Vice President, Data and AI Architect

Prudential Financial • Newark, NJ

1d • $221,900 - $333,000

About The Position

Prudential is seeking an enterprise Data & AI architecture leader to define and build the future of Data and AI across the enterprise. Reporting to the Chief Architect, this highly visible role sits at the intersection of enterprise architecture, data architecture, AI strategy, platform engineering, and business transformation. It connects Enterprise Architecture and the Chief Data & AI Office (CDAIO) to help establish a unified approach to enterprise data, AI strategy, platforms, governance, and execution.

As a member of both the Enterprise Architecture Leadership Team and the CDAIO Leadership Team, the position shares responsibility for enterprise strategy, architectural direction, platform capabilities, governance frameworks, and long-term technology roadmaps while remaining closely involved in delivery. The role is Prudential’s architectural leader for enterprise Data & AI strategy, enterprise data architecture, data platforms and lakehouse architectures, AI platform architecture, Agentic AI and emerging AI capabilities, and Data & AI governance.

The leader will evolve Prudential’s enterprise Data & AI architecture vision, target state, and roadmap; collaborate with CDAIO leadership on the enterprise ecosystem; shape data and AI platforms and capabilities; establish standards and reference architectures; guide responsible adoption of emerging technologies; and work with engineers and platform teams to accelerate implementation. The role also builds and develops a high-performing Data & AI Architecture capability.

Success includes establishing a target-state architecture and supporting roadmap, defining foundations for the Agentic AI ecosystem and enterprise AI platform strategy, advancing enterprise data platform strategy, and enabling responsible, secure, and trusted AI adoption. The position is based in the realities of a large global enterprise, including mainframe platforms, multiple systems of record, identity resolution challenges, and decades of critical business data.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Significant experience leading enterprise architecture, data architecture, software engineering, AI engineering, platform engineering, or technology strategy initiatives within large, complex organizations.
• Demonstrated success leading transformational technology initiatives that balance innovation, scale, governance, and business outcomes.
• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise Data & AI transformations and translating emerging technologies into measurable business value.
• Deep understanding of modern Data & AI ecosystems, including data platforms, lakehouse architectures, data governance, Generative AI, Agentic AI, and enterprise AI platforms.
• Track record of moving organizations beyond experimentation to establish scalable, repeatable capabilities that drive productivity, customer value, and business impact.
• Practical experience shaping Data & AI platforms, engineering approaches, governance models, and operating practices that enable enterprise adoption.
• Credibility as a Data & AI thought leader able to engage executives, architects, engineers, product teams, and business leaders in strategy and technology investment decisions.
• Comfort operating as a hands-on technology leader and engaging directly with engineers and platform teams during active delivery.
• Experience reviewing architecture implementations, platform configurations, engineering designs, and code contributions.
• Ability to diagnose technical challenges quickly, remove delivery obstacles, and provide pragmatic guidance to engineering teams.
• Passion for remaining technically current and personally engaged in emerging technologies and architectural practices.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Management, or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve Prudential’s Enterprise Data & AI Architecture vision, target-state architecture, and long-term roadmap.
• Collaboratively lead the evolution of Prudential’s enterprise Data & AI ecosystem with CDAIO leadership, including platform strategy, governance, and capability roadmaps.
• Shape the evolution of enterprise data and AI platforms, including data products, lakehouse capabilities, metadata management, data quality, governance, and AI platform services.
• Establish enterprise standards, architectural patterns, reference architectures, and governance frameworks for scalable, reusable, and trusted Data & AI capabilities.
• Lead evaluation and adoption strategy for emerging Data & AI technologies and determine how capabilities can be responsibly introduced into the enterprise.
• Define architectural approaches for Generative AI, Agentic AI, AI Assistants, and future AI capabilities.
• Participate in architecture reviews, engineering discussions, platform design sessions, and delivery activities to accelerate implementation and remove technical obstacles.
• Build and develop a high-performing Data & AI Architecture capability that promotes technical excellence, innovation, and continuous learning.
• Review architecture implementations, platform configurations, engineering designs, and code contributions; diagnose technical challenges and provide pragmatic guidance to engineering teams.
• Establish architectural foundations for the Agentic AI ecosystem and enterprise AI platform strategy, and advance modern data architecture patterns, governance capabilities, and integration standards.

Benefits

• Market-competitive base salary with yearly bonus potential.
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Paid Time Off (PTO) and leaves of absence, including parental and military leave.
• 401(k) plan with company match up to 4%.
• Company-funded pension plan.
• Wellness programs, including up to $1,600 per year in reimbursement for items supporting personal wellbeing.
• Work/Life Resources covering topics such as parenting, housing, senior care, finances, pets, legal matters, education, emotional and mental health, and career development.
• Education Benefit to help finance approved traditional college enrollment and many accredited certificate programs.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan, allowing shares to be purchased at 85% of the lower of two prices at the beginning or end of the purchase period.

What This Job Offers

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