VP, Senior Cloud Data Architecture & Migration Leader

Synchrony Financial · Stamford Hub · $170,000–$290,000 (stated in the posting)

Role Summary/Purpose:

We are looking for a VP, Senior Cloud Data Architect & Migration Leader to lead enterprise-scale cloud data migration strategy, execution, and product enablement for Synchrony’s modern data ecosystem. This leader will be accountable for shaping and driving the modernization of legacy data platforms into secure, scalable, resilient, high-performing cloud-native data capabilities that support operational workloads, AI / advanced analytics, regulatory needs, and superior user experiences.

This role will define and lead the end-to-end cloud data migration roadmap, strategy, consumption model, governance approach, and execution framework across cross-functional teams. The ideal candidate will partner with senior business, technology, architecture, security, risk, data, analytics, product, and operations stakeholders to prioritize migration outcomes, improve data accessibility and performance, accelerate adoption of reusable cloud data capabilities, and ensure solutions are aligned to enterprise Synchrony strategy and measurable business value. The candidate will bring strong stakeholder influence, product mindset, delivery leadership, and technical depth, while leveraging AI and automation tools to drive efficiency, innovation, and scalable execution.

Essential Responsibilities:

Lead enterprise cloud data migration strategy, roadmap, and execution across complex modernization initiatives, ensuring alignment with business priorities, enterprise data strategy, operational resilience, regulatory expectations, consumption performance, and long-term scalability.
Define and manage the strategic vision, capabilities, adoption strategy, and value roadmap for cloud data platforms and data products, with a focus on usability, discoverability, performance, self-service, and superior end-user experience.
Provide senior leadership and architecture direction across cloud data platforms, lakehouse and data mesh patterns, event-driven architecture, API-enabled data sharing, semantic layers, AI / advanced analytics ecosystems, and operational data consumption patterns.
Drive prioritization, sequencing, and execution of migration initiatives across legacy data ecosystems, balancing business value, technical dependencies, platform readiness, risk, cost, performance, resiliency, and change impacts.
Partner with senior business, technology, security, risk, data, analytics, operations, and product stakeholders to assess current-state environments, identify modernization opportunities, resolve strategic trade-offs, and deliver measurable outcomes.
Establish and scale reusable migration frameworks, product operating models, architecture principles, design patterns, reference architectures, governance controls, and implementation standards for secure, governed, high-performing cloud data solutions.
Influence and align cross-functional teams across enterprise architecture, engineering, product, analytics, platform, and delivery organizations by translating complex technology decisions into clear business value, user impact, execution plans, risks, dependencies, and strategic recommendations.
Lead executive-level communications, status reporting, roadmap reviews, and decision-making forums to drive transparency, accountability, issue resolution, and alignment across enterprise stakeholders.
Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to architects, product owners, engineering teams, and delivery leaders on cloud-native data design, migration strategy, product management, consumption optimization, operational readiness, and modern data architecture practices.
Continuously evaluate emerging cloud, AI, automation, data architecture, and product delivery trends to proactively evolve the roadmap, improve execution efficiency, and maintain a modern, scalable enterprise data environment.
Perform other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

Qualifications/Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Data Management, Business, or related field with 8+ years of experience in information technology, data architecture, enterprise architecture, cloud architecture, data product management, technology transformation, or related roles OR, in lieu of a bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 10+ years of hands-on experience in one of these areas.
5+ years of applied experience leading or delivering data platform modernization, cloud migration, enterprise data architecture, data product, or large-scale technology transformation initiatives.
Demonstrated experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives involving cloud-native data platforms, data lakes, lakehouse architectures, data warehousing, data integration, data governance, security, IAM, data protection, analytics ecosystems, and operational data capabilities.
Proven experience defining and executing enterprise roadmaps, migration strategies, product capability plans, adoption strategies, implementation standards, and measurable business outcomes.
Experience leading senior stakeholder engagement, executive communications, prioritization discussions, and decision-making across business, technology, architecture, security, risk, product, data, and analytics teams.
Strong understanding of data consumption patterns, query performance, user experience, data discoverability, resiliency, cost optimization, controls, and operational readiness in cloud data environments.
Agile experience using JIRA or similar Agile tools, with demonstrated ability to lead globally distributed Agile teams and manage work across multiple priorities, time zones, and delivery cadences.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, matrixed environment while driving clarity, accountability, alignment, and execution across teams.
Deep knowledge of SAFe Agile and experience leading complex, cross-functional initiatives at enterprise scale.
Ability and flexibility to travel for business as required

Desired Characteristics:

Prior work experience in a credit card, banking, financial services, or fintech company.
Deep knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS, GCP, or similar, including cloud-native data services, modern integration patterns, containerized platforms, and microservices-based ecosystems.
Experience leading data product strategy, product operating models, platform adoption, user experience improvements, and consumption-based performance optimization.
Proficiency with cloud automation, orchestration, CI/CD, infrastructure-as-code, and AI-enabled productivity or engineering tools.
Experience building environments for or working with AI, machine learning, advanced analytics, data-driven models, and high-availability operational workloads.
Experience managing sensitive data in a highly regulated environment, including strong knowledge of security, privacy, data protection, access management, risk, and compliance considerations.
Demonstrated implementation of complex, innovative, and enterprise-scale data and technology transformation solutions.
Demonstrated track record of leading high-impact business and technology transformation programs with measurable outcomes.
Ability to define value, prioritize capabilities, drive adoption, and improve customer, associate, and business-user experiences.
Results-oriented leader with high ownership, strong bias for action, sound judgment, and a continuous improvement mindset.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to influence senior executives, align stakeholders, manage expectations, and simplify complex technical topics for broad audiences.

Grade/Level: 14

The salary range for this position is 170,000.00 - 290,000.00 USD Annual and is eligible for an annual bonus based on individual and company performance.

Actual compensation offered within the posted salary range will be based upon work experience, skill level or knowledge.

Salaries are adjusted according to market in CA, NY Metro and Seattle.

Our Way of Working:

We’re proud to offer you flexibility. At Synchrony, our way of working allows you to have the option to work from home near one of our Hubs or come into one of our offices. You will be required to commute to your nearest Hub (either virtual or physical) for in-person engagement activities such as regular business or team meetings, training and culture events.

*Field Sales and some Commercial team roles may have varied location requirements based upon partner obligations or preferences.

Eligibility Requirements:

You must be 18 years or older
You must have a high school diploma or equivalent
You must be willing to take a drug test, submit to a background investigation and submit fingerprints as part of the onboarding process
You must be able to satisfy the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act.
New hires (Level 4-7) must have 9 months of continuous service with the company before they are eligible to post on other roles. Once this new hire time in position requirement is met, the associate will have a minimum 6 months’ time in position before they can post for future non-exempt roles. Employees, level 8 or greater, must have at least 18 months’ time in position before they can post. All internal employees must consistently meet performance expectations and have approval from your manager to post (or the approval of your manager and HR if you don’t meet the time in position or performance expectations).

Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. We will not sponsor individuals for employment visas, now or in the future, for this job opening. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Our Commitment:

When you join us, you’ll be part of an inclusive culture where your individual skills, experience, and voice are not only heard – but valued. Together, we’re building a future where we can all belong, connect, and turn ideals into action. More than 50% of our workforce is engaged in our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), where community and passion intersect to offer a safe space to learn and grow.

This starts when you choose to apply for a role at Synchrony. We ensure all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. We’re proud to have an award-winning culture for all.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice:

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
If you need special accommodations, please call our Career Support Line so that we can discuss your specific situation. We can be reached at 1-866-301-5627. Representatives are available from 8am – 5pm Monday to Friday, Central Standard Time

Job Family Group:

Information Technology

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