Salesforce Architect

$145,000 - $150,000/Yr

Harvard University - Boston, MA

Full-time - Mid Level

Hybrid - Boston, MA

Educational Services

About the position

The Salesforce Architect at Harvard Business School (HBS) plays a pivotal role in the evolution of a state-of-the-art Customer Relationship Management (CRM) architecture that is user-friendly, cost-effective, and strategically aligned with the institution's goals. This position is integral to driving the overall CRM transformation at HBS, which includes evaluating the current state of technology, understanding the needs within HBS IT, and identifying opportunities to align with other Harvard institutions and initiatives, particularly in the context of Digital Transformation. As HBS continues to grow its hybrid and multi-cloud environment, the Salesforce Architect will lead the technical design of large-scale CRM initiatives, ensuring that Salesforce solutions align with business objectives and deliver exceptional value to the organization. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience with Salesforce architectures, products, and services across various environments, including on-premises, cloud, hybrid, and multi-cloud. This role requires strong leadership skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams. The Salesforce Architect will oversee multiple instances of Salesforce, manage the technical health of these systems, and ensure optimal performance, scalability, and security. Additionally, the architect will establish and enforce best practices, provide technical oversight to development teams, and communicate effectively with stakeholders to keep them informed about project progress and risks. In this hybrid position, the Salesforce Architect will be expected to work on-site at the Boston campus at least three days a week, with specific hours and days determined by business needs. The role may also require additional support outside of regular hours, including early mornings, nights, weekends, and holiday breaks, as well as participation in a 24/7 rotation to address major technical issues as they arise.

Responsibilities

• Lead long term strategic planning and actively contribute to the CRM enterprise-wide initiatives
• Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into effective Salesforce solutions that align with organizational goals
• Lead the technical design and architecture of CRM initiatives, including data modeling, integration strategies, and custom development
• Design and implement integration solutions between Salesforce and other enterprise systems, ensuring seamless data flow and interoperability
• Customize Salesforce applications to meet specific business needs
• Manage and oversee the technical health of several Salesforce instances, ensuring optimal performance, scalability, and security
• Establish and enforce Salesforce best practices, standards, and guidelines to ensure high-quality deliverables
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to development teams, administrators and other team members, ensuring adherence to architectural principles and project timelines
• Direct and oversee development of technical solutions to deliver business requirements
• Ensure the quality and performance of Salesforce solutions through thorough testing, code reviews, and performance tuning
• Provide decision-making inputs on major project costs, timetable, resources, and technologies
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders, including product and service owners, providing regular updates on project progress, risks, and issues
• Act as the highest level of escalation for Salesforce-related issues, providing expert troubleshooting and support
• Stay updated with Salesforce advancements and industry trends, recommending and implementing continuous improvements to the Salesforce ecosystem
• Complete other responsibilities as assigned

Requirements

• Minimum of seven years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience
• Experience in Salesforce architecture and implementation roles
• A proven track record of managing multiple Salesforce instances and leading large-scale CRM initiatives
• Proficiency in Salesforce architecture and design patterns
• Strong understanding of Salesforce platform capabilities, including Sales Cloud, Service Cloud, and Marketing Cloud
• Experience with Salesforce integration tools (e.g., MuleSoft, Informatica) and APIs
• Knowledge of Salesforce development technologies (Apex, Visualforce, Lightning Components)
• Familiarity with data modeling, ETL processes, and database management
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor technical teams, manage multiple projects, and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders

Nice-to-haves

• Salesforce Certification: Technical Architect, Application Architect, System Architect and/or Integration Architect

Benefits

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff)
• 12 accrued sick days per year
• 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January
• 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire)
• Up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary caregivers
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
• Disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits
• Child and elder/adult care resources including on-campus childcare centers
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more
• University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation
• Tuition Assistance Program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School
• Tuition Reimbursement Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses
• Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning
• Various commuter options including discounted parking and half-priced public transportation passes
• Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more
• Discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston