Senior Director, AI Strategy & Architecture

Are you ready to shape the future of AI in the People Function? As the AI Strategy & Architecture Leader , you will spearhead the design, governance, and implementation of our cutting-edge AI ecosystem. This is your chance to define the technical architecture and governance models that will enable us to deploy next-generation AI capabilities across HR safely and effectively.

In this pivotal role, you will collaborate closely with IT, Enterprise Architecture, Cybersecurity, Legal, and Risk teams to build a robust AI foundation that accelerates People transformation while safeguarding our organization from risks. If you have a passion for technology and a knack for strategic decision-making, we want to hear from you!

• Lead the AI platform strategy for the People function, designing AI-enabled experiences for employees and leaders.
• Own the selection and evaluation of platforms for our AI assistant ecosystem.
• Define a modular AI architecture for secure integrations with systems like Workday and Service Now.
• Establish standards for model usage, data access, and system reliability.

• Act as the primary liaison for AI-related technology and governance decisions.
• Negotiate data access patterns and integration pathways.
• Represent the People function in enterprise-level AI forums and architecture reviews.
• Ensure alignment of the AI strategy with enterprise roadmaps while fostering innovative pilot opportunities.

• Maintain the AI governance framework, including compliance standards and safety guardrails.
• Define automated action guardrails and human-in-the-loop patterns.
• Partner with Legal and Cyber teams to assess and mitigate risks.
• Establish monitoring mechanisms for reliability and ethical deployment.

• Lead the technical evaluation of AI vendors and platforms.
• Collaborate with Digital Experience teams to ensure adherence to design and content standards.
• Define integration expectations and oversee technical specialists supporting the platform.

• Partner with Experience Architecture on workflow logic and decision boundaries.
• Support teams in AI-enablement opportunities while ensuring system integrity.
• Provide technical guidance for AI-enabled processes and workflows.

• Build a multi-year AI roadmap for the People Function, focusing on platform evolution and capability expansion.
• Evaluate emerging technologies to inform strategic decision-making.
• Ensure the AI ecosystem evolves toward greater automation and enhanced employee experience.
• Note: 20% travel may be required if not local to Milwaukee Headquarters.

• 10+ years in technical architecture, AI strategy, or enterprise systems design.
• 5+ years of leadership experience.
• Strong fluency in AI technologies and enterprise architecture.
• Proven success in designing and governing enterprise-scale digital platforms.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills in multi-stakeholder environments.
• Experience with HR technology ecosystems (Workday, Service Now) is preferred.
• Note: 20% travel may be required if not local to Milwaukee Headquarters.

Pay Range:

• Start: $
• End: $

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

• Structure 110: $ - $
• Structure 115: $ - $

We believe in fairness and transparency. Final salaries are based on various factors, including skills, experience, and location.

At Northwestern Mutual, we’re committed to creating a culture of belonging where every employee can thrive. Enjoy first-class perks, benefits, and the opportunity to grow your career with a best-in-class company that puts our clients' interests at the center of all we do.

• Concierge service
• Employee resource groups

We’re excited about the potential you bring to Northwestern Mutual. Start your journey with us today!