience:

•    Academic Qualifications
o    Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field (master’s preferred).
o    Relevant certifications in Systems Architecture or Enterprise Architecture are advantageous.
•    GS1 and Standards Expertise
o    Extensive knowledge of the GS1 System (standards, guidelines, services) and the GS1 community, or the ability to quickly acquire this knowledge.
o    Transversal knowledge of GS1 System standards, technologies, and standards management processes 
o    Experience with regulated standards architecture and development, policy discussions, and multi-dimensional programme steering.
•    Industry & Regulatory Experience
o    Demonstrated track record in managing cross-functional programmes spanning multiple industries, regulations, and technology domains.
o    Familiarity with other standardisation bodies, solution provider environments, their functioning, rules and standards, and how they intersect with GS1.
 

Skills required:

Soft Skills
1.    Communication & Leadership
o    Proven ability to lead large, culturally diverse groups to consensus.
o    Explains complex technical or policy topics as relatable stories, starting from concepts the audience already understands.
o    Fluent in English, oral and written. Fluency in other languages is helpful. 
2.     Advanced Negotiation Abilities
o    Balances conflicting agendas in large, diverse groups, building compromises where possible and rallying opposition where necessary.
3.    Principle-Based Approach
o    Committed to doing the right thing the right way for the right reason.
4.    Mature political sensitivity 
o    Understands and navigates complex and sometimes unpredictable nature of political landscapes. Skilled at saying “no” even to senior leadership or regulators in a respectful, constructive manner.
5.    Holistic Decision-Making
o    Connects political, cultural, technical, standards, policy, and community perspectives to craft responses that resonate broadly.

Hard Skills
1.    Technical & Business Acumen
o    Understands how to develop commercially driven architectures versus open-standard architectures.
o    Knowledge of solution provider environments and how they integrate with GS1 standards and services.
2.    GS1 System Expertise
o    Proficient in GS1 architecture, standards, guidelines, services and operational manual.
3.    Transversal Technical Knowledge
o    Familiar with multiple GS1 System standards and technologies, enabling cross-domain solutions.
4.    Standards Development Process Mastery
o    Deep understanding of Standards Development operational processes, able to address procedural questions and optimisations.
5.    Architectural Strategy
o    Understands and distinguishes between open-standard architectures and commercially driven designs, leveraging each approach effectively.
6.    Public Policy Collaboration
o    Partners with trade associations, end-users, MOs, regulators, and governance groups to refine positions and advocate effectively.
 

Additional Information:

Travel: This job may require up to 10% global travel.

GS1 is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will never unlawfully discriminate on the grounds of race, religion, belief, ethnic origin, colour, nationality, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, age, disability, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, or political opinions.

How to apply:

Send your application with CV to:  jobs@gs1.org 

Responses will be treated quickly and with strict confidentiality.