Role Overview for SVP, Enterprise Architecture with a National Insurer – Chicago, IL
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, nationally recognized insurance provider in their search for a transformative Senior Vice President (SVP) of Enterprise Architecture. Based in the vibrant city of Chicago, IL, this executive leadership role is a career-defining opportunity to shape the technological future of an industry leader. Our client is at a pivotal point in its journey, committed to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, and drive sustainable growth. The SVP of Enterprise Architecture will be the central figure in this transformation, serving as the chief architect and strategic visionary for the entire organization.
This is not merely a technical leadership role; it is a strategic business position. You will report directly to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and work closely with the C-suite, including the CEO, CIO, and business unit leaders, to ensure that the technology architecture is a powerful enabler of the company’s strategic objectives. You will be responsible for translating business vision into a tangible technology roadmap, decommissioning legacy systems, championing the adoption of modern platforms, and fostering a culture of innovation and architectural excellence.
The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with a deep understanding of the insurance industry, a passion for technology, and a proven ability to influence and lead large-scale change in a complex enterprise environment. You will inherit and build upon a talented team of architects, providing them with the mentorship, vision, and guidance needed to excel. If you are a strategic thinker with the technical depth and executive presence to redefine what’s possible in the insurance technology landscape, we invite you to explore this exceptional opportunity.
Key Responsibilities of SVP, Enterprise Architecture with a National Insurer – Chicago, IL
The SVP, Enterprise Architecture will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, acting as the primary authority on the organization’s technology blueprint. Success in this role will be measured by the creation of a cohesive, scalable, and forward-looking architecture that drives business value.
Strategic Vision & Roadmap Development
Collaborate with executive leadership to define and communicate the enterprise architecture vision, strategy, and multi-year roadmap. Ensure tight alignment with corporate strategy, business goals, and market trends. Lead the evaluation and selection of foundational technologies and platforms.
Executive Leadership & Team Mentorship
Lead, inspire, and manage a high-performing team of domain architects (e.g., application, data, infrastructure, security). Foster a collaborative, innovative, and results-oriented culture. Be responsible for talent acquisition, performance management, and career development within the architecture function.
Architecture Governance & Standards
Establish and enforce a comprehensive enterprise architecture governance framework, including principles, policies, standards, and review processes. Chair the Architecture Review Board (ARB) to ensure all new solutions and significant changes align with the target state architecture.
Digital Transformation & Modernization
Spearhead the modernization of the company’s technology portfolio. Drive the strategic migration from monolithic legacy systems to a flexible, scalable, and resilient architecture based on cloud-native principles, microservices, and APIs.
Innovation and Emerging Technology
Act as the organization’s technology evangelist, continuously scanning the horizon for emerging trends and technologies (e.g., AI/ML, Insurtech, IoT, Blockchain). Assess their potential impact and champion proof-of-concept initiatives to determine their viability and business value.
Stakeholder Collaboration & Influence
Build strong, collaborative relationships with business and IT leaders across the organization. Serve as a trusted advisor, effectively communicating complex architectural concepts and their business implications to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Solution Architecture Oversight
Provide high-level guidance and oversight for the architecture of critical, enterprise-wide projects. Ensure that solutions are designed for security, scalability, performance, and maintainability from the outset.
Financial & Portfolio Management
Partner with finance and IT leadership to manage the technology portfolio, optimize IT investments, and develop business cases for major architectural initiatives. Ensure that architectural decisions are financially sound and deliver a clear return on investment.
Requirements for the SVP, Enterprise Architecture with a National Insurer – Chicago, IL
We are seeking a distinguished leader with a blend of deep technical expertise, strategic business acumen, and exceptional leadership skills. The qualifications below are representative of the experience and capabilities required for this executive role.
Executive Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in information technology, with at least 8-10 years in a senior architecture leadership role (e.g., VP of Architecture, Chief Architect) within a large, complex organization.
Industry Domain Knowledge
Significant experience within the insurance (P&C, Life, Health) or financial services industry is strongly required. A deep understanding of core insurance processes (e.g., underwriting, policy administration, claims, billing) is essential.
Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field is required. A Master’s degree or MBA is highly preferred.
Technical Breadth and Depth
Expert-level knowledge across multiple architectural domains, including cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), data architecture (data lakes, warehousing, analytics), application modernization, integration patterns (API-led, event-driven), and security architecture.
Strategic Leadership & Influence
Proven ability to develop and execute technology strategy that aligns with business goals. Demonstrable experience influencing and gaining consensus from C-level executives, board members, and senior business partners. Exceptional communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Transformational Experience
A track record of successfully leading large-scale technology transformation programs, including legacy modernization and cloud migration initiatives.
Architectural Frameworks
Deep familiarity with enterprise architecture frameworks and methodologies. Certifications such as TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) are highly valued.
Team Building
Demonstrated success in recruiting, building, and mentoring world-class architecture teams. A passion for developing talent and fostering an inclusive, high-performance culture.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client believes in investing in their people and offers a comprehensive, executive-level compensation and benefits package designed to attract and retain top talent. You can expect:
Executive Compensation Package
A highly competitive base salary, a significant annual performance-based bonus, and a generous long-term incentive plan (LTIP) to reward your strategic contributions.
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents. The package includes robust wellness programs, mental health resources, and fitness subsidies.
Retirement & Financial Planning
A market-leading 401(k) retirement plan with a substantial company match, along with access to financial planning services.
Generous Time Off
A flexible and generous paid time off (PTO) policy, supplemented by numerous company-paid holidays, to support a healthy work-life balance.
Professional Growth
A dedicated budget for continuous learning, including executive coaching, industry conferences, and advanced certifications to support your professional development.
Relocation Assistance
A comprehensive relocation package is available for exceptional candidates moving to the Chicago area.
Work Environment
A state-of-the-art office located in the heart of Chicago, offering a hybrid work model that combines in-office collaboration with remote flexibility.
How to Apply
This is a retained search being conducted exclusively by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary technology leader ready to make a lasting impact on a leading national insurer, we encourage you to apply. Your expertise and leadership can define the next chapter of this organization’s success.
To express your interest, please submit your resume and a cover letter for confidential consideration. For more information or to explore other executive opportunities, please visit JRG Partners’ Technology Officers practice area. We look forward to connecting with you.
