Role Overview for Director, Enterprise Architecture with a Global Retailer – Phoenix, AZ
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier global retailer in their search for a visionary Director of Enterprise Architecture. Based in their dynamic corporate hub in Phoenix, AZ, this executive leadership role is a career-defining opportunity to shape the technological future of a multi-billion dollar organization.
The Director will serve as the principal architect and strategic technology leader, responsible for defining the enterprise-wide technology vision, strategy, and roadmap that will power the next generation of retail innovation. You will be the central figure in translating complex business strategies into a cohesive and scalable technology architecture, ensuring that every platform, system, and application aligns with the company’s ambitious goals for growth, customer experience, and operational excellence.
Reporting directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), you will lead a high-performing team of solution, data, and infrastructure architects. Your influence will extend across all business units and IT functions, from e-commerce and supply chain to in-store operations and corporate systems. This role demands a unique blend of deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, and exceptional leadership.
You will be tasked with deconstructing legacy systems where necessary, championing modern architectural patterns like microservices and API-first design, and steering the company’s cloud transformation journey. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking leader who can anticipate future technology trends, navigate the complexities of a large-scale enterprise, and inspire a culture of innovation and engineering excellence. You will be the guardian of the company’s technology blueprint, ensuring it is resilient, secure, scalable, and capable of delivering unparalleled value to both customers and the business.
Key Responsibilities of Director, Enterprise Architecture with a Global Retailer – Phoenix, AZ
Strategic Technology Leadership
Develop, own, and evangelize the long-term enterprise architecture vision, strategy, and roadmap. Collaborate with C-suite executives and business leaders to ensure the technology strategy is in lockstep with corporate objectives, market trends, and competitive drivers.
Architecture Governance & Standards
Establish and lead a robust architecture governance framework. Define and enforce architectural principles, standards, and best practices across the organization to ensure consistency, security, and reusability. Chair the Architecture Review Board (ARB) to vet new technology solutions and changes to the existing landscape.
Roadmap and Blueprint Development
Create and maintain comprehensive blueprints of the current and future-state technology landscape. Develop multi-year roadmaps that detail the transition from legacy to modern architectures, prioritizing initiatives based on business value, risk mitigation, and technical feasibility.
Cloud & Platform Strategy
Spearhead the evolution of the company’s cloud strategy, optimizing for a multi-cloud or hybrid-cloud environment (AWS, Azure, GCP). Drive the adoption of cloud-native technologies, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and serverless computing to enhance agility and scalability.
Team Leadership & Mentorship
Lead, mentor, and develop a world-class team of enterprise, solution, and domain architects. Foster a collaborative and innovative environment, empowering your team to solve complex technical challenges and grow their professional capabilities.
Solution Design & Oversight
Provide expert guidance and oversight on the design of major technology solutions, ensuring they are well-architected, secure, scalable, and aligned with the enterprise roadmap. Intervene in critical projects to provide architectural direction and resolve complex technical issues.
Innovation and Emerging Technology
Act as the primary technology scout for the organization. Continuously research, evaluate, and prototype emerging technologies (e.g., AI/ML, IoT, Blockchain) to assess their potential impact and application within the retail context. Champion a culture of experimentation and calculated risk-taking.
Stakeholder Management
Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the business and IT. Communicate complex architectural concepts and decisions in a clear, concise manner to both technical and non-technical audiences, effectively influencing and building consensus.
Security & Compliance Integration
Partner closely with the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) to embed security principles into the core of the enterprise architecture. Ensure all architectural designs and standards comply with regulatory requirements such as PCI-DSS, GDPR, and CCPA.
Vendor and Technology Portfolio Management
Oversee the evaluation and selection of new technology vendors and platforms. Manage the enterprise technology portfolio, identifying opportunities for consolidation, modernization, and cost optimization to maximize the return on technology investments.
Requirements for the Director, Enterprise Architecture with a Global Retailer – Phoenix, AZ
Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree is highly preferred.
Professional Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in Information Technology, with at least 7 years in a senior architecture leadership role (e.g., Principal Architect, Lead Architect, Director of Architecture).
Industry Experience
Significant experience within the retail, e-commerce, or consumer goods industry is mandatory. Deep understanding of retail business processes, including supply chain, merchandising, point-of-sale (POS), and customer relationship management (CRM).
Architecture Framework Expertise
Proven experience and deep knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks, with a strong preference for The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF). Certification is a significant plus.
Technical Acumen
- Expert-level knowledge of cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP), including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models.
- Extensive experience with modern architectural patterns, including microservices, event-driven architecture, API-first design, and domain-driven design.
- Strong understanding of data architecture, including data warehousing, data lakes, master data management (MDM), and analytics platforms.
- Proficiency in enterprise integration patterns, API gateways, and messaging systems (e.g., Kafka, RabbitMQ).
- Solid foundation in cybersecurity principles and designing secure, resilient systems.
Leadership Skills
Demonstrated experience leading, managing, and mentoring a team of senior architects. Proven ability to influence without direct authority and drive change in a large, complex organization.
Strategic & Business Acumen
Ability to think strategically, connect technology with measurable business value, and articulate a compelling vision. Experience developing business cases for large-scale technology investments.
Communication Skills
Exceptional verbal, written, and presentation skills. Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of audiences, from engineers to C-level executives.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to investing in its people and offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. This includes:
Competitive Compensation
A highly competitive base salary, annual performance-based bonus, and long-term incentives.
Comprehensive Health Coverage
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents.
Retirement Savings
A robust 401(k) plan with a generous company match to help you plan for your future.
Generous Paid Time Off
A flexible and generous paid time off (PTO) policy, including vacation, sick days, and company holidays.
Professional Development
A dedicated budget for continuous learning, including certifications, conferences, and training to keep you at the forefront of technology.
Employee Discounts
Significant discounts on company products and services.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for qualified candidates.
Work-Life Balance
A supportive work environment that values work-life balance, with hybrid work options available.
How to Apply
This is a confidential search being conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. If you are a transformational technology leader with a passion for retail and a track record of architectural excellence, we invite you to apply. To be considered for this pivotal role, please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest.
For more information or to explore other opportunities, we encourage you to connect with JRG Partners’ Information Technology practice, a leader in connecting top-tier tech talent with exceptional companies. We look forward to reviewing your application.
