Enterprise Architect - Consumer Lending

Solu is seeking an Enterprise Architect - Consumer Lending to lead the transformation of a complex, end-to-end lending technology ecosystem, including auto, mortgage, HELOC, credit cards, indirect, and direct lending. This is a high-impact role where you will define enterprise architecture strategy, guide solution design, and influence modernization initiatives that shape the future of lending platforms. You will partner closely with senior business and technology leaders as a trusted advisor, helping deliver scalable, secure, and innovative solutions that improve both operational efficiency and customer experience.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: Define and evolve enterprise architecture strategies and roadmaps that align business priorities, regulatory requirements, and long-term technology vision.
• High-Level Design: Develop high-level architectural models and frameworks that support secure, scalable, and resilient solutions across the bank, aligned with the strategic direction established by Enterprise Architecture function.
• Detailed Solutions Architecture: Translate strategic objectives into actionable solution architectures that provide clear direction to delivery and engineering teams.
• Regulatory & Risk Alignment: Ensure architectural solutions comply with financial industry regulations, internal risk frameworks, and data privacy standards, supporting auditability and operational integrity.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with business leaders, product owners, and technology teams to ensure architectural alignment across client services, digital platforms, and core banking systems.
• Implementation Leadership: Provide architectural oversight and governance throughout the solution delivery lifecycle, ensuring adherence to enterprise standards and successful on-time execution of high-impact initiatives.
• Trusted Advisor: Build strong relationships with management, providing expert advice and insights to support decision-making.
• Communication: Communicate complex architectural concepts clearly and persuasively to both technical and non-technical audiences, fostering alignment and informed decision-making.
• Vendor & Partner Engagement: Collaborate with external technology providers and service partners to ensure solutions meet enterprise standards for performance, cost-effectiveness, and agility in a highly regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, IT, Engineering, or related field
• 7 years in cloud architecture, with 3 years focused on Consumer Lending related technology within a financial institution.
• Demonstrated deep experience across consumer lending domains including mortgage, HELOC, credit cards, and direct/indirect lending products
• Knowledge of institutional banking products and services including capital markets, investment management, structured finance, and M&A
• Experience in driving and delivering innovation within the realm of financial services
• Working knowledge of architecture diagramming practices, architectural frameworks, and/or enterprise architecture tools
• Work experience in software engineering, software delivery and/or solution architecture including developing and integrating applications using relevant software architecture principles and patterns
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence both technical and non-technical leadership teams
• Must be located in the Eastern or Central U.S. time zones and able to travel to Buffalo, NY every 4–6 weeks for onsite collaboration (Monday–Thursday)

Expected Knowledge

• Consumer lending domain knowledge (loan origination, servicing, credit risk, and customer experience)
• Modern architecture patterns including cloud, APIs, microservices, and data platforms.
• Strong understanding of security, privacy, and regulatory frameworks (FFIEC, SOX, GLBA)
• Experience with enterprise architecture practices including capability modeling and value streams
• Knowledge of data architecture, integration patterns, and enterprise governance
• Familiarity with lending platforms such as Encompass, MSP, or equivalent systems