API Strategist

Job Description

A dynamic leader with 18+ years of industry experience, experienced in API Strategy who can lead and drive the adoption of our API ecosystem across both internal and external stakeholders. Plays an important role in developing and executing a comprehensive API strategy to foster an integrated & innovative environment. The role is expected to define API roadmaps, be an advocate for API-first approaches, and ensuring seamless collaboration with business units, development teams & external partners. Additionally, the role to play an important part in supporting mergers and acquisitions (M&A) by assessing and integrating external API systems, ensuring smooth transitions and synergies with the company’s API ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities:

API Strategy Development & Execution:

Define, implement, and evolve the organization’s API strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and technological goals
Drive the adoption of APIs across the enterprise by promoting API-first methodologies, enhancing business value, and creating new revenue opportunities.
Identify key market trends, competitor API offerings, and emerging technologies to maintain a competitive edge.

Stakeholder Management & Advocacy:

Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders (product teams, engineering, marketing, etc.) and external stakeholders (partners, customers, vendors) to champion the API ecosystem
Educate and persuade internal teams on the benefits and potential of APIs to support business transformation and digital initiatives
Present and communicate the business value of APIs to leadership, technical teams, and non-technical stakeholders, fostering engagement and buy-in.

API Ecosystem Management:

Develop and maintain a comprehensive view of the company’s API ecosystem, ensuring APIs are secure, scalable, and effectively utilized
Identify, prioritize, and manage the API portfolio to drive business objectives while ensuring API quality and consistency across the organization
Oversee the implementation of API governance policies, monitoring API health, and ensuring proper documentation, security, and compliance

API Roadmap Leadership:

Lead the creation, execution, and continuous improvement of the API roadmap, ensuring alignment with the organization’s strategic goals and timelines
Drive cross-functional collaboration in the execution of the roadmap, working closely with engineering, product, and business teams
Ensure the API roadmap accounts for long-term scalability, innovation, and flexibility to meet evolving business needs

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Support:

Collaborate with M&A teams to assess the API strategies and ecosystems of potential acquisition targets.
Lead the integration of acquired companies’ APIs into the organization’s existing API ecosystem, ensuring seamless interoperability, security, and scalability
Support post-merger API-related activities, including the alignment of technical strategies, business objectives, and operational processes

Monitoring & Metrics:

Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for the API program and regularly report on progress, adoption rates, and return on investment
Analyze feedback from internal and external users to iteratively improve API offerings and align with business objectives

Skills:

Technical Skills:

Strong understanding of API technologies, architecture (REST, GraphQL, RESTful, SOAP), API management platforms, and integrations
Familiarity with API security, authentication mechanisms, and industry standards
A knowledge of IBM APIConnect and any other APIM products is a plus

Leadership & Communication:

Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and inspire stakeholders at all levels
Ability to articulate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities with a focus on business value

Other Skills:

Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and execute on long-term goals
Familiarity with Agile methodologies and cross-functional collaboration
Strong business acumen and the ability to understand the needs of both internal and external customers