Enterprise Data Architect

Description and Requirements
Enterprise Data Architect
Location: Cary, NC or NYC (Hybrid- minimum of 3-days in the office)
The Enterprise Data Architect is responsible for designing, implementing, and managing an organization's overall data architecture strategy driving innovation, and ensuring alignment with MetLife's global objectives. This leadership role ensures that data assets are structured, governed, secured, and leveraged to drive business insights and operational efficiency. The Data Architect works closely with business stakeholders, IT, analytics and governance teams to enable data-driven decision-making across the enterprise. This role requires deep expertise, visionary leadership, and the ability to mentor and inspire architects and engineers across the organization.
Department
Enterprise Architecture ensures a holistic strategy and approach to technology solutions, by working broadly across the company. We drive MetLife toward a simplified and consistent architecture, globally, thereby driving quality, agility, and cost-effectiveness. We support all areas of MetLife in developing and implementing the MetLife and GTO strategy -- Business Units, Global Operations, Application Development, Info Sec, Data and Analytics and Infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities:
Data Architecture & Strategy

• Develop, maintain and communicate the enterprise data architecture blueprint-including data models, platforms, standards, and policies.
• Define and evolve the organization's data strategy to support analytics, business intelligence, AI/ML, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Assess and recommend technologies (data warehouses, lakes, platforms, databases, cloud solutions).
• Serve as a thought leader and strategic advisor for data architecture across the enterprise .

Governance & Compliance

• Lead data governance efforts-metadata management, data quality, classification, lineage, and stewardship.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory, privacy, and security requirements (GDPR, SOX, HIPAA, etc.).
• Establish and promote data management best practices.
• Oversee the governance, assessment, and documentation of technologies for data platforms, ensuring compliance, security, and resilience.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Act as a bridge between business leaders, data owners, data engineers, and CIO Communities.
• Advise and guide project teams on data architecture to ensure alignment with standards.
• Mentor, coach, and develop architects and engineers, raising the technical bar for the entire organization.

Solution Design

• Architect data solutions for internal and external applications, AI/ML, analytics, and reporting.
• Design data integration frameworks (ETL/ELT), APIs, and pipelines for structured and unstructured data.
• Design data lifecycle and optimization for storage, retrieval, and performance.

Innovation & Roadmap

• Stay up-to-date with industry trends (cloud data platforms, real-time streaming, AI/ML, data mesh, etc.)
• Author position papers and thought leadership content on data architecture and leveraging data as a catalyst for business innovation.
• Establish multiyear architecture roadmaps for Data platforms and applications to drive rationalization and modernization opportunities.
• Evaluate and pilot emerging data technologies

Key Relationships:
Key Stakeholders: Senior Solution Architects, Global Governance Partners (Data & Analytics, Security, Infrastructure, Privacy, Legal), Executive Leadership, and external partners.
Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills:

• 15+ years' experience in Data, Engineering or Architecture, with at least 3 years in financial services or banking with proven leadership in enterprise-scale data solutions.
• Experience architecting data solutions leveraging SaaS, PaaS, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Demonstrated strategic vision and ability to translate business objectives into actionable architecture.
• Deep expertise in security, operational, and resiliency architecture principles.
• Proven track record of leading large-scale technical initiatives and influencing at the executive level.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics, or related field (Master's or PhD preferred).
• Recognized authority in AI, machine learning, automation, and advanced analytics.
• Extensive knowledge of Big Data, information architecture, data integration, management, and database technologies.
• 10+ years in data architecture, data engineering, or similar roles.
• Expertise with enterprise data platforms (e.g., Azure data platform, Snowflake, Databricks).
• Strong experience with database technologies (SQL/NoSQL), data modeling, and design methodologies.
• Familiar with data governance frameworks and tools.
• Expertise with modern cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP), Kubernetes, web APIs, and API security protocols.
• Strong background in Agile, DevOps, and enterprise SDLC methodologies.
• Experience in insurance and financial services architecture.
• Industry certifications (e.g., TOGAF, CDMP, Azure/AWS/GCP Architect).

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 $185K to $215K. 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.
$185K to $215K
#BI-Hybrid