VP, Cloud Solution Architect

Jobtailor; Illinois; On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Synchrony is seeking a Senior Cloud Data Architect to lead the strategic design of its enterprise cloud data ecosystem, aligning with operational and analytic objectives. You will define the target-state data architecture and drive modernization initiatives across lakehouse, data mesh, and AI-enabled analytics platforms.

You will mentor teams, translate complex architectural decisions into business value, and collaborate with security, risk, data, analytics, and product stakeholders to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• 10+ years of hands-on experience in information technology, data architecture, or enterprise architecture.
• 5+ years designing or migrating data platforms in cloud environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic design of Synchrony's enterprise cloud data ecosystem for operational and analytic objectives.
• Define target-state cloud data architecture, consumption patterns, controls, design standards, and implementation approaches.
• Drive data modernization initiatives to improve accessibility, performance, security, scalability, resilience, and user experience.
• Provide architecture thought leadership across cloud data platforms, lakehouse and data mesh patterns, event-driven architecture, API-enabled data sharing, semantic layers, and AI/analytics ecosystems.
• Shape and maintain target-state architecture and modernization roadmaps aligned with business priorities and enterprise data strategy.
• Support architectural evaluations and trade-off decisions involving cloud-native services, integration patterns, storage models, and cost optimization.

Skills

Cloud Data Architecture

Data Modernization

Agile Methodologies

AWS/GCP Experience

Data Governance & Security

Stakeholder Collaboration

Education

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

10+ years hands-on experience in related roles

Tools

JIRA

Containerization

Microservices

Event-Driven Architecture

API-Enabled Data Sharing

Job description

• Lead the strategic design of Synchrony's enterprise cloud data ecosystem supporting operational and analytic objectives
• Define target-state cloud data architecture, consumption patterns, controls, design standards, and implementation approaches
• Drive data modernization initiatives that improve accessibility, performance, security, scalability, resilience, business usability, and user experience
• Provide architecture thought leadership across cloud data platforms, lakehouse and data mesh patterns, event-driven architecture, API-enabled data sharing, semantic layers, and AI/analytics ecosystems
• Shape and maintain target-state architecture and modernization roadmaps aligned with business priorities and enterprise data strategy
• Support architectural evaluations and trade-off decisions involving cloud-native services, integration patterns, storage models, query performance, access patterns, security, resiliency, and cost optimization
• Partner with senior technology, business, security, risk, data, analytics, and product stakeholders to assess current environments and identify modernization opportunities
• Establish and promote architecture principles, design patterns, reference architectures, standards, and reusable migration frameworks
• Influence cross-functional enterprise architecture, engineering, product, analytics, and platform teams by translating architecture decisions into business value, user impact, options, risks, dependencies, and recommendations
• Mentor architects and engineering teams on cloud-native data design, migration patterns, consumption optimization, operational readiness, emerging cloud practices, and modern data architecture
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Data Management, or related field with 8+ years of experience in information technology, data architecture, enterprise architecture, cloud architecture, or related technology roles OR, in lieu of the bachelor's degree, a minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in one of these roles
• 5+ years of applied experience designing, modernizing, or migrating data platforms in cloud environments
• Experience with cloud-native data platforms, data lakes, lakehouse architectures, data warehousing, IAM, security, data protection, data integration, and analytics ecosystems
• Experience defining target-state architecture, modernization roadmaps, reference architectures, design patterns, and implementation standards
• Agile experience using JIRA or similar Agile tools
• Ability to work with globally located Agile teams working in different shifts
• Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required
• Prior experience in a credit card, banking, or fintech company
• Knowledge of AWS, GCP, or similar cloud platforms
• Familiarity with containerized and microservices-based ecosystems
• Proficiency in cloud automation and orchestration tools and techniques
• Experience building environments for or working with data-driven models
• Experience handling sensitive data in highly regulated environments
• Experience implementing complex and innovative solutions
• Deep knowledge of SAFe and experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives at enterprise scale
• Track record of leading and delivering high-impact business and technology transformation programs
• Must be results-oriented, demonstrate ownership and bias for action, and have a continuous improvement mindset
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be willing to take a drug test, undergo a background investigation, and submit fingerprints
• Must satisfy Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act
• Legal authorization to work in the U.S. required
• Synchrony will not sponsor employment visas for this opening

Core Competencies

Demonstrates expertise in cloud data architecture, including the design and modernization of data platforms, while effectively collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive strategic initiatives. Proficient in cloud-native technologies and data ecosystems, ensuring compliance and security in highly regulated environments.

Highest-signal resume keywords

• Cloud Data Architecture
• Data Modernization Initiatives
• Agile Methodologies
• AWS or GCP Experience
• Data Governance and Security

ATS Optimization Keywords

Hard Skills

• Data Architecture
• Cloud-Native Data Platforms
• Data Lakes
• Lakehouse Architectures
• Data Warehousing
• Data Integration
• Analytics Ecosystems
• Cloud Automation
• Orchestration Tools
• Design Patterns

Soft Skills

• Excellent Communication Skills
• Mentoring
• Results-Oriented
• Ownership
• Continuous Improvement Mindset

Industry Keywords

• Credit Card
• Banking
• Fintech
• Regulated Environments
• SAFe

Tools & Technologies

• JIRA
• Agile Tools
• Containerization
• Microservices
• Event-Driven Architecture
• API-Enabled Data Sharing