AVP, Enterprise Architecture & AI Enablement (US Technology)

Description and Requirements
AVP, En terprise Architecture & AI Enablement (US Technology)
Location: Cary, NC preferred, then NYC, Bridgewater, NJ
US Technology - AVP, En terprise Architecture & AI Enablement
Location: Cary, NC or New York / New Jersey
Role Summary
The AVP, Chief Architect for US Technology shapes, evolves, and governs the enterprise architecture strategy for MetLife's US Business, with a strong emphasis on AI‑driven transformation at enterprise scale.
This role combines enterprise architecture leadership-defining platforms, standards, reference architectures, and roadmaps-with a forward‑deployed, hands‑on mindset. The AVP partners closely with senior business and technology leaders to identify high‑impact opportunities, guide AI‑enabled solution design, and ensure innovation is delivered through secure, scalable, and well‑governed architectural patterns.
As a senior leader within Enterprise Architecture, this role is accountable for leading and evolving the architecture community, developing the skills, tools, and operating models required to succeed in an AI‑enabled software delivery lifecycle (SDLC).
Department Overview
Enterprise Architecture provides a holistic approach to technology strategy and solution design across US Technology. The team drives a simplified, consistent, and future‑ready architecture, enabling agility, resilience, quality, and cost effectiveness.
The function partners broadly across US Business units, Global Operations, Application Development, Information Security, Data & Analytics, Infrastructure, Privacy, and Legal to ensure alignment with enterprise and GTO strategy.
Key Responsibilities

• Define, maintain, and communicate the US Business enterprise architecture blueprint, including platforms, standards, reference architectures, and architectural guardrails.
• Establish multi‑year architecture roadmaps that guide modernization, AI enablement, system rationalization, and investment decisions.
• Integrate enterprise architecture into an AI‑enabled SDLC, from experimentation and design through production deployment and lifecycle management.
• Establish reusable AI architectural patterns and reference implementations that enable rapid innovation while meeting enterprise‑grade security, compliance, resilience, and governance requirements.
• Provide architectural oversight for AI‑enabled and cloud‑native solutions, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards, data strategy, and risk management practices.
• Guide teams in incorporating AI capabilities (e.g., LLMs, copilots, automation) into modern and legacy‑constrained architectures.
• Architect and review solutions across applications, data platforms, integrations, cloud infrastructure, and AI‑enabled capabilities, partnering closely with engineering teams.
• Engage hands‑on, when appropriate, in solution design, rapid prototyping, or proof‑of‑concept initiatives to validate architectural approaches and accelerate learning.
• Lead architecture governance across solution quality, security, resilience, lifecycle management, and compliance, including regulatory and privacy requirements.
• Act as a trusted advisor and bridge between business leaders, technology owners, engineers, and governance bodies, translating business strategy into actionable architectural direction.
• Communicate complex architectural and AI concepts with executive clarity, enabling informed decision‑making.
• Lead, mentor, and develop enterprise and solution architects, building a high‑performing, modern architecture community.
• Evolve team capabilities in AI, cloud platforms, data architecture, and AI‑enabled delivery models, balancing architectural rigor with a culture of experimentation and innovation.

Key Relationships:

• Enterprise Architecture Community
• US Business and US Technology Leadership
• Engineering, Data & Analytics, Security, Infrastructure, Privacy, and Legal partners
• External technology and platform partners

Experience & Qualifications:
Required

• 15+ years of experience in technology, engineering, or enterprise architecture within large‑scale environments.
• Proven ability to translate business strategy into architecture execution.
• Strong experience with cloud platforms (Azure required; AWS/GCP preferred) and hybrid architectures.
• Deep understanding of security, resiliency, and operational architecture principles.
• Demonstrated executive‑level influence and exceptional communication skills.

Preferred

• Advanced degree in engineering, computer science, or related field.
• Experience with AI, machine learning, automation, or advanced analytics architectures.
• Familiarity with LLM‑based architectures, AI integration patterns, and AI governance.
• Experience with modern SDLC practices, Agile, DevSecOps, and cloud‑native delivery models.
• Industry certifications (e.g., TOGAF, cloud architect certifications).

Location Expectation: This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in office.
The expected salary range for this position is $190K to $220K. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation and stock-based long-term incentives. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.
Benefits We Offer
Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife
Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces™, as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ("protected characteristics").
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
$190K to $220K
#BI-Hybrid