Solutions Architect

Solutions Architect Resume
Carlos M. Saraiva
Solutions Architect | Senior Data Analyst

Contact Information

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/carlos-m-saraiva

 

I’m Carlos Saraiva, a Solutions Architect with a foundation in systems architecture and enterprise-level solution design. I’ve spent over two decades refining my ability to balance technical requirements with human-centered design, ensuring that systems I build not only meet business goals but are scalable, secure, and intuitive. My career has spanned UX/UI design, data management, and custom systems implementations for industries ranging from advertising to social development, helping organizations integrate seamless, future-proof systems.

Profile

As an experienced Solutions Architect, I specialise in creating scalable, efficient, and secure systems that integrate technical performance with business strategy. My approach to Solutions Architecture stems from understanding both user requirements and technical constraints, allowing me to design robust systems adaptable to future needs. I have a strong background in Systems Architecture, database management, and enterprise solutions, including load balancing and relational database design, ensuring optimal performance and availability. I seamlessly blend my expertise in data management, automation, and user experience design to deliver comprehensive solutions aligned with business goals.

Skills

•Solutions Architecture: Scalable system design, enterprise solutions, cloud integrations, load balancing.

•Systems Design & Data Management: Relational database design (SQL), data normalization, data flow automation.

•Business Intelligence & Reporting: Power BI, Tableau, advanced data storytelling, real-time dashboards.

•Web Development & Automation: WordPress, SharePoint, Zapier, API integrations.

•Systems Administration: Microsoft 365 Admin, server monitoring, load balancing, data security.

Professional Experience

Senior Monitoring & Evaluation Analyst
Hope and Homes for Children – Johannesburg, South Africa
Dec 2021 – Jun 2024

Project: Performance Management and M&E System for Care Reform Programs

Designed and implemented an M&E system to track care reform projects across multiple regions in South Africa. I developed performance dashboards integrated with Power BI and Tableau, ensuring real-time monitoring and data analysis for key indicators.

•Developed a data aggregation system that streamlined the collection of key program metrics, enabling data-driven decisions at all organizational levels.

•Managed data integration from multiple sources into SQL-based backends, ensuring data accuracy, version control, and compliance with safeguarding policies.

•Architected secure systems for data access, implementing role-based access control and automating data validation workflows.

Relevant Skills:

•Solutions Architecture: Created a secure data aggregation and reporting framework for large-scale, multi-site projects.

•Data Management: Integrated complex data sources into centralized SQL databases and automated data cleansing.

•Systems Administration: Managed server configurations, load balancing, and data optimization across multiple M&E systems.

UX / System Design – Contractor

Johannesburg, South Africa

Jan 2018 – Nov 2021

Project 1: LGBTQIA+ Activism Conference Platform

Designed a secure platform for a high-traffic international conference. I focused on security, scalability, and seamless integration, ensuring smooth user experience during peak times.

•Implemented a cloud-based system with advanced data encryption and role-based access control.

•Integrated backend processes for real-time data collection and reporting, ensuring data integrity and security.

Project 2: University of Johannesburg Rural Education CMS

Developed a CMS for rural education research, which allowed streamlined data entry and document management.

•Architected the system to store structured research data and manage access to content across teams.

•Integrated relational database models to track research outputs.

Project 3: Safety Institute Digital Magazine Transition

Transitioned South Africa’s first safety institute from print to a digital magazine, incorporating a content management system with analytics for user tracking and SEO.

•Developed a mailing list management system that automated the sending of newsletters to thousands of subscribers.

•Integrated social media promotion with Google Analytics and SEO tracking to monitor audience engagement.

Relevant Skills:

•Solutions Architecture: Created cloud-based, scalable systems with strong data security and seamless integration.

•Data Management: Designed and optimized relational databases for content management and user tracking.

•Systems Administration: Automated content distribution and analytics reporting with Zapier and SharePoint integration.

Freelance Web Developer / UX Designer
Johannesburg, South Africa
Jul 2015 – Jan 2018

Project 1: Institute of Safety Management Membership Site
Developed a secure membership site that allowed safety professionals to access content, manage subscriptions, and participate in discussions.

•Architected a secure login system and integrated e-commerce functionality for paid memberships.

•Managed backend data flows and subscription analytics.

Project 2: Online Book Publication Platform
Designed a platform to support community engagement for an author’s book launch, focusing on membership site development.

•Designed user interfaces and managed database configurations to optimize user interactions and engagement.

Project 3: Web-Based Training Platform

Created a training platform with interactive quizzes and real-time performance tracking.

•Integrated backend reporting tools to provide insights into user progress and engagement.

Relevant Skills:

•Solutions Architecture: Implemented secure systems with user authentication, payment processing, and content management.

•Data Management: Designed normalized databases to support membership and user analytics.

•Systems Integration: Connected external systems with custom API integrations for seamless operation.

Web Operations Manager
Information Technology Solutions (Pty) Ltd – Johannesburg, South Africa / Bogota, Colombia / Rwanda, Cameroon
Jan 2006 – Jul 2015

Project 1: Grey Advertising Intranet & Extranet System

Developed an intranet for Grey Advertising’s creative teams and an extranet for clients like Heineken, focusing on real-time document collaboration and performance tracking.

•Solutions Architecture: Integrated document libraries and data flow between SharePoint systems, allowing real-time campaign management across multiple regions.

Project 2: Briefing & Timesheet Systems

Architected workflow and timesheet systems for major advertising clients like McCann Erickson and Network#BBDO. These systems tracked project briefs, resource allocation, and campaign budgets.

•Database Design: Created SQL-based systems to store production briefs and media campaign data. The system also generated reports to track project costs and timelines.

Skills & Technologies:

•Solutions Architecture: SharePoint integration, database schema design, and content management.

•Business Intelligence: Reporting  dashboards for campaign performance and cost-tracking.

Internships: Information Design
Grey Advertising & Struik Publishing
Jan 2004 – Jun 2005

Ad of the Month Voting System (Grey Advertising)
Designed and implemented a .NET-based backend with a Flash frontend for an internal voting system, integrated with SQL databases for secure data handling.

Marketing Data Sheets Automation (Struik Publishing)
Proposed a system to automate book marketing data sheets, cataloging book covers and product details in a centralized database for automated report generation.

System Administrator/Analyst
Information Technology Solutions (Pty) Ltd – Cape Town/Johannesburg, South Africa
2000/01 – 2005/01

•Developed an Ogilvy Africa-wide extranet web application, integrating a Brand Bible and a FileMaker implementation.

•Created a web-based timesheet application for Ogilvy and Mather and Grey Advertising, supporting efficient time tracking and reporting.

•Contributed to business proposals, project plans, and the deployment of custom technical solutions tailored to client needs.

Junior Designer/Technician
Grey Advertising – Johannesburg, South Africa
1996/01 – 2000/01

•Managed the introduction of internet services for over 400 users, providing technical setup and support.

•Apprenticed under the creative director, producing internet banners for ABSA Bank, website designs for clients like GlaxoSmithKline and John Deere, and animations for Rand Merchant Bank.

•Designed internal projects, including the Digital Newsletter and Corporate Intranet, streamlining internal communication and collaboration.

Education

BA Hons in Information Design

University of Pretoria – 2001 – 2005

• Distinction in Marketing

National Senior Certificate

National School of the Arts – 1997 – 1999

• Distinction in Graphic Design

Core Values

•Human-Centered Solutions: Designing user-friendly systems that balance technical performance with business objectives.

• Integrity: Ensuring clean, reliable data flow through robust database design and secure management.

•Collaborative Approach: Working closely with diverse teams to deliver high-quality, scalable solutions.

References
Available upon request.