Business Platform Architect (Johannesburg)

Job description

The Business Platform Architect is responsible for designing, integrating, and governing Primedia’s commercial and data technology ecosystem, ensuring seamless connectivity across platforms, scalability of digital products, and the enablement of data-led revenue generation.
The role acts as the strategic bridge between business, data, and technology, translating commercial requirements into robust, scalable platform architecture that underpins Primedia’s evolution into a fully integrated audio-video-digital marketplace.
In a lean environment, the role remains actively hands-on in execution to accelerate delivery, resolve complex platform and data challenges, and ensure commercial outcomes are realised.

Platform architecture and integration:

• Design and implement a unified platform architecture that connects commercial, content, and data systems across Primedia
• Deliver seamless integration across Aqura, MAM, VideoCloud, OMNI, ad tech, and sales platforms
• Establish scalable API frameworks and integration standards
• Eliminate system silos and enable end-to-end workflow connectivity
• Drive measurable improvements in system interoperability, efficiency, and scalability

Data and business intelligence enablement:

• Lead Azure Data Lake architecture and implementation
• Own the Power BI ecosystem (data models, dashboards, governance)
• Enable real-time reporting and advanced analytics for commercial teams
• Improve data accessibility and decision-making across exco and sales
• Establish and maintain a single source of truth through strong data governance practices

Commercial platform and revenue enablement:

• Architect and enable programmatic buying capability (including traditional airtime)
• Lead and enable the development of self-service buying platforms (Aqura / P-FLEX alignment)
• Enable digital, AVOD, and FAST monetisation workflows
• Drive improved speed to market and commercial agility through platform capabilities
• Ensure platforms directly support revenue growth, client experience, and sales efficiency

Cloud infrastructure and technology optimisation:

• Oversee AWS environment optimisation and continuous improvement
• Align AWS and Azure environments into a cohesive hybrid architecture
• Improve system performance, cost efficiency, and reliability
• Ensure platforms are built for scalability, resilience, and future expansion
• Drive optimisation of cloud spend relative to performance and business value

Governance, delivery and stakeholder alignment:

• Establish platform governance, standards, and best practices
• Coordinate across tech, commercial, digital, studios, and external vendors
• Ensure delivery against key milestones (e.g. CTV rollout timelines)
• Provide clear reporting on progress, risks, and delivery outcomes
• Drive accountability and alignment across stakeholders to ensure successful platform adoption and delivery

Minimum required qualification:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, engineering, data science, or a related field

Qualifications considered advantageous:

• Postgraduate qualification (e.g. honours / master’s) in data, technology, or business architecture
• Cloud certifications (e.g. AWS, Azure)
• Exposure to architecture frameworks (e.g. TOGAF or similar)
• Advanced data and analytics platform experience (e.g. Power BI, data lakes, BI ecosystems)

Minimum years of experience:

• 8–10 years’ experience in enterprise architecture, platform engineering, or data ecosystems, with exposure to commercial or revenue-driven environments
• Proven experience bridging business and technology within digital, media, or platform-based organisations
• Demonstrated leadership in driving platform, data, or systems transformation initiatives

Additional role requirements:

• Proven experience in designing and implementing systems architecture, platform engineering, or enterprise architecture
• Experience working with data and analytics environments (BI, data warehousing, data lakes), including data governance and single source of truth principles
• Proven experience in integrating multiple platforms via APIs and establishing integration frameworks
• Experience working with cloud environments (AWS, Azure) and hybrid architecture models
• Strong understanding of how technology platforms enable revenue generation, commercial operations, and monetisation models
• Experience working in media, broadcasting, AdTech, or digital platform environments – strong advantage
• Demonstrated exposure to programmatic advertising ecosystems and/or digital ad-serving environments
• Ability to operate in a lean, delivery-focused environment, balancing strategic design with hands-on execution
• Strong leadership and influencing capability, with the ability to mentor and align cross-functional teams and external partners