Solution Architect, Enterprise HR & Tech Tools

Workday Talent Hub; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 115,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Trust is seeking an experienced and visionary Solution Architect to lead technology strategy, architecture, and transformation initiatives supporting our HR Talent Transformation journey within the HR, Workplace Services, and Enterprise Technology ecosystems.

The Architect will define future-state architecture, portfolio strategy, and multi-year roadmaps, partnering with business leaders, product owners, and security teams to align investments with enterprise standards and modernization

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical field required; 10+ years in solution/enterprise architecture or related leadership roles.
• Experience building roadmaps, strategies, and modernization plans for enterprise applications.
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience with SaaS platforms, cloud technologies, integrations, and enterprise ecosystems.
• Proven ability to influence technology and business decisions at senior levels.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute technology strategies and roadmaps supporting HR Talent Transformation and workforce portfolio.
• Lead architecture direction for HR Talent Transformation initiatives, including Workday and related platforms.
• Partner with business leaders and technology teams to align investments with priorities and standards.
• Drive portfolio rationalization, modernization, and consolidation to reduce complexity and costs.
• Define and govern architecture standards, patterns, and principles across apps, data, AI, security and cloud.
• Evaluate new technologies and vendors to support long-term goals and operational excellence.
• Lead governance activities ensuring alignment with standards, risk, and regulatory needs.
• Champion shared capabilities, reusable services, automation, analytics, and AI-enabled solutions.
• Serve as the primary architecture advisor to senior leaders, guiding roadmaps and decisions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to architects, engineers, and owners to foster innovation.

Skills

Solution architecture

Enterprise architecture

Technology strategy

Stakeholder management

Cloud and SaaS platforms

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related discipline

Tools

Workday

Microsoft technologies

Cloud architectures

Job description

About Northern Trust

As a global leader in innovative wealth management, asset servicing, asset management and banking services, Northern Trust (Nasdaq: NTRS) is proud to guide the world's most successful individuals, families, corporations and institutions.

Since 1889, we have aligned our efforts with our three guiding Principles That Endure: Service, Expertise, and Integrity. Together, they reflect the three cornerstones of business conduct which we strive to instill in our employees, whom we call partners, and to provide to our clients and the communities we serve worldwide.

With more than 135 years of financial experience and over 24,000 partners, we serve the world's most sophisticated clients using leading technology and exceptional service.

Position Summary

Northern Trust is seeking an experienced and visionary Solution Architect to lead technology strategy, architecture, and transformation initiatives supporting our Human Resources and Workforce technology ecosystem. This role will play a critical part in advancing Northern Trust's HR Talent Transformation journey while providing architecture leadership across key Human Resources, Workplace Services, and Enterprise Technology platforms.

This role serves as a strategic technology leader responsible for defining and executing the future-state architecture, application portfolio strategy, and multi-year technology roadmap that enable Northern Trust's HR transformation objectives. The Architect will partner with business leaders, product owners, architects, engineers, security teams, and vendors to ensure technology investments align with business priorities, enterprise standards, and long-term modernization goals.

The successful candidate will combine solution architecture, portfolio management, technology strategy, and organizational leadership to drive innovation, simplify technology landscapes, and deliver scalable business capabilities across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute technology strategies and roadmaps supporting Northern Trust's HR Talent Transformation initiatives and workforce technology portfolio.
• Lead architecture and technology direction for strategic HR Talent Transformation initiatives, including Workday and related workforce technology platforms.
• Partner with business leaders, product owners, and technology teams to align technology investments with business priorities and enterprise objectives.
• Drive application portfolio rationalization, modernization, and consolidation efforts to reduce complexity, improve user experience, and optimize costs.
• Define and govern enterprise architecture standards, solution patterns, and technology principles across applications, integrations, data, AI, security, and cloud platforms.
• Evaluate new technologies, vendors, and platforms, providing recommendations that support long-term strategic goals and operational excellence.
• Lead architecture and technical governance activities for major initiatives, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards, risk requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Champion the adoption of shared capabilities, reusable services, automation, analytics, and AI-enabled solutions across the portfolio.
• Serve as the primary architecture advisor for senior business and technology leaders, providing strategic guidance on investments, roadmaps, and technology decisions.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship across architects, engineers, consultants, and application owners while fostering innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 10+ years of experience in solution architecture, enterprise architecture, technology consulting, or related technology leadership roles.
• Experience developing technology roadmaps, architecture strategies, and modernization plans for enterprise applications.
• Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives involving multiple business and technology stakeholders.
• Strong communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working with SaaS platforms, cloud technologies, integrations, and enterprise application ecosystems.
• Demonstrated ability to influence technology and business decisions across senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Human Resources, Workplace Services, Corporate Functions, and other large-scale enterprise SaaS platforms within complex global organizations.
• Experience leading application portfolio management, technology modernization, or large-scale SaaS transformation initiatives.
• Experience with Workday, Microsoft technologies, cloud architectures, enterprise SaaS platforms, and data and analytics ecosystems.
• Knowledge of AI technologies, intelligent automation, workforce analytics, and digital experience platforms.
• Experience developing enterprise technology strategies, roadmaps, and architecture standards within complex organizations.
• Experience within financial services or other highly regulated industries.

Salary Range

$114,500 - 194,700 USD

Salary range is a good faith estimate of base pay. Northern Trust provides a comprehensive benefits package including retirement benefits (401k and pension), health and welfare benefits (medical, dental, vision, spending accounts and disability), paid time off, parental and caregiver leave, life & accident insurance, and other voluntary and well-being benefits. Northern Trust also provides a discretionary bonus program that may include an equity component.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. Northern Trust will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work visa status for this opportunity (no sponsorship is available for H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, F-1, J-1, OPT, CPT or any other employment-based visa).

Working with Us

As a Northern Trust partner, you will be part of a flexible and collaborative work culture, which has a strong history of financial strength and stability. Movement within the organization is encouraged, senior leaders are accessible, and you can take pride in working for a company committed to an inclusive workplace and assisting the communities we serve.

Philanthropy is deeply rooted in Northern Trust's history and is an essential element of our culture. Employees around the world give their time and talent to work for the greater good of their communities.

Reasonable Accommodation

Northern Trust is committed to working with and providing adjustments to individuals with health conditions and disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email our HR Service Center at , or alternatively you can discuss your individual requirements with the recruiter you are working with.