Head of Enterprise Architecture

Westfield Insurance; Westfield Center (OH); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Westfield Insurance is seeking a Vice President of Enterprise Architecture to define and drive the enterprise-wide architecture strategy. This senior technology executive will align technology investments with business priorities and lead modernization efforts across various insurance functions.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in IT and enterprise architecture, particularly within the insurance industry, and will work closely with executive leadership to ensure effective technology strategies.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in IT, with significant experience in enterprise architecture leadership.
• 7–10+ years in senior leadership roles (Director, AVP, VP).
• Deep experience in the insurance industry (P&C, Life, or Reinsurance).

Responsibilities

• Define and own the enterprise architecture vision and strategic roadmap.
• Lead long-term modernization efforts for core platforms and cloud migration.
• Act as a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders.

Skills

Enterprise architecture leadership

Collaboration

Effective communication

Customer focus

Complexity management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Master’s or MBA preferred

Tools

TOGAF framework

Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)

Guidewire

Duck Creek

Job description

Job Summary

The Vice President of Enterprise Architecture (EA) is a senior technology executive responsible for defining, driving, and governing the enterprise-wide architecture strategy to enable business growth, operational excellence, and digital transformation. This role ensures alignment between business priorities and technology investments across all insurance functions (underwriting, policy, claims, billing, distribution), while modernizing core systems and advancing data, cloud, and digital capabilities.

The VP, EA serves as a key advisor to the CIO and executive leadership team, shaping long-term technology direction and ensuring scalable, secure, and compliant solutions across the enterprise.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without employer sponsorship.

Job Responsibilities

• Define and own the enterprise architecture vision, operating model, and strategic roadmap.
• Align architecture strategy with corporate objectives, product strategies, and customer experience goals.
• Lead long-term modernization efforts (core platforms, cloud migration, digital ecosystem).
• Act as a trusted advisor to C-suite leaders (CIO, CTO, COO, CFO, business presidents).
• Translate business strategy into technology capabilities and investment priorities.
• Drive enterprise-wide decision-making on technology direction and standards.
• Establish and enforce architecture governance frameworks, standards, and policies.
• Chair or sponsor Architecture Review Boards (ARB) and design authorities.
• Ensure consistency, scalability, and reuse across all technology solutions.
• Provide oversight across all architecture domains and lead legacy modernization and technical debt reduction at scale.
• Ensure architecture aligns with regulatory requirements and industry standards (e.g., NAIC, SOC2, HIPAA where applicable).
• Define structure across enterprise, domain, and solution architects.
• Owns accountability for talent management and navigation of employee related issues that impact morale and work environment to ensure a high performing team including hiring, selection, succession planning, performance and compensation management, and employee development and career coaching as required. Manages priorities and workload distribution and removes barriers that impede progress.
• Guide selection and governance of strategic technology partners and platforms.
• Build partnerships with InsurTech vendors and ecosystem providers.
• Influence contract and investment decisions tied to architecture strategy.

Job Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in IT, with significant experience in enterprise architecture leadership.
• 7–10+ years in senior leadership roles (Director, AVP, VP).
• Deep experience in the insurance industry (P&C, Life, or Reinsurance).
• Proven track record leading enterprise-scale transformation and modernization programs.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (Master’s or MBA preferred.)

Behavioral Competencies

• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Customer Focus
• Decision Quality
• Nimble Learning
• Builds Effective Teams
• Business Insight
• Develops Talent
• Directs Work
• Ensures Accountability
• Manages Complexity
• Drives Vision and Purpose
• Strategic Mindset

Technical Skills

• Mastery of enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF).
• Strong experience with:
  • Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
  • API and microservices architecture
  • Data platforms, governance, and AI/ML
  • Core insurance systems (Guidewire, Duck Creek, etc.)
  • Experience with large-scale legacy transformation.

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed in this role. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, skills, responsibilities, knowledge, etc. These may be subject to change and additional functions may be assigned as needed by management.