Enterprise Architect -Banking & FS

Role Summary

We are looking for a senior Enterprise Architect with deep banking domain expertise to partner with our Client Partners & Client Relationship Managers in shaping solutions, driving proactive proposals, and winning new and expanded business with banking clients.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Relationship Managers and Client Partners to understand client priorities and translate them into differentiated technology solutions
• Lead end-to-end solution design for RFPs, RFIs, and RFQs, including architecture, approach, estimates, assumptions, and risk
• Develop proactive proposals and point-of-view papers on topics such as core modernization, cloud migration, digital banking, payments, data and AI, and regulatory technology
• Present solutions and architecture to client CIOs, CTOs, and business and technology leaders
• Define target-state architectures, roadmaps, and transformation strategies for banking clients
• Collaborate with delivery, practice, and domain teams to ensure solutions are feasible, cost-effective, and delivery-ready
• Run architecture workshops and discovery sessions with clients
• Keep current on banking technology trends, competitors, fintech disruption, and regulatory shifts
• Contribute reusable assets, accelerators, reference architectures, and solution playbooks

Required Qualifications

• 20+ years in IT, with 5+ years in an enterprise or solution architecture role
• Strong banking domain background (retail, commercial, or wealth), ideally including time at a bank, a banking technology vendor, or a systems integrator
• Hands-on knowledge in one of the areas - core banking platforms (e.g., Temenos, FIS, Fiserv, Jack Henry, Finacle), payments (ISO 20022, real-time payments), lending, and digital channels
• Experience with cloud architecture (AWS / Azure,), APIs and microservices, integration patterns, and data platforms
• Working knowledge of banking regulation and security (e.g., PCI-DSS, SOX, FFIEC, AML/KYC)
• Proven experience responding to complex RFPs and building winning solution narratives
• Excellent communication and executive presentation skills, with a track record of working alongside sales and account teams

Required Experience

· Minimum 10 years of experience in a client facing role in a consulting firm or an account/engagement management role in the IT professional services offshore/outsourcing industry, within BFS vertical.

· Excellent ability and aptitude to influence and communicate effectively with business stakeholders up to the C-Suite

· Ability to interface at all levels of an organization

· Excellent oral and written communication skills and executive presentation and persuasion skills are required

· Bachelor’s degree

Preferred Experience

· MS or MBA degree

· Strong background in a project environment and application development in the BFS vertical.

· Proven ability to contribute to new business development efforts and to lead and manage multiple tasks in a dynamic environment

· Must be detail oriented and able to manage and maintain all facets of complex assignments.

· Demonstrable problem-solving abilities with the aptitude to identify strategic solutions to business problems with enterprise-wide implications

· Demonstrate the flexibility to work among diverse corporate environments, industries, and technical and non-technical audiences

Top Reasons to Join Our Team

Excellent compensation/benefits. A strong financial incentive package that includes a solid base salary with a highly attractive bonus plan. Further incentives include award programs and excellent benefits package. Wide exposure to industry, product, and functional standard methodologies; as well as outstanding teams supporting your sales pursuits. Encouraging management team that rewards initiative & success. Exciting, industry leading practice where you can truly build a long-term career. Congenial, collaborative, and goal-oriented environment; the opportunity to work with and learn from a diverse, highly experienced team of business professionals. Tremendous opportunities for growth with a real career path promoting career advancement.

Salary and Other Compensation:

The annual base salary for this position is between $175,000-$220,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizant’s discretionary annual bonus program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant’s applicable plans.

Benefits: Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

A Good fit for the Cognizant culture

A person who possesses a true passion for changing organizations for the better, and desires to do so within a goal, yet professional atmosphere filled with business professionals who all manifest a belief in partnership, innovation, and excellence. Our “Cultural Value Drivers” are well-known and clearly communicated within the organization: Open, Visible, Motivated, Empowered, Opportunity-Filled, Flexible & Collaborative.