Director of Enterprise and AI Architecture

Smurfit Westrock • Atlanta, GA

63d

About The Position

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is a global leader in sustainable paper and packaging solutions. We are materials scientists, packaging designers, mechanical engineers and manufacturing experts with a shared purpose: Innovate Boldly. Package Sustainably. Guided by our values of integrity, respect, accountability and excellence, we use leading science and technology to move fiber-based packaging forward. Our Technology Organization Is Transforming How We Work At Smurfit Westrock. We Align With Our Businesses To Deliver Innovative Solutions That Address specific business challenges, integrate processes, and create great experiences Connect our work to shared goals that propel Smurfit Westrock forward in the Digital Age Imagine how technology can advance the way we work by using disruptive technology We are looking for forward thinking technologists that can accelerate our focus areas such as building stronger foundational technology capabilities, reducing complexity, employing digital transformation concepts, and leveraging disruptive technology. The Opportunity As Smurfit Westrock advances through a critical phase of post-merger technology integration, we are seeking a visionary Director of Enterprise Architecture to lead and evolve the enterprise architecture function. This role is responsible for architecting the future-state technology landscape, embedding enterprise-wide architectural governance, and aligning IT investments with strategic business outcomes. The Director will lead a diverse architecture team spanning business, application, data/information, integration, infrastructure, and security domains. As the senior-most EA leader, you will establish architecture principles, orchestrate alignment across federated and centralized teams, and partner with executive leadership to enable transformation through scalable, secure, and innovative enterprise capabilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (Master's preferred).
• 15+ years of progressive IT experience with 10+ years in Enterprise Architecture leadership roles.
• Deep expertise in multiple architecture domains: business, application, data, technology, and security.
• Proven experience standing up or evolving a modern enterprise architecture function in a complex, global enterprise.
• Demonstrated success guiding large-scale transformation initiatives, technology portfolio modernization, and M&A integration.
• Familiarity with architecture tooling (Bizzdesign, LeanIX, Ardoq) and modeling languages (ArchiMate, UML, BPM, BPMN).

Nice To Haves

• Certification in EA frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman, SABSA) or architecture methodologies (SAFe for Architects).
• Experience with Gartner-aligned EA maturity models and operating models.
• Ability to articulate architecture value to both technical and business stakeholders.
• Skilled in navigating federated IT environments and balancing agility with standardization.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and integrate AI-enabling platforms and technologies into enterprise architecture, accelerating use cases in automation, analytics, supply chain optimization, and customer engagement.
• Partner with data, security, and product teams to ensure AI solutions are governed, ethical, secure, and scalable across Smurfit Westrock's global business units.
• Lead the development and execution of enterprise AI architecture and operating models, aligning machine learning and AI capabilities with business goals.
• Define and continuously evolve the enterprise architecture vision and operating model for Smurfit Westrock.
• Align EA priorities to corporate strategy, major programs (SAP S/4HANA, HR Transformation, Application Harmonization), and technology modernization roadmaps.
• Drive architecture-led planning, capability-based investment decisions, and integrated solution design across all business and IT domains.
• Establish and govern the EA framework, methodology, tools, and engagement model.
• Establish and govern the AI governance model and evolve as we mature.
• Chair the Architecture Design Forum (ADF) and influence decision-making in enterprise programs and technology investments.
• Lead the design, adoption, and maturity of architecture scorecards, NFR frameworks, reference architectures, and reusable design patterns.
• Provide architectural oversight across all vertical and horizontal workstreams within the Technology Integration Program and post-merger key strategic initiatives.
• Support application and platform rationalization efforts through business capability mapping, technology lifecycle management, and interoperability strategy.
• Promote reusability and modernization through cloud-native architectures, API-driven integration, and composable enterprise principles.
• Lead and mentor a matrixed team of domain architects and business-facing architecture partners.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and architecture advocacy across IT and business teams.
• Build and scale an EA practice that operates as an internal management consultancy.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to C-level, VP, and program leaders across business, digital, data, and cybersecurity functions.
• Bridge the gap between technology design and business strategy to drive enterprise value.
• Represent Enterprise Architecture in strategic forums, executive committees, and vendor engagements.

Benefits

• Corporate culture based on loyalty, integrity, & respect.
• Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
• An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
• A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Industry: Paper Manufacturing
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees