Head of Enterprise Architecture & Innovation, MD

Role Overview

FHLBank San Francisco is seeking a Head of Enterprise Architecture & Innovation to serve as the enterprise-level authority for technology standards, architecture governance, and innovation validation. This is a permanent role reporting directly to the CIO, operating as an overlay function across all technology pillars. The Head of Enterprise Architecture will set the guardrails that every technology initiative must operate within — without owning delivery — and will govern the bank's AI architecture, cloud standards, and emerging technology adoption.

• Define and enforce enterprise architecture standards across all technology functions — cloud, platform engineering, data, AI, and application delivery.
• Run the Architecture Review Board (ARB) as a mandatory governance gate for all significant technology decisions. The ARB has authority to block non-compliant designs.
• Develop and maintain reference architectures for cloud infrastructure, data integration, application patterns, and AI systems.
• Own the technology standards library — approved patterns, platforms, integration protocols, and security requirements.
• Conduct architecture assessments of proposed solutions and provide binding guidance before delivery teams commit to implementation.
• Ensure architecture alignment across all 12 business units and technology delivery programs including EDGE, Calypso v18, and AI initiatives.

• Define and enforce AI architecture guardrails — approved models, data handling requirements, access controls, auditability standards, and safety requirements.
• Partner with the CDAO to ensure AI systems are built on architecturally sound and governable foundations.
• Govern the architecture of agentic AI systems, LLM integrations, and automation pipelines to ensure scalability, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Represent architecture in all AI governance forums and the AI Center of Excellence.

• Own the cloud governance framework — AWS architecture standards, landing zone design, guardrail enforcement, and cost governance.
• Partner with the Head of Operational Excellence to ensure cloud engineering follows established architecture patterns.
• Define the cloud adoption roadmap and technology rationalization strategy.
• Govern vendor and platform selection decisions to reduce concentration risk and ensure strategic alignment.

• Lead the innovation validation function — assess emerging technologies before the bank commits to scale.
• Establish a structured pilot-to-production framework that prevents the bank from building on unproven foundations.
• Maintain horizon scanning capability across cloud, AI, fintech, and regulatory technology to inform the CIO and executive team.
• Represent the bank in external technology forums, vendor briefings, and industry architecture working groups.

• Lead and develop a team of solutions architects across cloud, networking, data, AI, and application architecture specialties.
• Build the architecture capability of the organization broadly — not just for the architecture team, but for delivery engineers across all functions.
• Operate as a peer and partner to the CDAO, Head of Operational Excellence, and SVP of Digital & Product Engineering.

• Present architecture strategy, standards adoption, and technology risk posture to the Board of Directors and Technology & Operations Committee.
• Serve as the primary technology architecture authority in FHFA examinations and internal audit reviews.
• Partner with the CISO on security architecture integration and with the CRO on technology risk management.

• 15+ years of progressive technology experience, with at least 5 years in enterprise architecture leadership (Head of Architecture, Chief Architect, VP of Architecture, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated experience operating in a regulated financial institution — banking, insurance, capital markets, or financial services required.
• Proven track record running an enterprise Architecture Review…