Director - Enterprise Architecture

MetLife; Cary (NC); Hybrid; USD 135,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision coverage

401(k) with employer match

Life insurance and disability coverage

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

MetLife is seeking a Director, Enterprise Architect to lead AI-driven architecture strategy across US Group domains, including Dental, Disability, Life, Pet and A&H. Reporting to the Chief Architect, this role will define multi-year roadmaps embedding generative AI and intelligent automation into core business and technology platforms to accelerate modernization and enhance digital experiences.

This leader will guide a team of architects to advance Azure-based AI capabilities, integrate

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years architecting enterprise business applications.
• Minimum 5 years as an Enterprise Architect leading complex technology portfolios.
• Working knowledge of AI capabilities, Cloud components, and scalable Enterprise Architectures.
• Strong grounding in application, data, security, and integration architecture.
• Experience delivering solutions in Agile or SAFe environments.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead 3-year architecture roadmaps for US Group Functions.
• Align US domain strategies to enterprise cloud, AI, security, and data architecture standards.
• Drive modernization by leveraging Azure Cloud, emerging technologies and AI.
• Architect AI-first solutions that are scalable, secure, cloud-aligned solutions using Azure Cloud services.
• Define and drive modern integration patterns between enrollment, policy admin systems, claims, billing and enterprise data platforms.
• Deliver architecture within Agile/SAFe frameworks and collaborate closely with engineering teams.
• Mentor architects and engineers to elevate architecture maturity and technical depth.

Skills

Enterprise Architecture Leadership

AI in enterprise

Stakeholder Engagement

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Azure

Job description

When you join MetLife’s Global Technology team, you’ll be part of a forward-thinking group dedicated to shaping the future of digital solutions for customers worldwide. You’ll develop, maintain and support technology applications and delivery, leveraging AI, automation, and contemporary ways of working to enhance experiences and drive business outcomes. Your work will simplify complex processes, improve tech resiliency, and ensure high-performing, seamless solutions that power life’s most important moments. In this dynamic environment, you’ll collaborate with talented peers across teams and functions, expanding your skills in impactful ways. Ready to push boundaries and set new industry standards? Join us and help drive the future of technology forward.

The Opportunity

MetLife is seeking a Director, Enterprise Architect to lead AI-driven architecture strategy across US Group domains, including Dental, Disability, Life, Pet and A&H. Reporting to the Chief Architect, this role will define and execute multi-year roadmaps that embed generative AI, agentic solutions, and intelligent automation into core business and technology platforms to accelerate modernization and enhance digital experiences.

This leader will guide a team of architects to advance Azure-based AI capabilities, integrate legacy and cloud environments, and establish scalable AI patterns, standards, and governance. The role is accountable for driving enterprise alignment and ensuring AI initiatives deliver measurable business value across customer experience, operations, and decisioning.

The ideal candidate brings strong enterprise architecture leadership experience, with a proven track record of applying AI in complex, regulated environments. Success in this role requires strategic thinking, executive influence, and the ability to build high-performing teams while maturing enterprise AI capabilities and adoption.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture Strategy & Road mapping

• Lead 3‑year architecture roadmaps for US Group Functions (Group Core, Digital, Disability, etc.).
• Align US domain strategies to enterprise cloud, AI, security, and data architecture standards.
• Drive modernization by leveraging Azure Cloud, emerging technologies and AI.

Solution Architecture & Delivery

• Architect AI first solutions that are scalable, secure, cloud‑aligned solutions using Azure Cloud services.
• Define and drive modern integration patterns between enrollment, policy admin systems, claims, billing and enterprise data platforms.
• Deliver architecture within Agile/SAFe frameworks and collaborate closely with engineering teams.

Technology Leadership

• Serve as the senior authority for AI and emerging technology architecture across US Group, shaping the adoption of generative AI, agentic systems, and intelligent automation
• Continuously evaluate and operationalize advancements in AI/ML, LLMs, automation, security, and enterprise SaaS to drive innovation, scalability, and measurable business outcomes

Governance & Influence

• Establish architectural standards, reusable patterns, and governance practices.
• Drive architectural decisions through influence, communication, and data‑driven recommendations.
• Mentor architects and engineers to elevate architecture maturity and technical depth.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10+ years architecting enterprise business applications.
• Minimum 5 years as an Enterprise Architect leading complex technology portfolios.
• Working knowledge of AI capabilities, Cloud components, and scalable Enterprise Architectures
• Strong grounding in application, data, security, and integration architecture.
• Experience delivering solutions in Agile or SAFe environments.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in insurance or financial services, with an understanding of regulated, large‑scale enterprise environments
• Proven experience leading, mentoring, and scaling architecture or engineering teams
• Strong experience designing, governing, or operating solutions on Microsoft Azure, including cloud and hybrid architecture

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 $135,000 - $175,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. 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, paid time off, paid holidays, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more! For more information regarding MetLife’s U.S. benefits, please click here.

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.

As part of our New Frontier strategy, MetLife is building an AI-enabled, people-centered future. We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, adaptability, and a growth mindset as we use AI to enhance how we serve customers, support communities, and evolve the way work gets done. At MetLife, AI is a responsible partner that supports human judgment, creativity, and continuous improvement while helping us build trust, inclusion, and long-term value.

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 [e-mail]. 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.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liabilities.

This posting is for a current vacancy and is anticipated to remain open for at least 90 days from the listed posting date.