Director, AI Solution Architecture

The Canada Life Assurance Company • Toronto, ON

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Canada Life has an ambition to apply human-led AI to innovate, elevate customer service, and accelerate growth across the organization. Achieving this ambition requires strong, enterprise-grade AI architecture that enables scalable delivery while managing risk and complexity. Reporting to the AVP, AI Engineering & Architecture, the Director, AI Architecture provides architectural leadership for AI platforms, services, and solutions across Canada Life. This role is accountable for defining and evolving the enterprise AI target-state architecture, guiding solution design, and ensuring AI initiatives are architected in a secure, scalable, and compliant manner aligned with business and technology strategy. This role partners closely with AI solution delivery, enterprise architecture, and business teams to translate strategy into actionable architectural direction, balancing long-term architectural integrity with near-term delivery outcomes in a regulated, complex enterprise environment.

Requirements

• Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, or a related discipline
• 10+ years of experience in complex, regulated IT environments with deep architecture experience
• 5+ years of progressive leadership experience across architecture, delivery, or technology teams
• Prior experience as a Senior Solution Architect, Portfolio Architect, Enterprise Architect, or AI Architect
• Strong understanding of AI, data, and analytics architecture including model lifecycle management and data pipelines
• Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks and tools (e.g., TOGAF, UML, ArchiMate, LeanIX, ServiceNow)
• Working knowledge of AI risk, data governance, privacy, and regulatory considerations
• Ability to balance long-term architectural direction with near-term delivery pressures
• Product and platform mindset with experience enabling technology-driven business change
• Strong awareness of emerging AI and data technology trends

Responsibilities

• Accountable for ensuring high-quality delivery of AI and data-driven solutions that align with business unit and enterprise architecture principles
• Define, own, and evolve the target-state AI architecture, including platforms, model lifecycle patterns, data flows, integrations, and infrastructure
• Proactively identify opportunities to apply AI and advanced analytics to enhance business capabilities and operational efficiency
• Research and recommend emerging AI technologies, architecture patterns, and industry best practices
• Guide and sponsor early-stage AI initiatives, including discovery, proof-of-concept, and pilot efforts
• Support business strategy development through AI architecture roadmaps, design options, and investment proposals
• Ensure AI solutions meet non-functional requirements including security, resilience, scalability, explainability, privacy, and operational supportability
• Provide architectural guidance and approval for AI-enabled solution designs developed by Solution Architects
• Bring architecturally significant AI decisions to architecture governance and review bodies
• Drive a high-performance culture across AI and solution architecture teams

Benefits

• Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to $2,000 annually towards education reimbursement.
• Health & Wellness: Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being.
• Time Off: In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.
• Financial Security: Company-matching pension plan, share ownership program and additional investment options.
• Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!
• Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director