Vice President, Data and AI Architect

Prudential Financial•Newark, NJ

About The Position

Prudential is seeking a Vice President, Enterprise Data & AI Architect to define and build the future of Data and AI across the enterprise. Reporting to the Chief Architect, this highly visible leadership role connects enterprise architecture, data architecture, AI strategy, platform engineering, and business transformation. The role bridges 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 leader shares responsibility for enterprise strategy, architectural direction, platform capabilities, governance frameworks, and long-term roadmaps while remaining closely engaged in delivery. The position leads Prudential’s enterprise Data & AI strategy and architecture, data platforms and lakehouse architectures, AI platform architecture, Agentic AI and emerging capabilities, and data and AI governance. The work includes turning innovations such as modern data platforms, Generative AI, AI Assistants, and Agentic AI into scalable enterprise solutions that deliver measurable business value, while addressing the realities of a large global enterprise, including mainframe platforms, multiple systems of record, identity resolution challenges, and decades of critical business data. The successful candidate will help evolve Prudential’s Data & AI ecosystem and platforms, establish reusable architectural patterns and governance, evaluate emerging technologies, and enable responsible AI adoption. This is a hands-on technology leadership role: the leader participates in architecture reviews, engineering discussions, platform design, and delivery, and helps remove technical obstacles. They will also build and develop a high-performing Data & AI Architecture capability. A bachelor’s degree is required; an advanced degree in a related discipline is preferred. The position calls for significant leadership experience in enterprise architecture, data architecture, software or AI engineering, platform engineering, or technology strategy in large, complex organizations, along with demonstrated success leading transformational initiatives and enterprise Data & AI adoption. The salary range is $221,900 to $333,000. Specific compensation may vary based on location, experience, and skills. Prudential offers market-competitive base salaries and yearly bonus potential, along with benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, PTO, leave, a 401(k) with company match, a company-funded pension, wellness reimbursement, work/life resources, an education benefit, and an employee stock purchase plan.

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.
Ability to engage executives, architects, engineers, product teams, and business leaders in shaping strategy and technology investments.
Comfort operating as a hands-on technology leader and engaging directly with engineers and platform teams during delivery.
Experience reviewing architecture implementations, platform configurations, engineering designs, and code contributions.
Ability to diagnose technical challenges, 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, with CDAIO leadership, the evolution of the enterprise Data & AI ecosystem, including platform strategy, governance, and capability roadmaps.
Shape 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 they 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.
Establish the target-state Enterprise Data & AI Architecture and supporting roadmap during the first 6–12 months.
Define architectural foundations for Prudential’s emerging Agentic AI ecosystem and enterprise AI platform strategy.
Advance enterprise data platform strategy, including modern data architecture patterns, governance capabilities, and integration standards.

Benefits

Market-competitive base salaries with yearly bonus potential at every level.
Medical insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
Life insurance.
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 personal wellbeing purchases.
Work/life resources covering 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 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.
Eligibility to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to program rules and performance factors.