EVP Enterprise Architecture & AI Strategy (gn)

Our client is a leading international group with more than 100,000 employees and a strong global footprint in a stable and profitable industry. The company is pursuing an ambitious digital and AI-driven transformation while operating within a complex technology environment. With strong executive sponsorship, the organization is modernizing its technology landscape through a Brownfield approach — evolving from existing systems and architectures toward a harmonized and future-proven architecture that strikes the right balance between stability and innovation speed, enabling real value creation.

Tasks

As EVP Enterprise Architecture & AI Strategy , you will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s technology future by transforming a globally distributed, heterogeneous architecture into a coherent, future-proof ecosystem. Reporting directly to the Group CTO, you will define the enterprise-wide architecture and AI strategy, establish governance and standards, and ensure that technology decisions drive measurable business value.

This highly influential leadership role includes direct responsibility for over 50 experts (e.g. solution, security, data, domain architects), indirect influence over a developer community of several thousand engineers, and coordination of architecture teams across the globe.

Key responsibilities include:

• Develop and execute a global Enterprise Architecture and AI strategy that modernizes existing systems and platforms through a Brownfield transformation approach.
• Lead the global architecture organization and foster a strong community culture across all business units and regions.
• Drive the integration of AI/Agentic AI, data and analytics capabilities into the enterprise architecture to enable new business models and operational excellence.
• Oversee the modernization of complex SAP landscapes, including global S/4HANA programs and their integration into hybrid cloud environments.
• Define and enforce architecture governance, frameworks, and standards across the enterprise.
• Partner closely with senior business and IT leaders to align transformation priorities and secure buy-in at all levels.
• Advise the Executive Board on technology evolution, AI enablement, and innovation opportunities derived from existing assets.

Requirements

You are a globally experienced technology executive who thrives in complex, multi-layered organizations. You bring a balance of visionary thinking and pragmatic execution, with the ability to transform legacy structures into scalable, modern technology ecosystems.

Core qualifications:

• Extensive executive leadership experience in enterprise architecture, technology strategy, or digital transformation within large, multinational organizations or professional background in top-tier consulting firms, combining strategic insight with operational impact.
• Proven success in modernizing and integrating existing IT landscapes (Brownfield environments).
• Deep expertise in global SAP architectures and S/4HANA transformation programs, ideally within complex corporate ecosystems.
• Strong background in modern cloud, data, and AI architectures, with the ability to align innovation and standardization.
• Experience managing large global teams and architecture communities across multiple countries and time zones.
• Excellent influencing skills and a collaborative leadership style.
• Fluent in English; additional languages are beneficial.

Benefits

This role offers a rare opportunity to lead one of the most strategically significant technology transformation programs in a global organization. Rather than building from scratch, you will shape the future from within — orchestrating modernization, integration, and AI enablement across an existing enterprise landscape of extraordinary scale.

You will have full executive visibility, a global mandate, and the freedom to define the architectural blueprint for the company’s digital decade ahead. The compensation package is commensurate with the level.

We look forward to receiving your CV and to meeting you. A cover letter is not required.