Role Overview for VP, Enterprise Architecture with a Major Insurer – Chicago, IL
JRG Partners is proud to partner with a premier, industry-leading insurance provider in their search for a visionary and transformative Vice President of Enterprise Architecture. Based in the vibrant heart of Chicago, IL, this executive leadership role is a career-defining opportunity to shape the technological future of a multi-billion dollar organization. Our client is at a pivotal moment in its history, embarking on an ambitious digital transformation journey to enhance customer experiences, optimize operations, and solidify its market leadership for decades to come. The VP of Enterprise Architecture will be the central figure in this evolution, acting as the primary bridge between executive business strategy and scalable, secure, and innovative technology execution.
In this capacity, you will report directly to the Chief Technology Officer and will be entrusted with the monumental task of architecting the future. You will inherit a complex technological landscape and be empowered to redefine it, moving the organization from legacy systems to a modern, cloud-native, and data-driven ecosystem. This is not merely a technical role; it is a strategic business imperative. You will be a key advisor to the C-suite, translating complex architectural concepts into tangible business value and competitive advantages. You will lead a dedicated team of enterprise, solution, and domain architects, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and forward-thinking innovation. The ideal candidate is a seasoned leader with a profound understanding of the insurance industry’s unique challenges and opportunities, from regulatory compliance and risk management to the intricacies of policy administration, underwriting, and claims processing. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for technology and a proven track record of driving large-scale transformation within a complex financial services environment, we invite you to explore this exceptional opportunity.
Key Responsibilities of VP, Enterprise Architecture with a Major Insurer – Chicago, IL
The Vice President of Enterprise Architecture will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, encompassing strategic planning, governance, technology leadership, and team development. Success in this role will be measured by your ability to create a cohesive, agile, and future-proof technology foundation that enables business growth and innovation.
Strategic Architectural Vision and Roadmap
Develop, articulate, and champion a comprehensive enterprise architecture vision and multi-year roadmap that is intrinsically aligned with the company’s strategic business objectives. Proactively identify and propose emerging technologies and architectural patterns that can create new business opportunities and competitive differentiation in the insurance market.
Architecture Governance and Standards
Establish and preside over a robust architecture governance framework, including the formation and leadership of an Architectural Review Board (ARB). Define, document, and enforce architectural principles, standards, policies, and best practices across the entire organization to ensure consistency, security, and reusability.
Technology Modernization and Transformation
Spearhead the strategic modernization of the company’s core technology platforms. Lead the migration from monolithic, on-premise legacy systems to a modern architecture based on microservices, APIs, and cloud-native services (AWS, Azure). Drive the adoption of DevOps, CI/CD, and agile methodologies to accelerate delivery and improve quality.
Domain Architecture Leadership
Provide expert guidance and oversight across all architectural domains, including Application, Data, Infrastructure, and Security. Collaborate with domain architects to ensure that solutions for policy administration, claims management, underwriting, billing, and customer portals are cohesive and well-integrated.
Data and Analytics Strategy
Partner with the Chief Data Officer to define and implement an enterprise data architecture strategy. Champion initiatives related to data governance, master data management, data warehousing, and the integration of advanced analytics, AI, and machine learning to drive data-driven decision-making across the business.
Security and Compliance by Design
Integrate security and risk management into the entire architecture lifecycle. Ensure that all architectural designs are inherently secure, resilient, and fully compliant with stringent insurance industry regulations (e.g., NAIC, GDPR, CCPA) and cybersecurity best practices.
Executive Stakeholder Engagement
Serve as a trusted technology advisor to the executive leadership team. Effectively communicate the business value, risks, and implications of architectural decisions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, building consensus and securing buy-in for strategic initiatives.
Team Leadership and Mentorship
Build, lead, and mentor a world-class team of enterprise and solution architects. Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performance culture. Provide career development, coaching, and technical guidance to cultivate the next generation of architectural leaders within the organization.
Financial Management
Oversee the budget and financial planning for the enterprise architecture function. Develop business cases for technology investments, demonstrating clear ROI and alignment with strategic priorities.
Requirements for the VP, Enterprise Architecture with a Major Insurer – Chicago, IL
This senior leadership role requires a unique blend of deep technical expertise, strategic business acumen, and exceptional leadership skills. We are seeking a candidate who has a demonstrated history of success in similar roles within complex, regulated environments.
Required Qualifications:
Experience
A minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in information technology, with at least 8-10 years in enterprise and solution architecture roles and a minimum of 5 years in a senior leadership position managing architecture teams.
Industry Expertise
Significant and demonstrable experience within the insurance industry (Property & Casualty, Life & Annuity, or Health) is mandatory. Deep understanding of core insurance processes, systems, and the regulatory landscape is essential.
Educational Background
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field. A Master’s degree (MBA or MS) is highly preferred.
Strategic Leadership
Proven experience developing and executing technology strategy that drives measurable business outcomes. Ability to think strategically and translate business needs into architectural blueprints.
Cloud Expertise
Extensive hands-on experience architecting and delivering solutions on major cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP), including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS models.
Architectural Frameworks
Deep knowledge and practical application of enterprise architecture frameworks such as TOGAF, Zachman, or similar methodologies.
Communication Skills
World-class communication, presentation, and influencing skills. The ability to distill complex technical topics for executive-level audiences and build strong relationships across all levels of the organization is critical.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with major insurance software platforms (e.g., Guidewire, Duck Creek, Majesco).
- Certifications in Enterprise Architecture (e.g., TOGAF 9 Certified) and Cloud Architecture (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional).
- A strong track record of leading successful, large-scale legacy modernization and digital transformation programs.
- Expertise in modern architectural patterns, including microservices, event-driven architecture, API management, and serverless computing.
- Solid understanding of data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence applications within the insurance context.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent by offering a highly competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package. This includes:
Executive Compensation
A competitive base salary complemented by a significant annual performance-based bonus and a long-term incentive plan (equity/stock options).
Comprehensive Health & Wellness
Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your dependents, a robust wellness program, and access to top-tier mental health resources.
Retirement Planning
A generous 401(k) retirement plan with a substantial company match to help you secure your financial future.
Work-Life Integration
A generous paid time off (PTO) policy, numerous paid holidays, and a commitment to flexible work arrangements, including a hybrid model for this Chicago-based role.
Professional Growth
A significant budget for professional development, including attendance at industry conferences, executive education programs, and pursuit of relevant certifications.
Additional Benefits
Relocation assistance package, comprehensive life and disability insurance, commuter benefits, and various employee discount programs.
How to Apply
This is a retained search managed exclusively by JRG Partners. If you are a visionary technology leader ready to make a lasting impact on a leading insurance organization, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this executive opportunity, please submit your confidential resume and a cover letter outlining your qualifications and interest in the role through our secure portal.
