Enterprise Architecture Director

Benesch•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Benesch is seeking an Enterprise Architecture Director to lead the planning, governance, and strategic direction of our enterprise architecture function. Reporting directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO), the Enterprise Architecture Director will ensure Benesch’s technology environment is secure, scalable, integrated, and aligned with business strategy. The ideal candidate is a strategic technology leader who can translate business priorities into practical enterprise architecture strategies, roadmaps, and technology decisions. This role will be accountable for developing and executing a multi-year enterprise architecture roadmap that guides modernization, platform rationalization, data architecture, cybersecurity, cloud adoption, and the responsible use of artificial intelligence across the enterprise. The Enterprise Architecture Director will provide strategic technical guidance to meet Benesch’s evolving needs for a complex, high-quality, scalable, and cost-effective information services architecture that supports the company’s current and future strategic objectives. The Enterprise Architecture Director will partner with business, engineering, digital solutions, security, data, and Technology leadership to establish architectural standards, governance, and technology strategies that enable innovation, manage risk, improve scalability, and maximize the value of Benesch’s technology investments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business, or another applicable technical field.
10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise architecture, technology strategy, solution architecture, or a related technology leadership discipline, including 6+ years of experience leading technology teams, architecture functions, or enterprise-level technology initiatives.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing enterprise architecture roadmaps spanning business applications, ERP systems, data platforms, integration architecture, infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity, and end-user technology, along with proven experience leading large-scale technology implementations, modernization initiatives, and complex enterprise transformation programs.
Demonstrated experience establishing architecture governance, standards, reference architectures, technology principles, and lifecycle management practices that reduce complexity, manage risk, and improve scalability. Strong understanding of product and service lifecycle management, including technology evaluation, implementation, optimization, modernization, and retirement.
Working knowledge of enterprise AI architecture concepts, including data governance, AI-enabled solution design, model integration, responsible AI practices, security and privacy considerations, and alignment to business value. Demonstrated understanding of cloud, hybrid infrastructure, enterprise applications, data architecture, integration technologies, cybersecurity, automation, and emerging technology trends.
Experience evaluating and rationalizing technology products, platforms, services, and vendors based on business requirements, technical capabilities, cost, risk, scalability, and long-term viability. Demonstrated experience developing business cases and communicating technology investment recommendations, architectural tradeoffs, risks, dependencies, and expected outcomes.
Working knowledge of service level agreements, KPIs, demand management, forecasting, and technology performance measurement, with experience using scripting, system automation, integration, and technology enabled process improvement.
Experience working with onshore and offshore technology teams and insourced and outsourced IT operations. Strong financial and resource management experience, including business planning, budgeting, forecasting, and investment prioritization.
Demonstrated leadership and team-building experience, with the ability to mentor technical professionals and develop high-performing teams. Strong business acumen and exceptional strategic thinking, analytical, problem solving, decision making, and execution skills, with the ability to balance innovation, risk, cost, scalability, and business value.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, and be accountable for the overall strategic direction and operations of the Enterprise Architecture function, while partnering with the CIO and Technology Leadership Team to support the development and execution of Benesch’s broader IT strategy and ensure enterprise architecture priorities remain aligned with those objectives.
Develop, maintain, and execute a multi-year enterprise architecture roadmap aligned with business capabilities, technology platforms, data architecture, cybersecurity, cloud strategy, investment priorities, and Benesch’s evolving business needs. Continuously re-evaluate the technology roadmap against industry best practices, emerging technologies, and opportunities for innovation and modernization.
Establish and maintain enterprise architecture standards, reference architecture, governance processes, technology principles, and decision frameworks that guide technology selection, solution design, integration patterns, architecture decisions, and technology lifecycle management.
Lead the enterprise-level evaluation and adoption of artificial intelligence capabilities, including AI-enabled business solutions, data readiness, model governance, integration patterns, risk management, and responsible-use standards, while ensuring AI and emerging technologies align with business value, security, privacy, and enterprise architecture principles.
Partner with business, engineering, digital solutions, security, data, and Technology leadership to translate strategic priorities into practical architecture roadmaps, reusable technology patterns, and prioritized technology initiatives that support Benesch’s current and future needs.
Develop and maintain the strategic direction of Benesch’s cybersecurity systems and solutions, ensuring the enterprise architecture supports client requirements, applicable security standards, risk management, and the company’s evolving technology environment.
Provide leadership, mentoring, and development to Enterprise Architecture staff while ensuring appropriate resources, staffing levels, organizational capabilities, and talent are in place to provide the necessary services and support Benesch’s current and future technology needs.
Lead the development and management of Enterprise Architecture business plans and budgets, including supervising, monitoring, and projecting related spending to ensure resources and investments remain aligned with business plans, budgets, and strategic priorities.
Oversee talent management activities within the Enterprise Architecture function, including hiring, performance management, promotions, salary adjustments, bonuses, and other personnel decisions necessary to build and maintain a high-performing team.
Build and maintain strong relationships with technology vendors, service providers, and strategic partners to support technology evaluation, innovation, service delivery, and Benesch’s enterprise architecture strategy.