Vice President, Data and AI Architect

Prudential Financial; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 222,000 - 333,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus potential

401(k) plan

Medical insurance

Pension plan

Wellness programs

Job summary

Prudential Financial is seeking a Vice President, Enterprise Data & AI Architect to define and drive the enterprise data and AI strategy across platforms, governance, and capabilities. The role bridges enterprise architecture with CDAIO leadership to deliver measurable business value.

As a hands-on leader, you will shape target architectures, guide platform evolution, and collaborate with executives and delivery teams to accelerate scalable Data & AI initiatives within a large global enterprise.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred in Computer Science, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Management, or related discipline.
• Significant experience leading enterprise data/AI architecture, software engineering, or technology strategy initiatives in large, complex orgs.
• Proven track record balancing innovation, governance, and business outcomes in transformational programs.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve the Enterprise Data & AI Architecture vision, target-state architecture, and long-term roadmap.
• Lead evolution of the enterprise Data & AI ecosystem, including platform strategy, governance, and capability roadmaps.
• Shape Data & AI platforms, data products, lakehouse capabilities, metadata management, data quality, governance, and AI platform services.
• Establish enterprise standards, reference architectures, and governance frameworks for scalable Data & AI capabilities.

Skills

Enterprise Data Architecture

AI Platform

Data Governance

Platform Engineering

Architecture Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree in CS/Engineering/AI

Tools

Data platforms

Lakehouse

Generative AI

Job description

Job Classification:

Technology - Architecture Data and Artificial Intelligence are rapidly becoming foundational capabilities that will transform how Prudential builds software, operates platforms, serves customers, empowers employees, and creates business value. Prudential is seeking a Vice President, Enterprise Data & AI Architect to help define and build the future of Data and AI across the enterprise. Reporting to the Chief Architect, this highly visible leadership role sits at the intersection of enterprise architecture, data architecture, AI strategy, platform engineering, and business transformation. The position plays a unique role in Prudential’s technology leadership model, connecting Enterprise Architecture and the Chief Data & AI Office to help ensure a unified approach to enterprise data, AI strategy, platforms, governance, and execution. We are looking for a leader who combines strategic vision with deep technical expertise and a passion for staying at the forefront of innovation. Prudential is actively investing in strategic Data & AI accelerators focused on transforming how we build software, operate platforms, empower employees, serve customers, and grow the business. The successful candidate will help lead the architectural evolution of these capabilities, ensuring that innovations such as modern data platforms, Generative AI, AI Assistants, Agentic AI, and emerging human + AI operating models translate into scalable enterprise solutions that deliver measurable business value. Success will require balancing innovation with the realities of a large global enterprise. The successful candidate will help Prudential unlock value from modern data and AI capabilities while navigating an environment that includes mainframe platforms, multiple systems of record, complex identity resolution challenges, and decades of critical business data.

Your Team & Role

As a member of both the Enterprise Architecture Leadership Team and the Chief Data & AI Office (CDAIO) Leadership Team, this leader helps ensure Prudential’s data architecture, AI strategy, platforms, and governance evolve as a unified enterprise capability. This position was created to bridge strategy and execution, connecting long-term architectural direction with the practical realities of building and scaling enterprise Data & AI capabilities. This is not a traditional architecture role centered on review and governance. The successful candidate will share responsibility for defining enterprise strategy, architectural direction, platform capabilities, governance frameworks, and long-term technology roadmaps while remaining closely connected to delivery. The role serves as Prudential’s architectural leader for:

1. Enterprise Data & AI Strategy
2. Enterprise Data Architecture
3. Data Platforms and Lakehouse Architectures
4. AI Platform Architecture
5. Agentic AI and Emerging AI Capabilities
6. Data and AI Governance

What You Can Expect on a Typical Day

You will serve as an enterprise thought leader, strategist, builder, and trusted advisor helping Prudential navigate one of the most significant technology shifts in its history.

• Define and evolve Prudential’s Enterprise Data & AI Architecture vision, target-state architecture, and long-term roadmap.
• Collaboratively lead, with CDAIO leadership, the evolution of Prudential’s enterprise Data & AI ecosystem, including platform strategy, governance, and capability roadmaps.
• Help shape the evolution of Prudential’s enterprise data and AI platforms, including data products, lakehouse capabilities, metadata management, data quality, governance, and AI platform services.
• Establish enterprise standards, architectural patterns, reference architectures, and governance frameworks that enable scalable, reusable, and trusted Data & AI capabilities.
• Lead the evaluation and adoption strategy for emerging Data & AI technologies and determine how new capabilities can be responsibly introduced into the enterprise.
• Define architectural approaches that enable the adoption of Generative AI, Agentic AI, AI Assistants, and future AI capabilities as the market continues to evolve.
• Participate actively in architecture reviews, engineering discussions, platform design sessions, and delivery activities to help accelerate implementation and remove technical obstacles.
• Build and develop a high-performing Data & AI Architecture capability that promotes technical excellence, innovation, and continuous learning.

The Skills & Expertise You Bring

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Information Management, or a related discipline preferred.
• Significant experience leading enterprise architecture, data architecture, software engineering, AI engineering, platform engineering, or technology strategy initiatives within large, complex organizations.
• Demonstrated success leading transformational technology initiatives that require balancing innovation, scale, governance, and business outcomes.

Enterprise Data & AI Leadership

• Demonstrated experience leading enterprise Data & AI transformations and helping organizations translate emerging technologies into measurable business value.
• Deep understanding of modern Data & AI ecosystems, including data platforms, lakehouse architectures, data governance, Generative AI, Agentic AI, and enterprise AI platforms.
• Track record of moving organizations beyond experimentation to establish scalable, repeatable capabilities that drive productivity, customer value, and business impact.
• Practical experience shaping Data & AI platforms, engineering approaches, governance models, and operating practices that enable enterprise adoption.
• Credibility as a Data & AI thought leader who can engage executives, architects, engineers, product teams, and business leaders in shaping future strategy and technology investments.

Technical Leadership & Delivery

• Comfortable operating as a hands‑on technology leader, engaging directly with engineers and platform teams during active delivery.
• Experience reviewing architecture implementations, platform configurations, engineering designs, and code contributions.
• Ability to quickly diagnose technical challenges, remove delivery obstacles, and provide pragmatic guidance to engineering teams.
• Passion for remaining technically current and personally engaged in emerging technologies and architectural practices.

Who Will Be Successful Here

The most successful candidate will not view architecture as a review process. They will be energized by building. They will combine executive leadership with genuine technical curiosity and remain immersed in the technologies, platforms, engineering practices, and market developments shaping the future of Data & AI. They will remain actively engaged in technical delivery. While operating at an executive level, they will be comfortable reviewing designs, evaluating implementations, troubleshooting technical challenges, and working directly with engineering teams to accelerate outcomes. They will be equally comfortable shaping strategy with executives, defining target-state architectures, and participating directly in technical discussions that result in tangible enterprise capabilities.

What Success Looks Like

Early Success (First 6–12 Months)

• Establish the target-state Enterprise Data & AI Architecture and supporting roadmap.
• Define the architectural foundations for Prudential’s emerging Agentic AI ecosystem and enterprise AI platform strategy.
• Advance the enterprise data platform strategy, including modern data architecture patterns, governance capabilities, and integration standards.

Long-Term Success (12–24 Months)

• A clearly articulated and broadly adopted enterprise Data & AI vision and architecture roadmap.
• A deeply integrated Enterprise Architecture and CDAIO leadership model that enables shared decisions and accelerated delivery.
• Enterprise Data & AI platforms, governance frameworks, and architectural patterns becoming the preferred foundation for innovation across Prudential.
• Accelerated delivery of Data & AI capabilities that create measurable business value.
• A mature framework for responsible, secure, and trusted AI adoption.

You’ll Love Working Here

Because you can join a team where your leadership will help define how Data and Artificial Intelligence transform one of the world’s leading financial services institutions. You will help shape Prudential’s Data & AI strategy, platform investments, engineering practices, and architectural direction while remaining close to the teams bringing those capabilities to life. This is an opportunity to build something transformational: the enterprise Data & AI capabilities, platforms, governance, and operating models that will enable Prudential’s future growth, productivity, and competitive advantage.

What we offer you:

• Prudential is required by state specific laws to include the salary range for this role when hiring a resident in applicable locations. The salary range for this role is from $221,900.00 to $333,000.00. Specific pricing for the role may vary within the above range based on many factors including geographic location, candidate experience, and skills.
• Market competitive base salaries, with a yearly bonus potential at every level.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, Paid Time Off (PTO), and leave of absences, such as parental and military leave.
• 401(k) plan with company match (up to 4%).
• Company-funded pension plan.
• Wellness Programs including up to $1,600 a year for reimbursement of items purchased to support personal wellbeing needs.
• Work/Life Resources to help support topics such as parenting, housing, senior care, finances, pets, legal matters, education, emotional and mental health, and career development.
• Education Benefit to help finance traditional college enrollment toward obtaining an approved degree and many accredited certificate programs.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan: Shares can be purchased at 85% of the lower of two prices (Beginning or End of the purchase period).
• Eligibility to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program is subject to the rules governing the program, whereby an award, if any, depends on various factors including, without limitation, individual and organizational performance.
• Some of the above benefits may not apply to part‑time employees scheduled to work less than 20 hours per week.

Prudential is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, marital status, age, veteran status, domestic partner status, medical condition or any other characteristic protected by law.

To maintain the integrity and security of our hiring process, Prudential may use identity verification technologies. Your consent will be obtained before any verification takes place. If you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please email [e-mail]. If you are experiencing a technical issue with your application or an assessment, please email [e-mail] to request assistance.

Company Background

Prudential Financial, Inc. of the United States is not affiliated with Prudential plc. which is headquartered in the United Kingdom. Prudential is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetics, disability, marital status, age, veteran status, domestic partner status, medical condition or any other characteristic protected by law.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global financial services leader and premier active global investment manager with approximately $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of Dec. 31, 2023, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.

Prudential’s diverse and talented employees help make lives better and create financial opportunity for more people by expanding access to investing, insurance, and retirement security.

Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for 150 years. For more information please visit news.prudential.com.

Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace

Prudential Financial, Inc. serves its customers in more than 40 countries and territories, and we seek talented, creative individuals from a variety of backgrounds, worldviews, and life circumstances to work with us. We are focused on creating a fully inclusive culture, where all employees feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work. We don’t just accept difference—we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it. At Prudential, employees have a unique opportunity to build their career path by owning their development, their career, and their future. We encourage employees to hone their skills and explore continued opportunities within Prudential.

PGIM

PGIM, the global asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), is a global investment manager with US $1.3 trillion in assets under management as of Dec. 31, 2023. With offices in 18 countries, PGIM’s businesses offer a range of investment solutions for retail and institutional investors across a broad range of asset classes, including public fixed income, private fixed income, fundamental equity, quantitative equity, real estate, and alternatives. For more information about PGIM, visit pgim.com.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI) of the United States is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential plc, incorporated in the United Kingdom, or with Prudential Assurance Company, a subsidiary of M&G plc, incorporated in the United Kingdom.

For more information please visit news.prudential.com.

PGIM Inc.

PGIM Inc. is the principal asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (PFI), a company incorporated and with its principal place of business in the United States. PFI of the United States is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential plc, incorporated in the United Kingdom or with Prudential Assurance Company, a subsidiary of M&G plc, incorporated in the United Kingdom.

Our Commitment to an Inclusive Workplace

Prudential Financial, Inc. serves its customers in more than 40 countries and territories, and we seek talented, creative individuals from a variety of backgrounds, worldviews, and life circumstances to work with us. We are focused on creating a fully inclusive culture, where all employees feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work. We don’t just accept difference—we celebrate it, support it, and thrive on it. At Prudential, employees have a unique opportunity to build their career path by owning their development, their career, and their future. We encourage employees to hone their skills and explore continued opportunities within Prudential.